Project Closure and Oversight
Topic: | Project Closure and Oversight | Topic Objectives: | By the end of this tutorial you should be able: * To appreciate the importance of engaging in project reviews * To identify the major elements of a project review * To understand key issues surrounding project closure * To provide useful advice for conducting performance reviews of project members. * To develop an appreciation for the value of lessons learned * To provide a primer of retrospective methodology * To encourage students to pursue a career in project management * To understand the operational environment in which you execute your project * To identify and discuss major challenges confronting the practice of project management * To provide guidance in pursing a career in project management. | Reference: | Larson and Gray, 2011, PM: The Managerial Process, Chapter 14, 16 |
Learning Tasks: |
SECTION A: Short Answer Questions | 1. What major information would you expect to find in a project review? * Classification of the project—e.g., large/small, platform/incremental, complex/ typical * Analysis of information gathered * Recommendations * Lessons learned * An appendix with backup information to support recommendations. 2. Why is it difficult to perform a truly independent, objective review?In most cases those performing the review have some previous knowledge of the project, which presents opportunities for bias. Sometimes the review team, or facilitator, is perceived as a jury, but even jury members come with built-in biases. For example, internal politics have been known to enter into decisions concerning closure of a project. The simple point is that every attempt should be made to keep the review independent and objective. If the review of projects is a regular procedure for all projects, the negative stigma of audits is minimized. 3. Why should you separate performance
Learning Tasks: |
SECTION A: Short Answer Questions | 1. What major information would you expect to find in a project review? * Classification of the project—e.g., large/small, platform/incremental, complex/ typical * Analysis of information gathered * Recommendations * Lessons learned * An appendix with backup information to support recommendations. 2. Why is it difficult to perform a truly independent, objective review?In most cases those performing the review have some previous knowledge of the project, which presents opportunities for bias. Sometimes the review team, or facilitator, is perceived as a jury, but even jury members come with built-in biases. For example, internal politics have been known to enter into decisions concerning closure of a project. The simple point is that every attempt should be made to keep the review independent and objective. If the review of projects is a regular procedure for all projects, the negative stigma of audits is minimized. 3. Why should you separate performance