Project Close-Out is actually a process that needs to start from the beginning of a Project. It is not something to bother only at demobilization stage. Successful close-out requires forethought and preparation, as well as continuous work throughout the Project. Unfortunately too many organizations don’t appreciate this approach, which leads to painful and costly closures of Projects and retention of moneys from the Clients. Our new White Paper 2017-08 ‘Why Project Close-Out is a Process, and not a Time Period’ explains in detail how Project Close-Out should be organized as a process.

A successful Project Close-Out is a process that needs to start at the beginning of the Project.
Project Close-Out importance is often too disregarded. We believe that a properly organized and driven close-out can be a substantial source of savings and can avoid substantial liabilities to the organization. It therefore needs to be executed properly and with the right level of urgency and focus.

In particular, some essential close-out planning and requirements are to be incorporated from the Project Start-up:

• Requirements to suppliers and contractors regarding format and timing of as-built drawings and provision of quality records,
• Policy regarding retention on suppliers’ and contractors’ payment linked to the provision of final documents,
• Organization of the archiving of the Quality Control certificates and activities in particular when activities happen in remote areas,
• Agreement with the Client on the as-built and final documentation lay-out, formatting and referencing,
• Organization of a separate document archiving centre according to the final documentation format.

The Project Close-Out phase itself is an important moment for Project Control. It is the moment where all the good work carried out during Project execution should bear fruit, in particular in the area of contract management (Claims and Change Orders final negotiation), cost control (cost close-out and final reconciliations) and documentation preparation (as-built and quality records).

Do not forget also the soft power side and organize a proper celebration and community building event so that people keep fond memories of the Project!

Read our new White Paper 2017-08 ‘Why Project Close-Out is a Process, and not a Time Period’

If you can’t access the link to the white paper, copy and paste the following link in your browser: http://www.projectvaluedelivery.com/_library/2017-08_Project-CloseOut_v0.pdf