Practice vs. Implement: What's the Difference?
By Janet White & Harlon Moss || Updated on March 4, 2024
Practice and implement are actions that lead to skill enhancement and execution of plans, respectively; practice involves repeated exercises for improvement, while implement is about putting plans or ideas into action.
Key Differences
Practice involves engaging in repeated exercises or activities to improve a skill or knowledge. It is often associated with learning, training, and development in various contexts, such as sports, music, and academics. Implement, on the other hand, refers to the act of putting a plan, decision, or idea into effect. It is a critical step in the execution of strategies, policies, or projects, moving from the planning or conceptual stage to actual operation.
While practice is primarily focused on personal or group skill enhancement through repetition, implement is concerned with the execution of specific plans or ideas to achieve a particular goal or objective. The emphasis of practice is on the process of improvement, whereas implementation is about the process of execution.
Practice often involves a cycle of performing, assessing, and refining techniques or methods to achieve gradual improvement. It is an ongoing process that can be adapted based on feedback and outcomes. On the other hand, implementation requires careful planning, resource allocation, and management to effectively execute a plan or idea, often within a specific timeframe.
In terms of outcomes, the goal of practice is to achieve a higher level of proficiency, accuracy, or understanding in a particular area. The outcome of implementation, however, is the realization of a plan or idea, which can be measured by the success or effectiveness of the executed actions in achieving the intended objectives.
Comparison Chart
Focus
Skill enhancement through repetition
Execution of plans or ideas
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Context
Learning, training, personal development
Strategy execution, project management
Process
Ongoing, involves assessment and refinement
Structured, involves planning and resource allocation
Goal
Improvement in proficiency or understanding
Successful realization of a plan or idea
Outcome Measurement
Level of skill or knowledge improvement
Success of the executed actions
Practice and Implement Definitions
Practice
The repeated exercise of an activity or skill to improve proficiency.
Practice is essential for mastering a new language.
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Implement
To put (a decision, plan, agreement, etc.) into effect.
The company plans to implement a new training program.
Practice
The actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method.
The theory is sound, but its practice is challenging.
Implement
The act of executing or carrying out a plan or action.
Implementation of the policy requires careful oversight.
Practice
The carrying out or exercise of a profession.
She plans to open her own medical practice.
Implement
The realization of an application or execution of a plan.
The implement of new software streamlined the workflow.
Practice
To do or perform habitually or customarily; make a habit of
Practices courtesy in social situations.
Implement
To ensure that what has been planned is done.
The team worked hard to implement the project on time.
Practice
To do or perform (something) repeatedly in order to acquire or polish a skill
Practice a dance step.
Implement
A tool, utensil, or other piece of equipment used in doing work
A gardening implement.
Practice
To give lessons or repeated instructions to; drill
Practiced the students in handwriting.
Implement
An article used to outfit or equip someone
Ecclesiastical implements.
Practice
To work at, especially as a profession
Practice law.
Implement
A means of achieving an end; an instrument or agent.
Practice
To carry out in action; observe
Practices a religion piously.
Implement
To put into practical effect; carry out
Implement the new procedures.
Practice
(Obsolete) To plot (something evil).
Implement
To supply with implements.
Practice
To do something repeatedly in order to acquire or polish a skill
With any musical instrument, you need to practice to get better.
Implement
To bring about; to put into practice; to carry out.
It’s a good thought, but it will be a difficult thing to implement.
Practice
To work at a profession
How long has that lawyer been practicing?.
Implement
A tool or instrument for working with.
They carried an assortment of gardening implements in the truck.
Practice
To do or perform something habitually or repeatedly
Why not practice in the same manner that you preach?.
Implement
That which fulfills or supplies a want or use; esp., an instrument, tool, or utensil, as supplying a requisite to an end; as, the implements of trade, of husbandry, or of war.
Genius must have talent as its complement and implement.
Practice
(Archaic) To intrigue or plot.
Implement
To accomplish; to fulfill.
Revenge . . . executed and implemented by the hand of Vanbeest Brown.
Practice
A habitual or customary action or way of doing something
Makes a practice of being punctual.
Implement
To provide with an implement or implements; to cause to be fulfilled, satisfied, or carried out, by means of an implement or implements.
The chief mechanical requisites of the barometer are implemented in such an instrument as the following.
Practice
Repeated performance of an activity in order to learn or perfect a skill
Practice will make you a good musician.
Implement
To fulfill or perform, as a contract or an engagement.
Practice
A session of preparation or performance undertaken to acquire or polish a skill
Goes to piano practice weekly.
Scheduled a soccer practice for Saturday.
