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9.2 Project Closure
Closure is not just the end of work; it is the Transfer of Value. In the 2026 PMP exam, your job as a Project Manager ends only when the operational owner is fully empowered to succeed and the team's wisdom has been harvested for the enterprise.
🏁 The Final Protocol
A project must be closed formally, even if it was terminated early or canceled due to strategic shifts.
1. Formal Acceptance
The Goal
Obtain written sign-off from the Sponsor or Customer. Ensure all Acceptance Criteria have been met.
2. Operational Handoff
The Transition
Deliver the training, documentation, and "Runbooks" to the people who will live with the product daily.
3. Admin & Contract
The Cleanup
Close out all vendor contracts, settle final payments, and archive the project records in the OPA library.
4. Team Release
The People
Formally release the team members to their next units. Celebrate the success to boost morale for future projects.
🧠 Harvesting Lessons
The Lessons Learned Register is the most valuable output of closure. It should not be a "blame session" but an objective look at:
- What went right: How can we repeat this success?
- What went wrong: How can the next PM avoid this trap?
- Innovations: What new tools or tricks did we discover?
💡 2026 Shift: Canceled Projects
If a project is canceled mid-flight, do not just walk away. Your FIRST duty is to Perform Administrative Closure—documenting why it was canceled and archiving the partial deliverables and lessons.
🔄 Methodology Nuances
- Predictive: Closure occurs at the end of each phase and at the final project conclusion.
- Agile: "Closure" is a continuous pulse. Retrospectives provide closure at every sprint, while the final closure occurs when the Product Owner declares the backlog "Satisfied" or funding expires.
📝 Exam Insight: If a project is complete but the customer refuses to sign off due to a "minor issue" not previously defined in the requirements, the PM must Refer to the Acceptance Criteria. If the criteria are met, the customer is contractually obligated to accept. If not, you must fix it.