Project closure is the last stage of the project. This is where the project manager communicates the closure to all relevant stakeholders, project deliverables are completed and handed off to the client, final bills are paid, resources are wound down. A post-mortem of the project (or final project report): details what went well, what could have gone better and what needs to be done differently next time are also looked out. This enables continuous improvement and client experience on future projects (Kissflow Inc, 2021).
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There are four main way in which a project can be terminated.
Termination by Extinction - The main goal/objective has been achieved or if there were complications and the primary project had to be closed and replaced with a different project.
Termination by Addition - The project was deemed to be a success and was ended. The combination of organisation and elements that made up this project (resources, budget, planning) is then utilised on future projects. In most cases, workers or materials used on the original project are transferred onto future projects.
Termination by Integration - The project is closed successfully. Resources such as materials and workers are then utilised as part of day-to-day operations of the main client or company.
Termination by Starvation - The project comes to an immediate end as it has failed to achieve the goals and objectives originally set out. The main reason for this type of closure is due to budget (exceeding the budget), resources (run out of materials or critical workers no longer available) and scope creep (Hickey, 2021).
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The project/termination manager must ensure that the following tasks are completed for the project to fully close. These are:
Ensure all tasks/deliverables have been completed
Submit final deliverable report which should also include a project evaluation report
Ensure all outstanding bills are paid and that there aren’t any outstanding receivables due
Inform the client the project is completed
If any post project assistance/support is needed by the client, then this is provisioned and clearly communicated to the client
Ensure all relevant personnel (legal/compliance/financial personnel) know that the project is completed and that there aren’t outstanding tasks that need to be finalised
Disassemble the resources used on the project (materials/workers) and reassign where appropriate
Safely store documents
If require, oversee the project financial statements (projectpractical, 2021)
References
Hickey, R, (2021). Project Closure. URL: https://www.learning101.ie/projectmanagement.html [Accessed 01.12.2021]
Kissflow Inc, (2021). How to Smoothly Execute the Project Closure Phase. URL: 5 Ways to Smoothly Execute the Project Closure Phase (kissflow.com) [Accessed 08.12.2021]
Projectpractical, (2021). Project Closing Processes: 8 Key Activities. URL: Project Closing Process: 8 Key Activities – Knowledge Hub for Project Management Professionals (projectpractical.com) [Accessed 08.12.2021]
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