Properly closing a given project is very similar to many of the other processes which are commonly associated with project management. The reason I say this is because there are both outputs and inputs which are connected to the closing of the project, along with the tools and methods which are used to make sure it is done smoothly.
Ending a Project Properly
There are a number of inputs which are used in the closing of a project, and most of these inputs are utilized for the purpose of validating the completion of the project, along with any issues which must be resolved. These inputs include things like the project management plan, the contact documentation, the organizational process assets, and the enterprise environment factors.
The first thing that you will want to become familiar with is the project management plan. This plan is responsible for showcasing the ways in which the project will be carried out, as well as controlled or monitored. It documents the total collection for the outputs via the planning process, and it plays a very important role in ensuring that the project is properly closed.
The contract documentation is responsible for specifying the requirements for the contracts so that the project can be supplied with both the resources and the materials, which are designated as being properly delivered for the basis of the performance for the work. The next thing that you will want to become familiar with are the process assets for the organization.
The organizational process assets are considered to be standards, as well as life cycles and policies which play a role in the successful completion of the project. These assets will need to be updated so that they take into consideration the decisions which are made with regard to changing or making updates to the policies or procedures when the project is executed.
The next thing that must be considered for project closing is the enterprise environmental factors. These are basically the internal and external environmental factors which are responsible for influencing the success of the project.
Other Factors to Consider
The work performance information also plays a crucial role in properly closing a project. The work performance information can be thought of as the raw materials which are used to provide information about the status as well as the quality information for every completed project. It is used for the purpose of confirming that each activity has been properly completed, and that both projects and contracts can be closed.
Another factor which must always be taken into consideration is the deliverables. The deliverable is best described as being any product which is both distinct as well as verifiable. It could be a service, and it may also be a result, but it has to be produced for the purpose of finishing a process.
Once all the deliverables have been properly approved, the process for executing them will end once the closing processes start. To make sure that everything which is important has been properly completed, the project manager must take the time to use the identical tools and techniques which are found within the processes for the integration knowledge group.
One additional tool that project managers will want to make use of is the project management methodology. This will give you the guidelines and procedures that you must follow so that the project closure occurs in the proper manner. The methodology must act as a guideline to assist in the validation for products given to the customer.
The PMIS, or project management information system, is basically a repository which every piece of data which is related to the project, and this includes all the information and documentation. This repository is extremely important because it acts as an archive which can be referenced when the organization conducts future projects.
Expert judgment is also very important, and the team must take the time to depend on their collective knowledge and experience in order to analyze the outcomes and figure out if the project has been completed in a manner which is efficient.