Mastering the Project Delivery Phase: Key Steps for Successful Execution
The planning is done. Stakeholders are aligned. The strategy’s on paper. Now what?
Welcome to the project delivery phase where intent becomes action, and real value is either realised or lost in translation.
For many teams, this is where things get messy. Plans collide with reality. Priorities shift. People get tired. And all the work leading up to this point only matters if delivery sticks.
At The Outlier Group, we live in the delivery space. It’s not always clean or easy, but when done right, it’s where strategy turns into results. Here’s how we help organisations master the project delivery phase with fewer delays, less noise, and more meaningful outcomes.
1. Get Clear on What You’re Delivering (and Why)
Before your team dives into tasks, stop and realign. What are you actually delivering? Not just a set of outputs, but the outcome they enable.
Ask:
What does success look like in real terms?
What’s the core benefit or value this project aims to unlock?
How will we know when we’ve achieved it?
Clarity at the beginning of the project delivery phase helps avoid confusion later, especially when pressure builds and tough decisions need to be made.
2. Build a Rhythm That Drives Momentum
Too many projects lose steam because they don’t build an effective cadence. Delivery isn’t just about ticking off milestones, but it’s about sustaining energy, visibility, and accountability.
We recommend:
Weekly or fortnightly delivery check-ins focused on progress and blockers
Short, sharp reports that track outcomes, not just activities
Regular reviews that create space for learning, not just updates
These rhythms keep the team connected to the work and help leadership stay aligned without getting lost in detail.
3. Lead Through the People, Not Around Them
In every project, the people doing the work are also experiencing change. If they feel left behind or burned out, delivery slows down fast.
That’s why we treat change not as a separate track, but as a core part of the project delivery phase. Engaging early, listening actively, and creating feedback loops aren’t soft skills, they’re strategic actions that help projects land.
Bring your stakeholders along with you. The earlier you engage them, the easier it is to adjust when reality shifts (and it will).
4. Track Benefits Along the Way, Not Just at the End
Many projects fail in the final stages because the transition is unclear. Who owns what? What support will be needed post-delivery? How can we ensure this sticks?
As you enter the final stretch of the project delivery phase, start preparing:
Clear handover documentation
Support plans or knowledge transfer sessions
Ownership agreements (especially if multiple teams are involved)
Great delivery doesn’t end at go-live. It continues through sustainment and handover, where ownership and momentum matter most.
5. Plan for Handovers Before You Get There
One of the biggest traps in delivery? Waiting until the end to see if it worked.
Instead, identify key benefits upfront and track them as you go. These can include:
Efficiency gains
User adoption rates
Stakeholder engagement levels
Team confidence or capability growth
Even intangible benefits can be measured through pulse surveys, focus groups, or quick interviews. Delivery isn’t just about ticking off deliverables, it’s about creating impact.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Deliver Alone
Project delivery doesn’t have to be a solo mission. Whether you’re leading a team, running a PMO, or sponsoring a complex initiative, the most successful delivery happens when people are supported, engaged, and aligned.
At The Outlier Group, we embed with teams as project partners, not just to advise, but to help make delivery real, meaningful, and measurable.
Final Word: Make the Project Delivery Phase Count
The project delivery phase isn’t just the last step, it’s the moment your project becomes real. It’s where strategy meets systems, people, culture, and complexity. It’s where intent turns into action.
Done well, it’s where change sticks.
If your team is about to move into delivery or is already there and looking for more clarity, we can help.
Reach out to explore how we support teams through delivery that works, not just delivers.
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