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result of staffing, funding, or other resource cuts, while integration is the result of

reassignment or redeployment of the resources.

Extinction

This is the best kind of project end because extinction means the project has been
completed and accepted by the stakeholders. As such, it no longer exists because it had
a definite ending date, the goals of the project were achieved, and the project was
closed out.

Sometimes, closing out a project is like finishing a great book. You just

don’t want it to end. The team is working at peak performance, deliverables are
checked off at record pace, and camaraderie is high. If you practice good project
management techniques and keep the communication channels open, most of
your projects can fall into this category.

Now that you’ve determined the reason for your project ending, it’s time to examine
the steps in project closeout and obtain formal written acceptance of the project.

Steps in Closing Out a Project

Closing out a project involves several steps, as shown here:

Obtaining formal sign-off and acceptance of the project

Transferring the results of the project to operations and maintenance

Releasing project resources

Closing out contracts

Performing administrative closure

Documenting historical information for future projects

Conducting lessons learned

Preparing the project close report

The project isn’t finished until the sponsor or the customer signs on the dotted line. I’ll
cover obtaining sign-off next.

Obtaining Sign-Off

Project closeout involves accepting the final product or service of the project and then
turning it over to the organization. Obtaining formal written sign-off and acceptance of
the project is the primary focus of the Closing phase.

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