Category: Ending a Project

To simplify the coverage of this process, I have assumed that our project completed as planned, and that any contracts involved also ended at the same time the project completed. In reality, many of these project-ending steps could and should be done at the end of each project phase and not just at the end…

The proper ending of a project is the most neglected project management process. To understand why and to better prepare yourself for this important activity, let’s review the common challenges that project managers and organizations have at this stage:

With these principles in mind, the 13 steps included in the project end checklist will ensure that you perform a complete project close and leave the stakeholders with a positive lasting impression of your project management abilities.  Note Other common names for Project End Checklist include Project Closure Checklist and Project Closeout Checklist.

Before we review the checklist items that will drive our project-ending efforts, let’s touch on the key principles that drive a successful project close:

As in most personal interactions, how we begin and end the process can make all the difference. The same can be said for projects. Continuing to use the personal interaction analogy, we know how initial impressions and the relationship we establish can make our “goodbye” extremely awkward or very exciting for the promise of what…