Project execution and CrossFit

Project execution is very important in terms of taking action on all the plans for the project and completing all tasks or activities that were specified in the planning processes prior to the execution. Execution is just as important as the planning portion of the whole project process. As the book called, “An Introduction to Project Management” states, a main reason why CEOs fail in performing a project is because they have poor execution. The previous statement is inferring that execution is one the most important aspects of a project. Project execution really is the cherry on top, finishing all the hard work of the team, the project manager, and possibly the other stakeholders. Project execution Without execution of a plan, there would be no point in conducting a project if any of the plans for action are never completed. Project managers and other stakeholders who are in charge of a project need to take it serious from the start of the project and plan for the execution or they will just be another statistic stating that they will fail in their projects due to poor execution. The project managers and stakeholders need to stay committed to the project all the way through, following through with all the plans and effort their team has put into trying to make the project successful. Communication is another aspect of that will increase the chances of a successful execution and a successful project overall.

You could connect project execution with the fitness industry as well, specifically a CrossFit class. During a CrossFit class their is a coach or two that is there to help teach everyone the movements to the carefully designed workout of the day. There is a lot of planning and thought behind the creation of a CrossFit class. When the planning is performed or executed that is when the class is conducted on the planned workout of the day. The planner or project manager for this type of project is usually the coach themselves and possibly the owner of the gym, they are usually a coach as well. A coach must take the time and effort to create a thoughtful workout of the day that is connected to prior workouts and future workouts. If the coach fails to take consideration of previous and future workouts, then during the execution of the workouts, there will being injuries. These injuries can be immediate or happen later on as time goes by. This will result in poor execution and therefore affecting retention rates of customers. It would be considered a failure to the project as well.

Soft skills are a huge component of any CrossFit gym because they are not just providing a service such as the gym and classes. The CrossFit gym is trying to create an experience or a community with the patrons and participants of CrossFit. One example of this soft skill being applied in a project section is the execution of a workout of the day. Coaches need to be able to teach and guide reoccurring members and new comers to the gym. Coaches need to be able to possibly inspire and definitely offer great hospitality to gym members. Coaches also need to be able to communicate the movements of the workout of the day to all kinds of members effectively to limit or eradicate the chances of injuries occurring during the workout. These soft skills not only allow the coaches to communicate to the gym members but also to motivate them and solve issues that members might be having in terms of capabilities of their bodies. The gym members are basically participating stakeholders or possibly considered a part of the team of the project and coaches have to take care of them. The coaches need to be willing to use those soft skills during the execution of the workout of the day (the project) to make small adjustments or changes for specific individuals in the effort of executing the project with success. Success would be in the form of retention rates of stakeholders/customers, satisfaction of customers about the workouts and their experiences, and satisfaction of coaches.

Change is another portion of project execution that needs to be handled with care and priority. Change can affect the execution goals a lot and could alter the outcome of the project overall. Still using the example of running a CrossFit class, change can occur easily and frequently for a CrossFit class due to too many reasons internally and externally. These change requests would need to go through the coaches first and then to the gym owner/coach. The gym owner would have final say and decision but on specific topics and the coach during the workout of the day does have final say. One example of the coach having final say is in terms of the class not really wanting to do a certain amount of sets or reps regarding a specific movement in CrossFit. Then the coach would consider future workouts as well as the fatigue levels of the gym members that day and then make a decision that way. But if there was a change in the whole workout of the day, that would have to be brought to the gym owner for consideration and final approval of the change. Change is very important and can have a cause and effect on the whole project.