Lesson 10 of 10·4 min

Project review and closure: distinguishing progress from completion

Project review brings together the work completed, work remaining, delivery exposure and financial position. Its purpose is to support a decision: continue as planned, correct a problem, change scope or close the project. A progress percentage is useful only when its meaning is understood.

Time passed, tasks marked complete, physical work accepted and revenue earned are different measures. A project can look nearly complete by one measure while important obligations remain.

Interpreting DNA task progress

DNA's task-detail progress calculation uses status types. To Do is represented as 0%, Review as 95% and Done as 100%. In Progress can use elapsed time from actual start relative to the planned duration, limited to 1–99%; when the required dates are unavailable, it can use 50%.

This means a progress figure can advance because time has passed. It is not an independent measurement of installed quantities, approved deliverables or earned contract value. It should never be used alone to justify progress invoicing or revenue recognition.

A practical review

Northstar's installation task shows substantial elapsed-time progress, but a critical component is still missing. Emily should investigate the remaining work and expected delivery, not conclude that the same percentage of the installation is physically complete.

Separately, the project cost-centre records may show commitments and actual costs. Those financial records explain a different part of the project. Review the operational evidence and financial evidence together without assuming that one automatically updates the other.

What closure needs

A business closure review may include accepted deliverables, resolved outstanding tasks, remaining supplier obligations, customer billing and lessons learned. The exact requirements belong to the organisation and contract; they are not universal conditions enforced by every task status.

Marking a task Done records a workflow outcome. It does not by itself close the project's cost centre, settle suppliers or issue a final invoice. A sound conclusion states what is complete, what evidence supports it and which obligations remain with a named owner.

Check your understanding

Not marked. Answer every question to finish the lesson.

Question 1 · Choose one answerConsider this statement about project review and closure: Project closure considers deliverables, exceptions and related commitments. Is the statement correct?

TrueFalse

Question 2 · Choose one answerCheck your understanding of project review and closure: Which statement is accurate?

Closing an unresolved task removes the need to explain its unfinished outcome.A completed project label proves every supplier and customer balance is settled.Progress percentages require interpretation against actual outcomes and remaining work.

Question 3 · Choose every answer that appliesCheck your understanding of project review and closure: Select all correct statements. Exactly two answers are correct.

Project closure considers deliverables, exceptions and related commitments.Progress percentages require interpretation against actual outcomes and remaining work.A completed project label proves every supplier and customer balance is settled.Closing an unresolved task removes the need to explain its unfinished outcome.

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