Implementation Plan Template
Implementation Plan Template
Create a consistent implementation process with this multi-phase software implementation plan.
Who this template is for
Presales engineers, solution architects, project managers, customer success managers, account managers, and implementation specialists who are responsible for implementation planning or who want to provide strategic implementation plans to customers more quickly and easily.
What this template is for
Create project implementation plans that help customers get started with your product or service by providing an all-in-one resource for all the steps and information they need. Perfect for software implementation, enterprise workflow setup, and structured work plans, this template ensures that implementation goes beyond just initial setup and focuses on driving product adoption into existing workflows.
How to use the template
- Start by creating a free account in Dock.
- Create a new workspace and choose the implementation plan template.
- Customize the template to the level of contact appropriate for the client. Set expectations by introducing the client to the implementation process, giving them clear steps and resources, highlighting key stakeholders, dependencies, deliverables, and success metrics to get buy-in from key decision-makers.
- Save it as a new template for repeatable use across multiple accounts.
- For each new client, create a personalized workspace from your saved template.
- Introduce your client to their workspace early in the relationship to align on goals and communication.
- Continuously update and reference the workspace to track progress, manage renewals, and keep the relationship on track.
What’s in this template?
Overview
Use the overview section to introduce the project, specify the product being implemented, and provide contact details for easy access.
Implementation Plan
This section is for outlining the approximate timeframe for implementation and the expected completion date. This section also introduces the more detailed step-by-step guide in the following section.
Phase One: Setup
This next section is intended for getting users through the product-setup process. Create tasks for the client to work through or action items for you to collaborate on if more hands-on guidance is required.
Here, you can embed more instructional content, like videos or slideshows. You can also share descriptions, links, and files for each step.
Phase Two: Smile
This section is similar to phase one, but with a focus on providing more in-depth training materials. Where the objective of phase one is product set-up, here the objective is to get clients up and running with the process in a practical, hands-on way.
Content for this section can include tutorials, documentation, and walkthroughs.
Getting Started Resources
Provide additional information for more specialized use cases or troubleshooting as well as follow-up information. Content here can include video courses, links, and documents.
Why use this implementation plan template?
Without a clear roadmap, clients and team members may struggle with miscommunication, unclear expectations, and missed deadlines. A well-structured implementation drives alignment with key stakeholders, ensuring the workflow remains smooth and efficient. This is instrumental in keeping customers happy, ensuring they get maximum value from your product, and reducing the likelihood of churn.
This process includes multiple steps after the sale is made, from planning to the onboarding phase and right through to future upgrades.
Guiding your client through the various steps of implementation is a dynamic process, varying depending on the precise product, level of touch, and the client’s own needs and capabilities.
Dock’s project implementation plan template is flexible enough to accommodate different methodologies, making it suitable for any project. Whether you're handling a software implementation, onboarding new customers, or launching a complex internal work plan, this template provides a structured approach.
Here’s what else Dock’s implementation software can do for you:
Choose the type of implementation that’s right for you and your client
- Establish a structured approach with clear project objectives, key success criteria, and measurable KPIs.
- Lay out implementation steps, including due dates, deliverables, and milestones, to maintain consistent expectations throughout as you meet your project goals.
- Share the implementation strategy and implementation schedule.
- Align stakeholders and project managers with real-time insights and progress tracking.
- Save your employees’ time, allowing them to craft custom plans to fit self-guided, enterprise, or hybrid implementation models.
Easily follow implementation best practices
- Checklists and mutual action plans move the process forward consistently with your project team.
- Clearly sharing information ensures that expectations are aligned.
- Enhance resource allocation by optimizing team member assignments and ensuring efficient use of resources.
- Focus the project on user adoption at the end of implementation.
- Track progress by using Dock to monitor project execution, streamline tasks, and reduce scope creep.
Create the best client experience possible
- Step-by-step guides and resources allow clients to work around their own schedule.
- Customize and adjust the process to fit your clients' needs.
- Keeping resources in one place makes it easier to collaborate and limits miscommunication.
Related Templates
What is an implementation plan?
An implementation plan is a set of steps and a timeline for executing the various parts of a project. In a B2B setting, the end goal of the implementation plan is the successful set-up, running, or use of the product or service being sold to the client.
What are the objectives of an implementation plan?
An implementation plan is supposed to clarify the sequence of tasks required to complete a project, assist in the adequate allocation of time and resources to complete the various tasks, set a clear time frame including standards for completion and success, connect the project to wider strategic goals, and maintain customer relationships and trust by ensuring that value is delivered in an efficient and transparent way.
What are the four major components of an implementation plan?
Most effective project implementation plans have at least four major components:
- Clearly defined goals
- A schedule or timeline for achieving those goals
- An assignment of resources and tasks
- Standards for communication, evaluation, handling contingencies, and “what’s next” after the project comes to a close
How do you create an implementation plan?
To create an implementation plan, aim to include the following components:
- A knowledge base established through research and consultation
- A clear and convenient way to communicate, share resources, and provide updates
- An evaluation of available resources and tools
- Clear goals and shared aims of the project
- Standards for handling sensitive information, access, and permissions
- A timeline and set of steps to achieve the goals of the project
- A set of criteria to establish when those steps and goals are achieved
- A distribution of tasks, resources, and timeframes for each step
- A plan to handle unforeseen problems, failures or setbacks
For more on implementation best practices, read our complete guide to software implementation.
All rights reserved.
