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PRINCE2 2009 - Directing Projects with PRINCE2 part 60

Authorize project closure

Confirm handover and acceptance

There are normally at least two forms of handover and acceptance as outlined below.

Handover to users

The Project Board must confirm that all necessary user handover and acceptance activities and products have been completed and approved by the appropriate user authorities. This often includes user training.

The Senior User is accountable for the success of the project from this angle and, as such, they should have the responsibility in mind from the outset (project initiation).

This means understanding the related aspects of the Quality Management Strategy, such as user acceptance tests and certification, and ensuring that the right people are involved.

Handover to operational support

The Project Board must also confirm that all necessary operational, maintenance and support services (including any necessary contracts) are in place, and that handover and acceptance activities/products have been completed and approved by the appropriate service authorities.

The Senior User(s) and Senior Supplier(s) are both interested in this aspect of the project and should give this consideration at the outset (during initiation).

Handover to operational support means understanding the related aspects of the Quality Management Strategy (e.g. operational or service acceptance tests and certification, service level agreements, contracts, technical documentation and training) - and, again, ensuring that the right people are involved.

Concessions

Acceptance may be qualified by ‘concessions’, i.e. agreements to accept incomplete products or products with minor defects.
A variety of other terms may be used on different project types - e.g. ‘snag lists’ or ‘known errors’.

There are often good business reasons for accepting an imperfect solution, such as pressing legislative deadlines or opportunities for early benefits.

However, Project Board members must ensure that there are mutually satisfactory agreements on concessions and plans for their resolution, if required.

All references above are in Directing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 unless stated otherwise.

PRINCE2® is a Registered Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce in the United Kingdom and other countries.

This product contains EVERYTHING in the publications:

Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 - 2005 edition
Managing successful Projects with PRINCE2 – 2009 edition
Directing Projects with PRINCE2.
plus:
The Complete Project Management package.

And much more besides - at a fantastic price.