Case Study - "Launching a New Product Line

You work for a firm that manufactures and distributes haircare products. To this point, your sales have primarily been to retail outlets. The firm has decided to launch a new product line of bulk-packaged hair care products to be sold and distributed to organisations such as hospitals, gyms, schools and universities with residences for students, and similar customers. You are in charge of the team who must present a project plan for the production, sales, and distribution of the new product line to potential investors in order to secure funding to bring the new product to market".

Activity: Project Completion

Eventually, the aims and objectives of the project will be achieved and you will feel like the project is finished. Think again. You still have some steps to ensure that your project is closed and complete. The first is called project closure. Project closure consists of completing any outstanding project items, making sure all project-related contract commitments have been fulfilled, completing a final budget review, thanking those who helped with the project, making sure all project data and documents are stored for later access and analysing what worked and what did not. Project closure is not a one-person process, and will often involve several project stakeholders. You will need to make these stakeholders understand that although the aims and objectives of the project have been completed, their input may still be needed for project closure.

The second step to ensure your project is closed and complete is the post-implementation review (PIR). The PIR is used to assess and evaluate the project. Specifically, it analyses whether the project fully completed its scope, aims and objectives, how the results of the project could be taken further in the future for additional benefits and lessons learned from the project. The PIR should be completed shortly after the project has been closed, but be sure to allow time for any last-minute project changes or results to take effect. Every project may not require a PIR, but it will usually be beneficial to the organisation, especially in an organisation that is new to project management practices or organisations that place high importance on project management.

To prepare for this Shared Activity:

• Review the websites from your resources that provide information on project closure and the post-implementation review.

• Search the Internet and the University of Roehampton online library for additional resources about project closure and the post-implementation review.

• Think about what is involved in a project closure, and why a project closure is performed.

• Consider what a PIR entails, and why a PIR is performed.

To complete this Shared Activity:

• Explain at least two potential issues that may arise when a project closure is not performed, including how you might resolve these issues. Be specific and use examples from your own personal experience to support your post.

Explain two ways a post-implementation review can enable a project manager to improve future projects.

I want plagiarism free solution and havard style referencing.

Mastering-project-management.com, (2009) Project Closure - Whether Your 1st or 21st Project, Successful Completion Involves a Few Important Steps..., Available at: http://www.mastering-project-management.com/project-closure.html (accessed: 12/09/12)

Mind Tools, (2012) Post-Implementation Reviews: Making Sure that What You Delivered Actually Works, Available at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_74.htm (accessed: 12/09/12)