Concepts
In the area of program management, the closure of constituent projects upon completion of defined deliverables is a key process that should be followed to ensure scope compliance with the functional overview. This process aligns with standards established by globally recognized institutions such as Project Management Institute (PMI) and is critical in establishing a rigorously controlled program management environment.
Exam candidates preparing for the Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification should familiarize themselves with the four interrelated activities associated with this process:
- Project Assessment
- Deliverable Verification
- Closure Approval
- Documentation and Archival
Towards Successful Project Closure: A Four-Step Overview
1. Project Assessment:
At the completion of each constituent project, a review should be conducted to assess whether the project has met its objectives and produced the planned deliverables. This review involves comparing the actual project outcomes with the expected outcomes defined in the project scope.
| Planned Outcomes | Actual Outcomes | Variance |
|---|---|---|
| Deliverable A | Deliverable A | None |
| Deliverable B | Deliverable B | None |
| Deliverable C | N/A | Deliverable C not produced |
2. Deliverable Verification:
After assessing project results, verify if the project deliverables meet the standards defined in the scope. This step might require a review of documentation, physical inspection, or testing. Any issues or non-compliances need to be addressed before approval for closure.
| Deliverable | Standard | Verification Result | Compliant? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deliverable A | Standard A | Pass | Yes |
| Deliverable B | Standard B | Fail | No |
| Deliverable C | Standard C | Not Applicable | No |
3. Closure Approval:
Once all project deliverables have been verified and found to be compliant with the defined standards, the project can be approved for closure. It must be confirmed that the project has satisfied its objectives and deliverables, and has met other defined closure criteria.
| Approval Criteria | Compliance |
|---|---|
| All deliverables produced | Yes |
| Deliverables meet standards | No |
| Project objectives satisfied | Yes |
4. Documentation and Archival:
Finally, all project documentation, including assessments, verifications and approvals for closure, should be compiled and archived. This information can serve as a valuable reference for future projects.
While it may appear simple, the closure of projects upon completion of defined deliverables is an essential aspect of program management, which guarantees that every project within the program aligns with the overall objectives of the program. Come the “Program Management Professional (PgMP)” exam, demonstrating a thorough understanding of this facet of program management will be a key to success.
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
True or False: The closure of constituent projects should be approved upon the completion of defined deliverables to ensure scope is compliant with the functional overview.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: It’s crucial to approve the closure of constituent projects when all defined deliverables are completed and verified, thus ensuring scope compliance with the functional overview.
Multiple Select: What steps should be followed for the closure of constituent projects?
- a) Evaluation of all completed deliverables
- b) Sudden termination without review
- c) Approvals from stakeholders
- d) Conducting a thorough report of project outcomes
Answer: a, c, d
Explanation: The closure of constituent projects should involve evaluation of completed deliverables, obtaining approvals from pertinent stakeholders, and conducting a thorough report of project outcomes.
True or False: Deliverables need to be defined before the approval of the project closure.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Before approving the closure of a project, it is crucial to have a well-defined set of deliverables to ensure the project scope is met.
Single Select: What is the key reason for approving the closure of constituent projects upon completion of defined deliverables?
- a) To ensure budget compliance
- b) To facilitate stakeholder communication
- c) To ensure scope is compliant with the functional overview
- d) For project risk management
Answer: c
Explanation: Approving the closure of constituent projects upon completion of defined deliverables ensures scope compliance with the functional overview.
True or False: It is okay to close constituent projects even if some of the defined deliverables are not completed.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: All defined deliverables must be completed before a constituent project can be closed to ensure scope compliance with the functional overview.
Multiple Select: What aspects should be verified before closing a constituent project?
- a) Completion of defined deliverables
- b) Financial compliance
- c) Quality Assurance
- d) Stakeholder approval
Answer: a, c, d
Explanation: Before approving the closure of a project, it is crucial to verify the completion of deliverables, ensure Quality Assurance, and gain stakeholder approval.
True or False: The functional overview does not play a significant role in approving the closure of a project.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The functional overview plays a vital role in determining if the completed deliverables are compliant with the scope of the project.
Single Select: Who is primarily responsible for approving the closure of a constituent project in a program?
- a) Program Manager
- b) Finance Manager
- c) Project Team
- d) Stakeholders
Answer: a
Explanation: As the overseer of the program, the Program Manager is primarily responsible for approving or disapproving project closure.
True or False: Failing to approve the closure of constituent projects can lead to scope creep.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The failure to ensure all deliverables are completed and verify the project scope before closure can lead to scope creep, or the uncontrolled expansion of the project scope.
Single Select: Upon completion of the project’s deliverables, the functional overview should be…
- a) Ignored
- b) Changed
- c) Dissected and rewritten
- d) Compliant
Answer: d
Explanation: Upon completion of all deliverable, the project’s scope should be compliant with its functional overview.
This is crucial for ensuring project deliverables align with the overall program objectives.
Thanks, this blog clarified my doubts about project closure in PgMP.
Does anyone have specific criteria they use to evaluate whether deliverables meet the functional overview?
I appreciate the detailed explanation. It’s helping me prepare for the PgMP exam.
What steps do you recommend for aligning project scope with the functional overview?
Great post! Very helpful for setting up my projects for successful closure.
I believe regularly updating stakeholders can ensure that scope remains compliant.
Appreciate the insights! This is a game-changer for my program management approach.