successful project management - Commonwealth of Learning

Project closure
You will recall that among the PCTS formula, time is of essence in project
management. This means there is a definite end when the defined project outcome is
delivered. At this point, the project needs to be brought to an end, or closed down. Its
resources, both people and technology, need to be released and reallocated. The
project should be allowed to close, and a final meeting for the project team members
ought to convene to formalise the closure. Thereafter, if the project was to develop a
learner support model, or to set up quality management systems, for example,
subsequent activities of monitoring should not be regarded as continuation of the
project. Rather, it is its monitoring. At the point of closure, it is time for you to
congratulate yourself as a manager, and the project team for having self-actualised!
To sum up, getting to the successful stage, you will have been following this cycle.
Figure 8A The project cycle
Define the project
Set goals
Evaluate
Plan & organise
Implement
Establish controls
Before you move on to the last chapter, in which case studies are presented for
discussion, go through the following checklist that can be used to ensure compliance
with key aspects of a given project.
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