Implement
Instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end
Practice
(Archaic) The skill so learned or perfected.
Implement
Apply in a manner consistent with its purpose or design;
Implement a procedure
Practice
The condition of being skilled through repeated exercise
Out of practice.
Implement
Ensure observance of laws and rules;
Apply the rules to everyone
Practice
The act or process of doing something; performance or action
A theory that is difficult to put into practice.
Implement
Pursue to a conclusion or bring to a successful issue;
Did he go through with the treatment?
He implemented a new economic plan
She followed up his recommendations with a written proposal
Practice
Exercise of an occupation or profession
The practice of law.
Implement
The process of putting a decision or plan into effect.
Effective implement of the strategy will require teamwork.
Practice
The business of a professional person
An obstetrician with her own practice.
Practice
A habitual or customary action or act
That company engages in questionable business practices. Facial tattooing is a standard practice among certain peoples.
Practice
(Law) The procedure for trial of cases in a court of law, usually specified by rules.
Practice
The act of tricking or scheming, especially with malicious intent.
Practice
A trick, scheme, or intrigue.
Practice
Repetition of an activity to improve a skill.
He will need lots of practice with the lines before he performs them.
Practice
An organized event for the purpose of performing such repetition.
Being on a team is hard: you're always having to go to practice while everyone else is taking it easy.
I have choir practice every Sunday after church.
Practice
The ongoing pursuit of a craft or profession, particularly in medicine or the fine arts.
Practice
(countable) A place where a professional service is provided, such as a general practice.
She ran a thriving medical practice.
Practice
The observance of religious duties that a church requires of its members.
Practice
A customary action, habit, or behaviour; a manner or routine.
It is the usual practice of employees there to wear neckties only when meeting with customers.
It is good practice to check each door and window before leaving.
Practice
Actual operation or experiment, in contrast to theory.
That may work in theory, but will it work in practice?
Practice
(legal) The form, manner, and order of conducting and carrying on suits and prosecutions through their various stages, according to the principles of law and the rules laid down by the courts.
This firm of solicitors is involved in family law practice.
Practice
Skilful or artful management; dexterity in contrivance or the use of means; stratagem; artifice.
Practice
(math) A easy and concise method of applying the rules of arithmetic to questions which occur in trade and business.
Practice
(US) practise
Practice
Frequently repeated or customary action; habitual performance; a succession of acts of a similar kind; usage; habit; custom; as, the practice of rising early; the practice of making regular entries of accounts; the practice of daily exercise.
A heart . . . exercised with covetous practices.
Practice
Customary or constant use; state of being used.
Obsolete words may be revived when they are more sounding or more significant than those in practice.
Practice
Skill or dexterity acquired by use; expertness.
Practice
Actual performance; application of knowledge; - opposed to theory.
There are two functions of the soul, - contemplation and practice.
There is a distinction, but no opposition, between theory and practice; each, to a certain extent, supposes the other; theory is dependent on practice; practice must have preceded theory.
Practice
Systematic exercise for instruction or discipline; as, the troops are called out for practice; she neglected practice in music.
Practice
Application of science to the wants of men; the exercise of any profession; professional business; as, the practice of medicine or law; a large or lucrative practice.
Practice is exercise of an art, or the application of a science in life, which application is itself an art.
Practice
Skillful or artful management; dexterity in contrivance or the use of means; art; stratagem; artifice; plot; - usually in a bad sense.
He sought to have that by practice which he could not by prayer.
Practice
A easy and concise method of applying the rules of arithmetic to questions which occur in trade and business.
Practice
The form, manner, and order of conducting and carrying on suits and prosecutions through their various stages, according to the principles of law and the rules laid down by the courts.
Practice
To do or perform frequently, customarily, or habitually; to make a practice of; as, to practice gaming.
Practice
To exercise, or follow, as a profession, trade, art, etc., as, to practice law or medicine.
Practice
To exercise one's self in, for instruction or improvement, or to acquire discipline or dexterity; as, to practice gunnery; to practice music.
Practice
To put into practice; to carry out; to act upon; to commit; to execute; to do.
As this advice ye practice or neglect.
Practice
To make use of; to employ.
In malice to this good knight's wife, I practiced Ubaldo and Ricardo to corrupt her.
Practice
To teach or accustom by practice; to train.
In church they are taught to love God; after church they are practiced to love their neighbor.
Practice
To perform certain acts frequently or customarily, either for instruction, profit, or amusement; as, to practice with the broadsword or with the rifle; to practice on the piano.
Practice
To learn by practice; to form a habit.
