End of the project
The end of the project marks the successful completion of all the project objectives set at the beginning. It is the conclusion of the project plan and involves a closing process which includes the assessment of the final outcome against the original plan. During this process, all project deliverables are verified, resources are released, lessons learned are documented, and stakeholders are informed of the results. The end of the project marks the end of the project life cycle and the beginning of the process for determining the success or failure of the project.
Example of end of the project
- The end of a construction project may involve the following steps: verifying that all project deliverables are completed and inspected, releasing resources, such as contract workers and equipment, and providing a final assessment report to all stakeholders.
- The end of a software development project may involve the following steps: verifying that all project deliverables are completed and tested, releasing resources, and providing a final assessment report to all stakeholders.
- The end of a marketing campaign may involve the following steps: verifying that all deliverables, such as promotional materials, have been distributed, releasing resources, such as personnel and funds, and providing a final assessment report to all stakeholders.
Best practices of end of the project
- Finalize administrative documents - At the end of the project, it is important to finalize all administrative documents such as project reports, financial documents, contract closure, and risk assessments. This ensures that all the project-related information is documented and archived for future reference.
- Release resources - Upon completion of the project, it is essential to release all resources that have been allocated to the project. This includes personnel, facilities, and equipment.
- Assess project performance - An assessment of the project performance should be made to determine the success or failure of the project. This includes the comparison of the project outcomes against the original objectives.
- Document lessons learned - It is important to document the lessons learned from the project for future reference. This includes the successes and failures of the project, as well as the challenges encountered and how they were overcome.
- Inform stakeholders - All stakeholders should be informed of the project results. This includes the customer, the project team, suppliers, sponsors, and other external stakeholders.
- Close project - The project should be formally closed upon completion with all the deliverables delivered and accepted. This ensures that all the objectives of the project have been met and the project is officially completed.
Techniques used after end of the project
The end of a project marks the successful completion of all the project objectives set at the beginning. There are several types of end of the project processes, each of which is important in achieving the desired outcome. These are:
- Project Closure: This is the process of bringing the project to a close by verifying that all the deliverables have been completed, the resources are released, and the stakeholders are informed of the results.
- Project Evaluation: This is the process of assessing the performance of the project and determining if it has achieved its goals.
- Lessons Learned: This is the process of documenting the lessons learned from the project and incorporating them into future projects.
- Project Debriefing: This is the process of reviewing the project with stakeholders and discussing any issues or areas for improvement.
- Project Handover: This is the process of transferring ownership of the project from the project team to the stakeholders.
- Project Archive: This is the process of archiving all project documents and materials for future reference.
Advantages of end of the project
The end of the project is an important milestone, as it marks the successful completion of the project goals and objectives. There are several advantages associated with the end of the project, including:
- Improved efficiency and effectiveness of the project, as all deliverables are verified and the project is assessed against the original plan.
- Improved communication between project team members and stakeholders as they review the project results and discuss any lessons learned.
- Cost savings as all resources are released and the project is closed out.
- Increased confidence and satisfaction among stakeholders as they are informed of the project's outcome.
- Improved morale among project team members as they celebrate the successful completion of the project.
Limitations of end of the project
The end of a project marks an important milestone in the project life cycle as it signals the completion of the project objectives and deliverables. However, there are a number of limitations associated with the end of the project including:
- The inability to assess the success of the project beyond the original objectives, as the project plan may not have taken into account the real-world complexities and risks associated with the project.
- Unforeseen problems may arise after the project has been completed, creating the need for further development or changes to the original plan.
- The closure process of the project may not be thorough enough to ensure that all deliverables are met and that resources are released.
- The lessons learned from the project may not be effectively shared with stakeholders, or the feedback may not be adequately taken into account for future projects.
- The stakeholders may not be properly informed of the project outcome, and may not be fully engaged in the closure process.
| End of the project — recommended articles |
| Development of the project — Execution of the project — Applications of project management — Project boundary — Deliverable of the project — Implementation of change — Success of the project — Delivery of the project — Project implementation phase |
References
- Balachandra, R., Brockhoff, K. K., & Pearson, A. W. (1996). R&D project termination decisions: processes, communication, and personnel changes. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 13(3), 245-256.
