The Project Manager is responsible for delivering the project, with authority and responsibility from the Project Board to run the project on a day-to-day basis. The project manager is the individual responsible for delivering the project. The individual leads and manages the project team,
with authority and responsibility from the project board, to run the project on a day-to-day basis. In the NI public sector, PRojects IN Controlled Environments2 (PRINCE2) is the standard project management method and is applicable to all project types. As well as the formal
responsibilities set out in methods such as PRINCE2, the project manager has an important role in interfacing between the project and the business area. This is important for communicating and encouraging the need for transformation and change within the business area in
tandem with the delivery of new capabilities from the project. The readiness of the business to exploit the new capability is crucial to success. Without this state of readiness in the business, there are likely to be disruptions and delays in the plan for benefits realisation. The project manager, operating within agreed
reporting structures, is responsible for: In construction projects the project manager also provides the interface between the project sponsor and the supply side of the project team. The project manager should be able to: The project manager should be appropriately trained in project management techniques and processes. For substantial projects, accredited training such as PRINCE2
Practitioner should be considered. It is essential that the skills and experience of the project manager are matched to the requirements of the project and the business should fund appropriate training. When it comes to project management, closing out a project isn’t just a matter of executing deliverables. Though the process may seem tedious or overly administrative, a formal closure phase ensures all loose ends are tied up, documentation is signed and approved, contractors are paid, and everyone is on the same page. The closing phase also gives you the opportunity to review and evaluate the project’s success (or failure), which is crucial for planning and executing successful projects in the future. Here’s how to navigate the project management closure process. What is project closure?The project lifecycle consists of five groups:
The closing phase of project management is the final phase of the project lifecycle. This is the stage where all deliverables are finalized and formally transferred, and all documentation is signed off, approved, and archived. The project closure process ensures that:
The project management closure process also gives the team the opportunity to review and evaluate the project’s performance to ensure future projects’ success. Importance of closing a projectAt first glance, it might seem like completing the first four phases of the project lifecycle would be all you need to do to tie up your project and call it good. However, without a formal closing process, you risk letting crucial details fall through the cracks, which can result in confusion, a never-ending project, dissatisfied clients, and even liability issues. Project closure helps avoid:
Following a clear project closure plan helps you properly transition your solution to the client or end-user. This process ensures the final stakeholders have the information, resources, and training to successfully manage and use the end product. The project closure process also ensures the project is formally completed and is no longer considered a project, allowing you to hand the reins over to the correct team in charge of managing and maintaining the project’s outputs. By officially closing a project, you minimize risks, increase client satisfaction, and ensure all parties are on the same page. In other words, project closure is a process you can’t afford to skip. 7 steps to closing a projectThe closing phase of project management involves several steps. Work through the following checklist to ensure your project is successfully completed. 1. Formally transfer all deliverablesThe first step to closing out your project is to finalize and transfer the project deliverables to the client. Go through your project plan to identify all deliverables and make sure they have been fully completed and handed off. 2. Confirm project completionNext, confirm the project is complete. It’s not enough to declare a project done yourself. Each person involved needs to agree on the project’s completion before you can formally close it out and move on. If you skip this step, you may continue to receive (and be charged for) change requests by the client. To confirm the project’s completion, you will need to obtain approvals for the project deliverables (i.e., all stakeholders must agree that you delivered on all parts of the project plan) with official sign-offs from the project stakeholders. Be sure to document this step so you have proof that the project close was formally signed off. 3. Review all contracts and documentationOnce you have completed the project hand-off and received approvals from the clients, you can begin closing out your contracts. Review all the project documentation to ensure all parties have been paid for the work and there are no outstanding invoices. 4. Release resourcesFormally release resources from the project, including suppliers, contractors, team members, and any other partners. Notify them of the end of the project, confirm any final payments or obligations, and officially release them so they are free to work on other projects. 5. Conduct a post-mortemA post-mortem or project review is one of the most valuable steps of the project closure process. This is a time to review the successes, failures, and challenges of the project and identify opportunities for improvement going forward. As you begin your post-mortem, conduct a performance review of the project. In other words, calculate the project’s performance in terms of cost, schedule, and quality. Consider these questions:
Next, conduct a survey or hold a meeting with the project management team to get feedback on how the project went. These individual answers will help paint a more comprehensive picture of the project’s performance. (If you follow scrum methodology, your team should conduct a sprint retrospective to gather this information.) Have your team consider the following questions:
With the project performance and feedback in mind, you can then identify lessons learned and opportunities for the future. Pro tip: Visuals can help you better analyze team performance as well as any roadblocks along the way, so you can execute projects better and faster in the future. Keep in mind that the goal of a post-mortem is not to assign blame for any mistakes. Instead, it is a learning opportunity for everyone to improve on future projects. Document your project review with the performance measurement, feedback, and improvement plan. 6. Archive documentationOnce you’ve completed your project post-mortem, you can finalize all documentation (contracts, project plans, scope outline, costs, schedule, etc.) and index them in the company archives for later reference. Be sure to keep clear notes on the project’s performance and improvement opportunities so you can easily reference and implement them on similar projects in the future. 7. CelebrateFinally, don’t forget to celebrate! The end of a project is a big accomplishment and represents the culmination of many hours of hard work and dedication from a team of contributors. An end-of-project party is a great way to acknowledge your team’s hard work and increase morale. Plus, a happy team is more likely to work with you in the future so you can build on your past successes and become a more effective unit going forward. Once the paperwork is filed, and the reviews are over, kick back and take time to celebrate the successful close together—you’ve earned it! Which of the following are the project manager responsibilities during the closing phase?Closing Processes Activities
Obtain acceptance of the project deliverables. Hand off operations and support responsibilities. Document the lessons learned over the course of the project. Formalize closure.
What happens in the closing stage of project management?The closing phase of project management is the final phase of the project lifecycle. This is the stage where all deliverables are finalized and formally transferred, and all documentation is signed off, approved, and archived.
What is the role of a project manager during the project close out?Project closeout is a process project managers use to conclude all completed activities in the different phases of a project. The process typically involves transferring deliverables to the client, evaluating the project, allocating resources, and communicating with relevant stakeholders.
Which of the following are project manager responsibilities?What Are the Responsibilities of a Project Manager?. Plan and Develop the Project Idea. Every project starts as an idea. ... . Create and Lead Your Dream Team. ... . Monitor Project Progress and Set Deadlines. ... . Solve Issues That Arise. ... . Manage the Money. ... . Ensure Stakeholder Satisfaction. ... . Evaluate Project Performance.. |