Assignment title: Information
Shared Activity: Project Completion
Eventually, the aims and objectives of the project will be achieved and you will feel like the project is finished.
Think again. You still have some steps to ensure that your project is closed and complete. The first is called
project closure. Project closure consists of completing any outstanding project items, making sure all project-
related contract commitments have been fulfilled, completing a final budget review, thanking those who helped
with the project, making sure all project data and documents are stored for later access and analysing what
worked and what did not. Project closure is not a one-person process, and will often involve several project
stakeholders. You will need to make these stakeholders understand that although the aims and objectives of
the project have been completed, their input may still be needed for project closure.
The second step to ensure your project is closed and complete is the post-implementation review (PIR). The
PIR is used to assess and evaluate the project. Specifically, it analyses whether the project fully completed its
scope, aims and objectives, how the results of the project could be taken further in the future for additional
benefits and lessons learned from the project. The PIR should be completed shortly after the project has been
closed, but be sure to allow time for any last-minute project changes or results to take effect. Every project may
not require a PIR, but it will usually be beneficial to the organisation, especially in an organisation that is new to
project management practices or organisations that place high importance on project management.
To prepare for this Shared Activity:
Review the websites from your resources that provide
information on project closure and the post-implementation
review.
Search the Internet and additional resources about project
closure and the post-implementation review.
Think about what is involved in a project closure, and why a
project closure is performed.
Consider what a PIR entails, and why a PIR is performed.
To complete this Shared Activity:
Explain at least two potential issues that may arise when a
project closure is not performed, including how you might resolve
these issues. Be specific and use examples from your own
personal experience to support your post.
Explain two ways a post-implementation review can enable a
project manager to improve future projects.
Read your colleague's postings and compare the similarities and
differences between them.
Respond to your colleagues' explanations by expanding on,
questioning, or offering further support for their ideas, or by
suggesting new or alternative viewpoints.