How to avoid project closing pitfal s
Sometime we as project manager do not prepare ourselves for closing the project, we focus much on delivering the project to the client and meet the deadline and while doing so we are dropping a lot of things which will be impossible to get it done at this stage for example status report. So here are some actions to protect you and avoid being there alone closing the project with no support:-
1- Make sure of existence of input of this stage: you can refer to PMBok Guide to know what are the needed inputs for this stage for example (Performance Results, Project Progress, Project Logs, Deliverables), having all of those documents ready will make it easy to enter this stage with need to external support or internal support from your team which might be released already to another project.
2- Get use acceptance: you can’t say we can closed the project out by just delivering the project and having client using it, you must get the client acceptance of the project, in this way you protect yourself and your company from any complaints on features which were already approved but client wants to change it, if client signed on the acceptance he can’t cheat on it.
3- Get final status report: final status report is depending on the regularly status report delivered during the project, so make sure that everyone sent his status report because you will need them to prepare the final one.
4- Get your final documentations: combine all signed off documents together because you might need it at later stage for next phase or some projects are put on hold for some reasons.
5- Celebrate: do not miss this action, it is very important to gather with your team and celebrate the success of delivering the project. In this way team members feel that company treats them as human beings not just resources on a project. It motivates people and increase the loyalty to the company.
6- Connect with your team: keep in touch with your team from time to time, they might be your team again in coming projects, having this relationships make it easy managing next project so get the benefit from current project to next ones.
7- WIFM: to let people listen to you more and be keen to continue in the project if we are just closing phase one is WIFM (What is in it for me?), tell each team member how this project is all about for him, how it will improve his career path in the company and how it will enrich his CV.
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