Under the PRINCE2 framework, all projects have defined beginnings, middles and ends – all of which must be tightly controlled.
Whilst planning, initiating and executing the project, the Project Manager reports to the Project Board – so, similarly, the Project Board has to give final sign-off on the project closure. For successful project closure, there must be a nice smooth handover of the product from the project team.
PRINCE2 training will teach you the theory and applications of the framework, including the importance of evaluating the project once closed.
As with the rest of the PRINCE2 processes, control is very important during this completion stage. Once the Project Manager believes the objectives from the Project Initiation Document have been met, he puts the recommendation for Project Closure to the Project Board.
Preparing to Close the Project
The main aim of closing a project in PRINCE2 is to make sure that the final product is of an acceptable level, make sure the operational team is able to look after the project and to guarantee that any issues or risks have a correct way to address them.
The following issues need to be considered to prepare the project for closure:
- Has the correct product been delivered – and accepted by the Project Board?
- Has responsibility for the product been handed over to suitable support and/or maintenance teams?
- Have all recommendations for future work needed on the product been documented?
- Have all issues been dealt with that were raised during the project?
- What lessons have been learned during this project?
- How did the project perform against the Project Initiation Document?
- Has closure of the project been recommended to the Project Board?
- Has achievement of the project’s Business Case been confirmed?
Closing a Project
Once project closure has been agreed with the Project Board the Project Plan can be updated with the final costs and timings. The Project Board will agree project closure as long as:
- The Customer agrees that the acceptance criteria have been met
- There has been an acceptable handover of ongoing operational responsibility to an appropriate maintenance or support team
- All issues are closed
Evaluating the Project
The Project Manager and other relevant people will evaluate the project as part of closure. They will revisit the objectives and whether the results were in line with these; record statistics on the project’s performance and note down lessons learned.
The evaluation stage is a crucial part of the PRINCE2 process, as project managers are expected to provide consistently good results – and this can’t be achieved without acknowledging and learning from past performance.
Similar posts you may like:
- Take a closer look at the PRINCE2® Processes
- How Project Management Can Work For You
- Evaluating a PRINCE2 Project
- PRINCE2 Crossword Revision
- PRINCE2 Project Initiation Document Template
Tags
about prince2, close project in prince2, how to close a project, prince2, prince2 closing project, prince2 courses, prince2 resources, prince2 training