Processes: closing a project (CP) and directing a project (DP)

Question 1

what is purpose of closing a project (CP)

Answer 1

• to provide a fixed point at which acceptance for the project product is confirmed
• to recognize that objectives set out in the original project initiation documentation have been achieved
• or to recognize that any approved changes to these objectives have been achieved
• or to recognize that the project has nothing more to contribute

Question 2

what are the 5 objectives of closing a project (CP)

Answer 2

• To verify that the users have accepted the project’s products
• To ensure that the host site is able to support the products when the project is closed (in other words there is an operational support function in place to maintain the products in BAU)
• To review the project’s performance against its baseline
• To assess any benefits that have already been realised and update the ‘benefits management approach’ to include benefits reviews after the project has closed
• To ensure that follow-on action recommendations have been made to deal with any open issues and risks

Question 3

name the 5 activities that happen when closing a project

Answer 3

• Prepare planned closure: the Project Manager ensures that the expected results of the project have been achieved
• Prepare premature closure: If the project has been brought to a premature close then the Project Manager must ensure that rather than abandoning the project it is brought to an orderly close and that anything that can be salvaged has been
• Hand-over products
• Evaluate the project - evaluate the project against the project initiation documentation (PID) as baselined
• recommend to the Project Board that the project is closed using the ‘recommend project closure’ activity

Question 4

when does directing a project start

Answer 4

Directing a Project runs from the end of the Starting up a Project process until the very end and final close-down of the project

Question 5

who directs a project

Answer 5

only the project board

They should manage by exception, monitor through reports provided by the Project Manager and control via a series of key decision points