They shall practice how to live secure.
Practice first over yourself to reign.
Practice
To try artifices or stratagems.
He will practice against thee by poison.
Practice
To apply theoretical science or knowledge, esp. by way of experiment; to exercise or pursue an employment or profession, esp. that of medicine or of law.
[I am] little inclined to practice on others, and as little that others should practice on me.
Practice
A customary way of operation or behavior;
It is their practice to give annual raises
They changed their dietary pattern
Practice
Systematic training by multiple repetitions;
Practice makes perfect
Practice
Translating an idea into action;
A hard theory to put into practice
Differences between theory and praxis of communism
Practice
The exercise of a profession;
The practice of the law
I took over his practice when he retired
Practice
Knowledge of how something is usually done;
It is not the local practice to wear shorts to dinner
Practice
Learn by repetition;
We drilled French verbs every day
Pianists practice scales
Practice
Avail oneself to;
Apply a principle
Practice a religion
Use care when going down the stairs
Use your common sense
Practice non-violent resistance
Practice
Carry out or practice; as of jobs and professions;
Practice law
Practice
Engage in a rehearsal (of)
Practice
The customary, habitual, or expected procedure of something.
The firm adopted a new practice for client meetings.
Practice
The business or premises of a doctor or lawyer.
He joined the practice of a renowned attorney.
FAQs
How does feedback play a role in practice and implementation?
Feedback is crucial in practice for identifying areas of improvement, and in implementation for adjusting actions to ensure the success of a plan.
Can practice and implementation be part of the same process?
Yes, practice can be part of the preparation for implementation, especially in contexts where skills need to be honed before executing a plan.
What is the main difference between practice and implement?
Practice involves repeated exercises to improve skills, while implement is about putting plans or ideas into action.
Is practice only applicable to individual learning?
No, practice can apply to both individuals and groups in various contexts, including team sports, ensemble music, and professional training.
Why is implementation considered a critical phase in project management?
Implementation is critical because it involves the actual execution of planned actions, determining the success or failure of a project.
How do different industries view the importance of practice and implementation?
Different industries may emphasize practice and implementation to varying degrees, depending on the nature of the work and the criticality of skill proficiency and strategic execution.
Can implementation occur without a formal plan?
Implementation can occur without a formal plan in more adaptive or agile environments, but having a plan generally improves clarity, direction, and outcomes.
Is it possible to implement a plan without prior practice?
While it's possible to implement a plan without prior practice, practicing relevant skills can significantly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of implementation.
How do professionals ensure effective implementation of strategies?
Professionals ensure effective implementation by thorough planning, clear communication, resource allocation, and continuous monitoring and adjustment.
What role does technology play in practice and implementation?
Technology can enhance practice through tools and platforms for learning and skill development, and streamline implementation by automating processes and facilitating communication.
How does the concept of deliberate practice differ from general practice?
Deliberate practice is a highly structured activity with the specific goal of improving performance, requiring more focused effort and feedback compared to general practice.
How do cultural factors influence practice and implementation?
Cultural factors can influence the methods, acceptance, and effectiveness of both practice and implementation, shaping how strategies and skills are developed and executed.
How important is the role of leadership in successful implementation?
Leadership plays a crucial role in successful implementation by providing vision, direction, motivation, resources, and by addressing challenges that arise.
Can practice ever be detrimental, and how should one adjust if it is?
Practice can be detrimental if done incorrectly or excessively, leading to burnout or reinforcing bad habits; adjusting requires reassessing techniques, seeking guidance, and incorporating rest and variety.
Can a plan be considered successful without proper implementation?
No, a plan cannot be considered successful without proper implementation, as implementation is the phase where ideas are actualized and objectives are achieved.
What challenges can arise during the implementation phase?
Challenges during implementation can include resource constraints, resistance to change, unforeseen obstacles, and deviations from the plan.
How do individuals and organizations adapt when practice or implementation does not lead to desired outcomes?
They may assess and adjust their strategies, seek feedback, incorporate new information, and try alternative approaches to improve future practice and implementation efforts.
In what ways can the success of implementation be sustained over time?
Sustaining the success of implementation can involve ongoing monitoring, adaptation to changes, continuous improvement efforts, and reinforcement of successful practices.
How do external factors like market trends and regulatory changes affect implementation?
External factors like market trends and regulatory changes can necessitate adjustments in implementation strategies to stay relevant, compliant, and competitive.
How does one measure the effectiveness of practice?
The effectiveness of practice is measured by improvements in proficiency, accuracy, speed, or understanding in the practiced skill or knowledge area.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Co-written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
