PMP Certification: Close Project or Phase (based on PMBOK® Guide, 6th Edition)

— (updated )
  • WHAT Close Project or Phase Is. Close Project or Phase implies completing all work to formally close the entire project or just a phase in the project life cycle.
  • WHY Close Project or Phase Is Important.By performing the Close Project or Phase process, a project manager ensures that the project is closed properly and that future projects will be able to leverage records originated from closing – future organizational process assets.
  • WHEN Close Project or Phase Is Executed. In the real world, the Close Project or Phase process is used to close a project prior to handover of deliverables or to complete a phase of the project prior to approval to proceed to the next phase. On the PMP exam, it is assumed to take place at the end of the project or phase.

Project Integration Management (by Process Groups) — PMBOK® Guide, 6th Edition Update

Develop Project Charter

Develop Project Management Plan

Direct and Manage Project Work

Manage Project Knowledge

Monitor and Control Project Work

Perform Integrated Change Control

Close Project or Phase

Click here for a detailed analysis of each project management process group and knowledge area.

Image titled pmp certification close project or phase pmbok guide 6th edition

Close Project or Phase 101

What Does Close Project or Phase Involve and When Do You Perform It in a Project Life Cycle?

  • WHAT Close Project or Phase Is. Close Project or Phase implies completing all work to formally close the entire project or just a phase in the project life cycle.
  • WHY Close Project or Phase Is Important.By performing the Close Project or Phase process, a project manager ensures that the project is closed properly and that future projects will be able to leverage records originated from closing – future organizational process assets.
  • WHEN Close Project or Phase Is Executed. In the real world, the Close Project or Phase process is used to close a project prior to handover of deliverables or to complete a phase of the project prior to approval to proceed to the next phase. On the PMP exam, it is assumed to take place at the end of the project or phase.
  • HOW Close Project or Phase Operates.
InputsTools and techniquesOutputs
  1. Project charter
  2. Project management plan
    • All components
  3. Project documents
    • Assumption log
    • Basis of estimates
    • Change log
    • Issue log
    • Lessons learned register
    • Milestone list
    • Project communications
    • Quality control measurements
    • Quality reports
    • Requirements documentation
    • Risk register
    • Risk report
  4. Accepted deliverables
  5. Business documents
    • Business case
    • Benefits management plan
  6. Agreements
  7. Procurement documentation
  8. Organizational process assets
  1. Expert judgment
  2. Data analysis
    • Document analysis
    • Regression analysis
    • Trend analysis
    • Variance analysis
  3. Meetings
  1. Project documents updates
    • Lessons learned register
  2. Final product, service, or result transition
  3. Final report
  4. Organizational process assets updates

Source: PMBOK® Guide, 6th ed., Chapter 4, section 4.7, p. 121.

Close Project or Phase Key Terms

What Are the Key Terms to Fully Understand the Process of Closing Project or Phase?pmp exam 2018 all-in-one free online training tipsographic

  • Configuration Identification. Identifying uniquely all items within the product configuration.
  • Configuration Status Accounting. Capturing, storing, and accessing configuration information needed to manage products and product information effectively.
  • Configuration Verification and Auditing. Establishing that the performance and functional requirements defined in the configuration documentation have been met.

Close Project or Phase Tips

What Are the Best Tips to Answer Correctly the PMP Certification Exam Questions on Close Project or Phase Process?

  • Closing. Every project always needs to end, regardless of the context under which it stops, is terminated, or is completed.
  • Flow of Contractual and Administrative Closure. A project manager completes contractual closure first, then administrative closure.
  • Flow of Deliverables.
    1. Created in Direct and Manage Project Work process
    2. Verified as correct in Control Quality process
    3. Inspected and accepted by customer in Validate Scope process
    4. Formal recognition by a client with sign off in Close Project or Phase process.
  • Lesson Learned. Project Management Institute (PMI) values lessons learned as one of the most important organizational process assets in project management. A project manager should collect lesson learned information at the end of each phase and not to wait until the end of the project.

Click here for a detailed analysis of each project management process group and knowledge area.

SOURCES: Project Management Institute (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). 6th ed. Newtown Square: Project Management Institute.

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