Ch. 15

Question 1

When does a project move into the closing stage?

Answer 1

When customers
1. validate that the scope is complete, and
2. accept the project deliverables.

Question 2

What is validate scope?

Answer 2

Validate scope is formally accepting the completed project deliverables. Stakeholders validate that scope is complete with interim deliverables throughout the project and with final deliverables near the end. When the stakeholders formally accept the final project deliverables, the project completes the executing stage and proceeds into the closing and realizing stages.

Question 3

What is the purpose of a “punch list”?

Answer 3

The punch list is the list of “work items that are identified during a final inspection that need to be completed.

Question 4

What should a project manager refer back to in order to make sure that all planned work has, in fact, been completed?

Answer 4

• the charter
• scope statement
• WBS
• schedule
• communications plans

Many organizations also use “project closeout checklists” that itemize typical project activities and/or deliverables. These can be used to assign responsibility to each item concerning project closeout.

Question 5

Under what conditions can a project be terminated early?

Answer 5

• As a result of mutual agreement between the contractor and buyer
• because one of the parties has defaulted (for cause),
• for convenience of the buyer.

Question 6

If both parties agree to stop the project before its planned completion but cannot reach an agreement via direct negotiation, what can be done?

Answer 6

1. either courts or
2. alternative dispute resolution

… can be used to reach a settlement.

Question 7

Terminations for default often result from a problem with the project’s ____, _____, or _____.

Answer 7

cost, schedule, or performance.

Question 8

When might a contract clause be invoked?

Answer 8

If a customer decides to terminate a project for convenience

Question 9

During project closing, customers are asked both to accept the project deliverables and to _______.

Answer 9

provide feedback

Question 10

What should be done with any activities that remain incomplete at the time of project closure?

Answer 10

Often, a few little things are not yet finished, and these can form a “punch list” of items to complete. The punch list is the list of “work items that are identified during a final inspection that need to be completed.”

Question 11

What is the first step in capturing lessons learned at the end of a project?

Answer 11

The project manager should send an email asking the participants to identify major project issues.

Question 12

How is a project transition plan similar to an instruction manual?

Answer 12

Project transition plans are a sort of instruction manual on how the customer should use the project deliverables once the project team has completed its work.

Question 13

What does a typical closeout report include?

Answer 13

The closeout report usually includes…
1. a summary status of the project that can be gleaned from progress reports,
2. lessons learned,
3. a review of the project’s original justification.