CLOSING THE RESCUE PROJECT

As a rescue project progresses it should start to deliver consistently and according to its plan. You should be able to sense this happening. There are two tell-tale signs that you should be alert for. The first sign is that the daily meeting is quick and uneventful. The second sign is that everything is delivered on time or early. When this happens it is time to close the rescue project.

Closing the rescue project simply means returning it to the mainstream project. Practically, this involves handing the day-to-day management to the work package manager. This should be done in a controlled manner. The work package manager and you should hold a short meeting. At the meeting you should review the plan and any outstanding risks. You should also review the control methods being applied. All of the review should be recorded in some meeting notes, which should ultimately bear the signatures of you and the work package manager.

Upon formal closure of the project you should take time to gather the project team together and thank them for recovering the task. It is a good idea if you can arrange a small thank-you for those involved. When the closure activities are complete you should ensure that you also inform the steering group of the success.