Project Termination and Closure I: Termination Types and Rea
Types of project termination
Investigating the various project termination scenarios can help you comprehend why they happen. Here are the two main types of project termination:
1. Natural project termination
When a project achieves its end goals and ends naturally, this is known as natural project termination. For instance, a development team may decide to end a software development project once the customer receives the final software design. When a project is successfully concluded, the team can move on to other projects, take a break before starting new tasks, or close all outstanding project needs. Additionally, it enables the team to deliver reports, save project files, and gauge how quickly and effectively the project has advanced.
2. Unnatural project termination
When a project ends abruptly for a variety of reasons, it is called an unnatural project termination. Unnatural project termination frequently results from financial factors like the end of funding, a sudden change in investors, or company cuts. For instance, a software development project might be terminated early if the project’s creator decides to work with a different development company that has more resources to complete the project.
What is project termination?
Whether or not a project is finished, project termination occurs when it does. This could mean that all project resources become unavailable, and staff members might move on to other projects or terminate their contracts. A business or team may be able to save time and money by choosing to end a project at the right time. There are many reasons why projects end, but ultimately the decision to end a project rests with the project manager or leader.
How to terminate a project
When ending a project, you may need to take a number of steps to make sure you notify the appropriate parties or departments, account for all project resources, and close out the project in accordance with company policies. Here are the four steps to effectively ending a project:
1. Notify everyone about the projects termination
Inform the project managers, team members, and clients that the project is being terminated, and provide an honest explanation. When ending a project, it’s critical to communicate effectively so that everyone is aware of why it’s ending and what to do next. It’s crucial to be patient when speaking with clients and explain why you can’t deliver the final product. You could help them transition by recommending a different business or service. For a more personal approach, you might also think about setting up a meeting to speak in person.
2. Pause all progress on the project
After informing everyone that the project is ending, you can stop all work on it. To stop the project from progressing further, this may entail terminating certain programs or blocking access to particular tools. It’s critical to stop work immediately to prevent significant financial losses for the abandoned project. To help the business save time and money, for instance, a remote employee might be given a termination notice and asked to stop working on a project.
3. Account for all the projects resources
After the project has been put on hold, you should account for all of its resources, including any tools, software, or physical resources you used. The recovery of these resources may enable you to use them in upcoming projects because they typically have a monetary value. To determine how much the team has already used and how much is still available for future projects, compare the resources you account for with the original estimate. This can also assist you in producing a project termination report that is more thorough and accurate.
4. Gather project reports and submit documents
A report outlining the project’s progress and termination is typically included with a project that has been terminated. Getting as much information as you can about the project before writing and submitting your report can be helpful. While some businesses don’t require documentation for completed projects, keeping thorough records for yourself can help you keep track of each project. Having access to these records can also help you spot trends in the company’s projects and possibly stop terminations in the future.
Reasons to terminate your project
Here are some common reasons to terminate a project:
FAQ
What are the reasons to terminate a project?
- Project Termination by Extinction. When a project is stopped as a result of either its successful or unsuccessful conclusion, it is known as project termination by extinction.
- Project Termination by Addition. …
- Project Termination by Integration. …
- Project Termination by Starvation.
What steps are involved in project termination?
- Adopt the Proactive Approach. …
- Plan Project’s Strategy and Project’s Implementation. …
- Manage the Project Goals. …
- Avoid Unrealistic Expectations. …
- Track Project’s Progress. …
- Identify Risk Factors. …
- Propose the Solutions. …
- Use Correct Methodology.
What is project closeout and termination?
- Expensive or does not meet company’s goal. Estimate the project’s overall cost even as it is still in the planning stage.
- Your competitors are doing a better job. …
- Project gets out of control. …
- Important or priority project comes up. …
- Failure in testing process.
Who is responsible for project termination?
- Formally transfer all deliverables. Finalizing and transferring the project deliverables to the client is the first step in wrapping up your project.
- Confirm project completion. …
- Review all contracts and documentation. …
- Release resources. …
- Conduct a post-mortem. …
- Archive documentation. …
- Celebrate.
