Project Closeout, Analysis and Archives: Utilization for Organizational Life Cycle Optimization
There is an old adage that says, “It takes a village, to raise a child.” I would often reflect upon this saying, while evaluating the undertaking of a major project.
Planning, implementing, and completing a building project, regardless of the scale, can take several months or even years of project feasibility study, analysis, and planning.
The undertaking can sometimes appear daunting, at first, but also be exciting and inspirational and allow a path of growth that is unmatched.
If fortunate enough to be a part of, included or instrumental in any part of the building project endeavor, one can be sure to encounter reflections of effective project management, teamwork and process/project related protocols that bode exceptionally well.
By executing a project utilizing the traditional project management process groups of initiation, planning, executing, monitor & controlling and closeout; the final stage, project closeout, includes an area of capturing, reflecting, and documenting the appropriately called, Lessons Learned.
Conducting a thorough Project Closeout, Analysis and Archives, are key in recognizing their impact and utilizing their benefits for the Project Life Cycle Optimization for Your Organization.
Oftentimes , the archiving of valuable lessons learned closeout information, stakeholder reviews, post project evaluations and proper team member exit conferences, fall by the wayside and the opportunity to capture the highlights of “what went right” along the way, gets lost in transition.
Including in the project schedule the time and effort required to effectively meet the goals of this process can be extremely useful in the vetting of future project undertakings, planning and implementation.
Here are some activities or tips for being attentive to this process and encouraging this effort in your project charter:
Begin the process of establishing and gathering closeout documentation in the initiation stage with the end of the project in mind.
Define, create, fine tune and monitor your lessons learned module as progressively elaborated throughout the project and as the client and end user requirements and needs requirements are being further established and adhered to.
Be careful and cautious of scope creep and gold plating. Provide all the work and only the work as identified in the project scope.
Administratively and functionally assess project deliverables and turnover requirements.
Be aware, available and responsive to your organizations contractual obligations to product, contractor and warranty requirements.
Upon successful completion and turnover, consider an occasional project life cycle “pulse” check. Be aware and abreast of new developments.
Inclusion of this important lessons learned lifecycle process in your projects can lead to successful and measurable project management and greatly assist in assessment and planning of the organizations future project endeavors. NFB
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