​Our comprehensive PMO Framework covers the project lifecycle in 4 phases: Concept, Initiation, Delivery and Close.  Having a clear Framework, with a standard methodology, process and tools, is critical to seeing a project successfully through to the end. 
 
Just because a project has realized its expected outcomes or results, the project is not yet quite over!  The final project phase in our PMO Framework is the Close Phase.  Don’t miss the opportunity to dot the I’s and cross the T’s…there is tremendous value in learning from your project successes and mishaps.  
 
Below, are the key activities we recommend occur during the Close Phase of your project. 
 
PM Checklist for the Close Phase:
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• Obtain Customer & Stakeholder Acceptance of Project Outcome(s)
• Perform Project Performance Review
• Conduct “Lessons Learned” Session(s)
• Document “Lessons Learned”
• Assemble Sign-off Governance Document
• Review Sign-off Governance Document
• Administrative Close of Project

 
Often overlooked, the Close phase of a project is critical to making sure all activities are completed and documented.  Don’t miss the opportunity to bring your team and stakeholders together to learn from the project experience.  And don’t forget to celebrate a project well planned and executed!

What do you recommend occur during the close phase of a project?  Do your project teams perform a “Lessons Learned” exercise?

In the planning phase, we identify the what, who and why for change.  In the making the change phase, we execute the communication, measure the key performance indicators (KPIs) and make continuous improvements based on the measurements.

The final phase of our organizational change management approach occurs when the majority of the change has occurred.  At this point you are making sure that the changes are reinforced and maintained, and become ingrained in the way the organization works.

Measuring

• Measurement and tracking of the change continues
• Ongoing measurement may indicate that some additional tweaks to the People, Process and Technology elements are necessary and need to be made.

Communication

• Continue communicating the change and about the success of the change.

 Celebrate

• Finally, don’t forget to celebrate and reward your champions and employees

Even the best planned and executed change efforts can fail, if the messages and behaviors are not reinforced.  How have you developed an OCM approach for your organization and what you did to reinforce the change?

​Our comprehensive PMO Framework covers the project lifecycle in 4 phases: Concept, Initiation, Delivery and Close.  Having a clear Framework, with a standard methodology, process and tools, is critical to seeing a project successfully through to the end. 
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The “business” of each project happens during this, the third phase of a project: the Delivery phase.  It is during this phase that the actual project outcomes/expectations are created. In other words, this is the build phase of a project.
Whether your project follows an Agile approach or a Waterfall approach, the following PM Checklist applies to you.  See the PM Checklist for the Delivery Phase below:

• Manage the Project
• Complete Assigned Tasks
• Monitor & Control
• Governance Reviews
• Create & Publish Weekly Status Reports
• Monthly Project Steering Committee Meetings

Delivery is the operational part of the project where you execute on the work done in prior phases.  Because this phase is often the longest part of your project, the activities listed above will need to be executed repeatedly in order to effectively manage the project.

Please share your most critical tasks during the Delivery Phase of a project.