Process: Close Project or Phase
Process Group: Closing
Knowledge Area: Project Integration Management
Purpose
The Close Project or Phase process is performed to finalize all activities, formally complete the project or a specific phase, and ensure that all deliverables, documentation, and obligations have been addressed. It includes administrative closure, contract closeout, and the transfer of results to operations or the next phase.
Inputs
- Project Charter – Used to confirm the completion of project objectives.
- Project Management Plan – Verifies whether all components, baselines, and success criteria have been met.
- Project Documents – Includes the assumption log, change log, issue log, lessons learned register, and quality reports.
- Accepted Deliverables – Verified work outputs formally approved by stakeholders or customers.
- Business Documents – Such as the business case and benefits management plan.
- Agreements – Contracts and procurement documentation to ensure closure of external relationships.
- Procurement Documentation – To validate completion and compliance of vendor obligations.
- Organizational Process Assets (OPAs) – Closure guidelines, audit criteria, and knowledge repositories.
Tools and Techniques
- Expert Judgment – Used to assess whether closure requirements are complete and to review deliverable acceptance.
- Data Analysis –
- Document Analysis
- Regression Analysis
- Trend Analysis
- Variance Analysis
- Meetings – Final project or phase-end reviews with stakeholders and project team to confirm closure, document lessons, and recognize contributions.
Outputs
- Project or Phase Closure Documents – Formal documentation confirming the completion of work and stakeholder acceptance.
- Final Product, Service, or Result Transition – Handover of the deliverables to operations, maintenance, or the next phase.
- Final Report – Summary of performance against scope, schedule, cost, and quality metrics.
- Organizational Process Assets Updates –
- Archived documents
- Updated lessons learned register
- Historical information to support future projects
Role in the Process Group and Knowledge Area
- In the Closing Process Group, this is the sole process, ensuring that no loose ends remain before the project or phase is declared complete.
- Within Project Integration Management, it ensures that results are validated, resources are released, and organizational knowledge is captured.
Why It Matters
- Confirms Completion – Provides formal sign-off and prevents lingering responsibilities.
- Promotes Organizational Learning – Captures insights for future projects through lessons learned.
- Fulfills Compliance – Ensures all contractual, legal, and administrative tasks are satisfied.
- Enables Transition – Smoothly transfers ownership of deliverables to operations or customers.