Choose a product champion with the enthusiasm and energy to make things happen. Give this individual the authority to run the project (within an agreed budget) without continual interference. Set up a project team that includes people with all the relevant skills (see 9). Involve a complete team from the start so that people can work in parallel and problems can be spotted at an early stage.

Make sure that everyone in the team is agreed on the main objectives, based on the product specification. Use this to delegate specific areas of responsibility and objectives to individuals. Agree an overall budget and budgets for different parts of the project.

Draw up a critical path showing what tasks need to be completed, in what order. Build in a process of regular project review so that you can check progress and see how your plans need to be changed.

Work to keep the team motivated. Be prepared for setbacks along the way, and let team members know that you expect them: otherwise, individuals may be afraid of making mistakes and demoralized when problems arise. Try to maintain a ‘can do’ attitude; if possible, avoid including negative or obstructive individuals in the team.