Project closure checklist

Learning objectives

• Verify results, controls and governance before closure.
• Confirm finance-validated benefits and residual-risk owners.
• Capture lessons and recognition, not only numbers.

Results

• Sustained Y and CTQ across the validation window
• Guardrails held (output, safety, cost)
• Stability and capability as relevant
• Target disposition documented (met, partially met, not met with reason)
• Benefits validated by owner and finance

Process and control

• Implementation complete
• Control plan and reaction tested
• SOP and standard work current
• MSA and training refreshed
• Residual risks and CAPA owners assigned

Governance and learning

• Process owner accepts handover
• Evidence and data archived securely
• Sponsor approval and audit dates set
• Replication opportunities listed
• Actual versus plan and lessons shared
• Recognition documented

Copy-friendly closure checklist

• All rows above ticked with evidence link
• Open actions have owners and dates
• No temporary controls left in place
• Self-study disclaimer honoured — no accredited-certification claim in closure documents

Garment-factory example

A DHU project closes with three months of sustained performance, finance-signed savings, an assigned CAPA for one residual supplier risk, an audit date in the plant calendar and a replication proposal for a sister line.

Method

1. Close on evidence, not calendar.
2. Assign every open item an owner and date.
3. Publish lessons so the next team benefits.

Common mistakes

• Closing by date despite unmet target and no reason.
• Leaving temporary controls as permanent.
• Claiming accredited certification at closure.