So, you’ve reached the end of your project. All you need to do is to complete it and measure its impact.
Too many projects get to this stage and then get abandoned as the project team evaporates to join new teams doing newer, shinier projects.
But it’s important to close your project down in an orderly fashion, so let’s take a look at what’s involved.
How to Close Your Project in an Orderly Fashion
Putting it in context. Closing your project is the last of the Eight Steps to a Successful Project. The first video below will provide an overview of the steps leading up to the 'Closing' phase. Keep in mind, the end of your project will come, but before you can close it down, it's time for Project Handover. The second video answers the question in concise detail, 'What is Project Handover?'
The first video explains how to close your project including the seven most important disciplines you will need, to close it in an orderly way. The seven disciplines are: handover and sign-off, project review (and schedule outcomes review), lessons learned, personal feedback, clear the Admin, Celebrate! and the Project Closure Memo. The second video, by Jennifer Bridges, provides an alternative perspective explaining other ways you can close your project.
For a thorough guide to closing your project, read the comprehensive article entitled "Project Closure". If you would like another perspective, the second article by Elizabeth Harrin provides that below. The third video answers the questions: What will you review your project against? The most useful thing is outcomes. But it's easy to get confused. Objectives, outputs, outcomes; they are different, and the differences matter. So, what are Project Outcomes? The third article includes Susanne Madsenn expressing her take on post-implementation review. Lastly, P3.express has a slightly quirky Project Management process that melds Agile principles into traditional project management. But their module on checking the business case and evaluating benefits has some helpful content.
Finally, if you like Pinterest, check out the first "Project Closure" link below to view the board. At OnlinePMCourses we like to offer an exceptional range of free resources. But, if you are serious about project management, or if the outcomes of your project really matter, then you need a structured learning program and solid tools.I am delighted to offer CatCat users a 20% discount on all OnlinePMCourses products. Just use the coupon code CATCAT101 at the checkout.