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The Critical Steps of Project Closure

The Critical Steps of Project Closure

Pavan Sai Palakula

Trine University

GE---5103-4O2--OL-SP-2023 - Project Management

Dr. Kelly Wibbenmeyer

April 28, 2024

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The Critical Steps of Project Closure

Introduction
The stage element of project completion that many people forgot because it is less

discussed during the beginnings and the progress of the project. On the other hand, it is also

heavily used for ensuring its overall achievement. The execution of a project by properly

closing it gives rise to more than just fulfilment of tasks; that is taking time to assess, satisfy

stakeholders, and later on capture the lessons learned for future endeavors. Through this

work, the paper tries to offer a complete manual on how to successfully draw a project, based

upon studies, findings and advices of scholars and the best practices in project management.

Understanding the Importance of Project Closure

Through project closure, all that has been put forth will be finalized and everything

that has been invested will be accumulated. The present research guys articulated that

satisfactory completion of project implementation stipulates that project objectives are met,

resources are released, and organizational knowledge is retained (Bengtson, Havila &

Åberg2018). Additionally, it creates a smooth transition from development to the eventual

delivery to the consumers and key stakeholders, a move that ensures the availability and

sustainability of the project on past and future undertakings.

Key Components of Project Closure

The first step of project closure shall be to validate whether all of the deliverables as

covered by the project plan has been finished and are satisfactory to stakeholders. It also

encompasses finalizing reports, documenting, and whatever artifact created during the

successive project lifetime (Samuil, Caramidaru, & Ionica, 2020). It is vital to maintain a

complete and validated documentation for ensuing cross checking and auditing. Finally, after

all the deliverables have been presented, it is very important to get formal recognition from

the stakeholders either by their sign-off or agreement that the project has achieved its
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The Critical Steps of Project Closure

objectives. Through this step, we can avoid any ambiguity or controversies that could arise

regarding project outcomes and your project aim.

The closure of a project implies the release of people and things (financial and

material) back to the organization or just redirecting them to other projects in need. These

activities embed here closeout. It also involves exiting project team members from their

assignments, dismounting infrastructure, and terminating financial accounts associated with

the project (Zohrehvandi et al., 2017). Fully set off the assets and costs reduction devices by

proper resource release. An extensive assessment of the project efficiency through out is the

key to determine the strong and weak points and then highlight the areas for further

development. The allocation of this grading should cover representatives prior-stages and

zero in on a combination of the qualitative metrics (e.g. budget adherence, schedule

compliance) and the qualitative indicators (e.g. stakeholder satisfaction, team dynamics).

Identification of what was done right and wrong is crucial for the purpose of organizational

learning and strategic development (Bengston et al., 2018).

Stakeholder Satisfaction and Communication

Throughout that stage, ensuring proper and fair communicating with all the concerned

audience is crucial. In addition, setup of plan for project realization which will include alerts

on the interim and final project works and closure activities is one of the things that support

management of expectations that gives confidence. Incorporating stakeholders in the planned

process helps get their input and guarantees that they are satisfied with the final decisions that

are made by analyzing their feedback. Ensuring the last stage of project closure calls for the

formation of a transfer plan detailing how state outputs can be handed over either to users

themselves or operational teams. This plan should include detailed tasks, actions, and

timelines in addition the needed training or anything else that might help our efforts. The
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The Critical Steps of Project Closure

management of a well-executed transition procedure results in fewer interference and

meeting the goals of the project after it.

Celebrating Success and Recognition

Committing for project celebration and giving recognition to team members and other

relevant stakeholders is crucial for team morale and motivation for future projects. Realizing

individual and collective success contributes to a value system that acknowledges

achievement and affirms the purpose of hard work and presents another opportunity for

success in future tasks. To mark the end of the implementation part, collectively reflects the

thought-processes gone through since the project initiation, achievement of results, and

appreciation of all involved parties. The platform also is designed for and provides the

participants with the opportunity of an informal dialogue and a spirit of comradeship. This

amalgamates a feeling of togetherness among the team members, which creates a feeling of

team spirit and success.

Conclusion
Thus, proper project closing brings forth the plan of actions that counts on the initial

inputs of the projects having longer lasting effects and value for the money spent. An

extensive manual that will take the project managers through the process of completing the

deliverables, formalizing of support, resource dissemination, project evaluation, attainment of

client satisfaction, and acknowledgment of accomplishments will assist them in successful

project closeout and create a good image for future projects. (1) Combining findings from

research literature and the best practices applied in all fields of management, organizations

can lay the foundation of a continuous improvement and innovation atmosphere, which then

is capable of leading to an ongoing sustainable growth and greater value creation.

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The Critical Steps of Project Closure

References
Bengtson, A., Havila, V., & Åberg, S. (2018). Beyond Project Closure: Why Some Business

Relationships Recur in Subsequent Projects. Project Management Journal, 49(2), 89–

104. https://doi.org/10.1177/875697281804900206

Samuil, I., Caramidaru, I., & Ionica, A. (2020). The Emergence of Industrial Tourism in Post-

Mining Closure Areas – Project Management Models and Local Practices. MATEC

Web of Conferences, 305, 77-. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202030500077

Zohrehvandi, S., Khalilzadeh, M., Hajizadeh, M., & Cheraghi, E. (2017). Planning project

closure phase in combined cycle power plant projects. Procedia Computer Science,

121, 274–281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2017.11.038