A symbolic ending of a project can be a final celebration to mark the end of the project and perhaps the dissolution of the team. The end of a major project is often a time to reflect. Project team members and stakeholders have typically invested a great deal of time and emotional energy into the success of the project. Because of this investment and because of the close relationships that develop during a project, project closure is often sad. Project managers stay tuned into the project team environment and use celebrations and team recognition to ameliorate the effects of project closure.
This is an opportunity to improve client satisfaction and team member satisfaction. Awards or recognition plaques might be given out to individuals who made an outstanding contribution to the project. Celebrating and reviewing the challenges and successes of the project creates a positive memory of the project and reinforces the learning that can be transferred to future projects. Groups or teams can be recognized and instances where trust between team members made a positive difference can be rewarded.
The client can be praised for contributions during planning and execution of the project.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- To close contracts, systems are tested, materials are inspected, and punch lists of work to be completed are made.
- The purpose of the postproject review is to examine decisions that were made with partial knowledge with the way the project actually developed to learn from the experience and to improve future decisions. It is also used to identify processes that can be improved.
- Original project documents, such as the charter, scope statement, and budget, are stored. Documents developed during the project, such as change agreements, are stored. Postproject reviews, including a summary of lessons learned and a final project profile description—DPCI rating—are saved.
- At the project closeout celebration, positive behavior is awarded for individuals, and groups and the client or sponsor is invited to speak to enforce a sense of satisfaction.
EXERCISES
- Why is a postproject review valuable to future projects?
- Which documents should be archived?
- Why should the project have a closeout celebration?
Internalize your learning experience by preparing to discuss the following.
Consider why it would be important to withhold a significant amount for the final payment. If you are familiar with a situation where a contractor had to spend extra to fix or finish items to complete a job, describe why they might need a financial incentive to get those jobs done.
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