The closing process group in project management, as defined by PMBOK 6, formally completes a project, phase, or contract, ensuring documentation of lessons learned and finalizations. This smallest process group entails verifying that all defined processes are completed, obtaining acceptance from stakeholders, and archiving project records. It encompasses three scenarios: closing a project, concluding a project phase, or prematurely terminating the project, ultimately aiming to enhance future projects through documented insights.

1. Closing Process Group – PMP/CAPM (PMBOK 6)
The Closing Process Group consists of the process(es) performed to formally
complete or close a project, phase, or contract. PMBOK 6
So the project that we initiated with the Initiating phase is coming to an end with Closing Process Group.
A process which is mostly overlooked as resources are moved to other projects or phases and nobody
closes the current project properly. This is the smallest process group with only 1 process but it has a big
impact on the future of the organization largely because of documentation of the lessons learned, issues
and storage of all these reports for future referrals.
‘Those processes performed to terminate formally all activities of a project or
project phase, and the transferof the completed product to others or to close a
cancelled project.’
In this process group, the documents are reviewed to ensure completion before considering the project
closed. This process also establishes the procedures to investigate and document the reasons for actions
taken if a project is terminated before completion. The closing process group is made up of all final
processes that are needed to close a project as well as deliver the final products including reports to the
stakeholders.
This Process Group, when completed, verifies that the defined processes are
completed within all of the Process Groups to close the project or a project
phase, as appropriate, and formally establishes that theproject or project
phase is complete. PMBOK6

2. Source : https://pmdprostarter.org/project-closure-checklist/
As mentioned it deals with three cases
1. Project Close; means closing a project with project report, consist of a lesson learned
2. Phase Completed: Phase is if the project is complex and long and performing organization has divided
the project in small chunks to be delivered. A phase is like a mini-project in that it will comprise the
five process groups including the Closing Process Group.
3. or Early Termination: Premature Closure when either party as per the agreement decided to formally
early close the project without delivering its all objectives as agreed in the Project Charter, or in
Agreement
Purpose of the Closing Process Group
 Verify that the defined processes are completed;
 Obtain acceptance by the customer or sponsor to formally close the project or phase
 Conduct post-project or phase-end review and document lessons learned
 Update organizational process assets

3. This phase represents the completion of a project. A project managerholds a
meetingwhich is at times referred to “post mortem” to analyze what went
excellent in a project, recognize valuable team members and figure out project
failures. This is particularly helpfulto understand lessons learnt so the
improvements are made in upcoming projects.
Tasks in the Closing Process Group
 Obtain final acceptance of the project deliverables
 Transfer the ownership of deliverables
 Obtain financial, legal, and administrative closure
 Create and distribute a final project report
 Identify, document, and communicate lessons learned
 Archive and retain project records
 Release project resources
Processes in the Closing Process Group (1 Process and 9%
of exam questions)
1. Close Project or Phase ⇒ Project Integration Management
Project or Phase is the process of finalizing all activities for the project, phase, or contract
Further Readings
1. Contract Closure and Administrative Closure