The closing phase is imperative to any project as it ensures all aspects of the project have been completed as desired. As discussed in the lecture, there are many different processes and tasks that must be completed in this phase ranging from closing out contracts to passing off the project to the manufacturing team. One of the important steps in this phase is to ensure that the design history file is completed, and all documentation is archived correctly. As Dr. Simon had mentioned, a company can always be audited and silly mistakes on documentation, which could have easily been avoided, can cause a lot of trouble. Other than this, I believe reflecting on the project is also a vital step that should be conducted more often. Although a lesson’s learned document is not mandatory, it would be a good practice to create it as it can help anyone who may reference the project in the future. Based on other posts I have seen, this is common within industry, so it seems like a great final step to reflect on and close out a project.
The final step, the final nail in the coffin closing phase. The most important thing in all experiences including a project is what you learned from it. In the lecture Dr.Simon mentioned "LOG WHAT YOU LEARN", and I completely agree with this Step. As not only does it help the next project out but more importantly you as individually can learn a lot from your own mistakes and try and improve by not making such mistakes or even use what you did to over come a hurdle that you might have encountered in the past. Basically if you don't learn from it its a failure not an experience so even if the project doesn't succeed as per the initially plan, if we are able to better ourself from it can be classified as an experience rather than a failure.
Closing phase is the final phase in the project life cycle, after Monitoring and Controlling phases, to formally recognize project completion. As stated in the lecture, during this phase, all contracts are closed, all payments are made to whomever must be paid, final performance reports are given, everything that was learn should be logged for future projects, and finally, the project is handed off.
The closing phase involves closing out contracts with outsourced resources for legal documentation and proof of service. After the contracts are closed and the project is deemed finished, the team needs to be paid. The PM then writes a final report on the projects listing the successes, failures, and other project results. An important part of the closeout is logging everything learned during the project--again, successful methods in each phase of the project and production cycle. Finally, the PM hands all documentation to the administrative body, and the project is officially closed.
I agree with @am2343 that it is important that all documents such as the design history file be effectively documented and stored during the closing phase. The reason for this is that it may need to be referred to in the future if an issue arises in relation to the deliverable produced by the project. This also helps showcase why it is important to create and store various documents including drafts during the development of a medical device, so that references in the future can be done with greater ease. In addition, I believe that the process of conducting performance reports and meeting with members of the project can also be a good indicator of whether individuals are personally satisfied with the completion of the project. Furthermore, noting lessons learned at the closing phase of the project can be beneficial to the company for performing new projects in the future. The reason for this is that if a future project is similar, the lessons from this project can be used to avoid repeating any errors or mistakes.
I think that the most important part of the Closing Phase is the logging of lessons that were learned. This is especially important for projects that were closed prematurely, as the reasons for their failure can be learned from and used for future Planning Phases. This will allow these setbacks to be avoided or prepared for in future projects.
As many have already described the steps that happen during the closing phase I would like to discuss the importance of the closing phase in a project. At first, the project closure might seem like an obvious and effortless phase of the project. But it is very important to properly close the project. A proper closure ensures avoidance of similar mistakes in the future, helps to identify the team that will maintain the solution following delivery, ensure proper support and resources for the final product, and avoids liability issues. By the official closure of the project, client satisfaction is ensured and all stakeholders can be in peace of mind. And do not forget to celebrate!
The closing phase is not always reached, as some projects fail in the middle of the project life cycle. For those projects that do reach the end, the step that first comes to mind is handing the project off or utilizing it! All of the hard work has paid off at this point and seeing the project in action is a beautiful thing. Another step would be to pay all who are involved. The team was a vital part of the project and without the labor and resources, the closing phase would not exist. Another key step that is often overlooked it recording what you learned. This is important because these lessons are taken into the next project and can also be passed along to make the process easier for someone else. Another important step is organizing documentation and reports. This is important for future projects and filing reasons.
The end of the Monitoring and Controlling Phase is marked by the Closing Phase. What are steps that need to be followed to ensure that phase is carried out effectively?
The closing phase is the final phase of a project's lifecycle and is one of the most important. The closing phase is making sure what should be delivered is effective, mistake-free, and all the documentation is accurate and archived. The closing phase ensures that the scope and objective are complete, the execution phase is complete, and that all the parties involved in the project have signed off on their respective portions and all the documentation is accounted for. Making sure that these few things are checked off will make future projects more efficient, build a strong rapport with stakeholders and vendors, and reduce potential holes as the project is being completed and delivered.
One important component of closing is creating a project closure report. This project closure report lists every activity that is required in order to close the project. This report enables the project manager and the team to make sure they are completing every single activity required to close the report smoothly and efficiently. The project closure may include identifying project closing criteria, listing outstanding activities, creating a plan to pass deliverables to the customer, closing supplier contracts and agreements, releasing projects resources to the business, and how to communicate the closure of the project. Once this report is approved, the project manager then has a list of activities it can assign to their team to make sure of proper closing.
@ashleyfitzsimmons provides a good summary of a major component of the closing phase. The closure report gives the team and project manager the chance to ensure completion of each task/activity needed to have an efficient closure. It is also important to log what you learn and record everything in case something may be needed for future projects. Some additional steps that are important in this phase are closing out contracts and, reviewing material and handing off the product.
@delany you made a good point, not all projects make it to this phase so that's important to understand. Sometimes events occur that force the project to end in the middle of its cycle. I agree that it's important to make records of what was learned. It can be useful in other projects to have an understanding of what worked and didn't, making things a bit smoother.
The closing phase is imperative to any project as it ensures all aspects of the project have been completed as desired. As discussed in the lecture, there are many different processes and tasks that must be completed in this phase ranging from closing out contracts to passing off the project to the manufacturing team. One of the important steps in this phase is to ensure that the design history file is completed, and all documentation is archived correctly. As Dr. Simon had mentioned, a company can always be audited and silly mistakes on documentation, which could have easily been avoided, can cause a lot of trouble. Other than this, I believe reflecting on the project is also a vital step that should be conducted more often. Although a lesson’s learned document is not mandatory, it would be a good practice to create it as it can help anyone who may reference the project in the future. Based on other posts I have seen, this is common within industry, so it seems like a great final step to reflect on and close out a project.
I agree with this take on the closing phase. Although it is a lot going on here, and some may be tempted to skip around the documentation, things must be done correctly. This ensures that if problems arise later, you can quickly correct or pull the information needed to defend. No one wants to be caught in an audit where papers cannot be located nor one where things just weren't documented. (Trust me I know.) During my college years, I was the person responsible for keeping up with the documents for possible audits for the foundation. It was such a hassle trying to find, file, and stomach the mess that collected. Failing to properly document just has the audit team in your hair a few days, weeks, or months longer than necessary.
In project management, the closing phase is the final phase of the project lifecycle. All deliverables are finalized and formally transferred during this stage, and all documentation will be signed off, approved, and archived. The closing phase is when everything has been completed according to the project plan and scope.
Per the lecture, the steps which need to be followed to ensure the closing phase is carried out effectively are: closing out contracts, pay whomever needs to be paid, give final performance reports, log what was learned so it can be used on the next project, and hand off the product. When closing out contracts, one needs to mindful of signing all necessary contracts to make sure they are closed and resolve any issues that may be open. Some of the processes involved in the closing process are: updating records, archiving records, and releasing the team.
During the closing phase there are a few things that must be done to complete the project. One of those things archiving documentations. They must receive acceptance of the deliverables, release resources, confirm project completion. They must review all contracts and documentations sign off from the project.
