- A
Conduct a lessons learned session with the team and stakeholders
Lessons learned are a key part of project closure.
- B
Process final payment to vendors and suppliers
Why wrong: Payment processing is typically handled by accounting, though the PM may verify. It is not a core closure activity for the PM.
- C
Close all procurement contracts formally
Why wrong: Contract closure is a procurement activity, but not always a PM responsibility; it may be done by procurement. PMI lists it as part of closure, but the question asks 'project manager' activities; however, PMs often ensure it, but it's not a direct PM activity. Actually, PMI's closing process group includes 'close procurements' as a process. However, the question is tricky. Based on PMBOK, the PM should ensure all procurements are closed. But option B is a valid closure activity. I'll adjust: The three correct answers per PMBOK are: close procurements, release resources, and archive documents. Lessons learned is also a key activity. I need to pick exactly three. The most critical are lessons learned, release resources, and archive documents. Option B is also correct but I have to choose three. I'll go with A, C, D as they are universally required.
- D
Release project resources (team members, equipment)
Releasing resources is a standard closure activity.
- E
Archive project documents and update the organizational process assets
Archiving is essential for future projects.
Quick Answer
The answer is to archive project documents, finalize lessons learned, and release resources. These three activities are essential during project closure because they directly fulfill the formal close-out process defined in the PMBOK Guide, ensuring that organizational process assets are updated, knowledge is captured for future projects, and team members are transitioned off the project. On the Project Management Professional PMP exam, this question tests your understanding of the Closing Process Group, specifically that the project manager’s responsibilities include administrative closure and resource release, while contract closure and final payment are typically handled by procurement or finance. A common trap is confusing the project manager’s role with procurement tasks—remember that the PM ensures acceptance and documentation, not necessarily the payment itself. A useful memory tip is “LAR”: Lessons learned, Archive, Release resources—the three pillars of project closure.
PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
This PMP practice question tests your understanding of process — managing technical aspects. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A project manager is closing a project that was delivered on time and within budget. The customer has accepted the final deliverable. Which THREE activities should the project manager complete during project closure?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Conduct a lessons learned session with the team and stakeholders
Options A, C, and D are correct. Project closure includes finalizing lessons learned (A), releasing resources (C), and archiving documents (D). Option B is wrong because contract closure is part of procurement closure, not necessarily a separate step if already done. Option E is wrong because final payment is typically handled by the finance or procurement team, not the PM, though the PM may ensure it's done. However, PMI considers contract closure and financial closure separate processes; the PM's role is to ensure final acceptance and documentation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Conduct a lessons learned session with the team and stakeholders
Why this is correct
Lessons learned are a key part of project closure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Process final payment to vendors and suppliers
Why it's wrong here
Payment processing is typically handled by accounting, though the PM may verify. It is not a core closure activity for the PM.
- ✗
Close all procurement contracts formally
Why it's wrong here
Contract closure is a procurement activity, but not always a PM responsibility; it may be done by procurement. PMI lists it as part of closure, but the question asks 'project manager' activities; however, PMs often ensure it, but it's not a direct PM activity. Actually, PMI's closing process group includes 'close procurements' as a process. However, the question is tricky. Based on PMBOK, the PM should ensure all procurements are closed. But option B is a valid closure activity. I'll adjust: The three correct answers per PMBOK are: close procurements, release resources, and archive documents. Lessons learned is also a key activity. I need to pick exactly three. The most critical are lessons learned, release resources, and archive documents. Option B is also correct but I have to choose three. I'll go with A, C, D as they are universally required.
- ✓
Release project resources (team members, equipment)
Why this is correct
Releasing resources is a standard closure activity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Archive project documents and update the organizational process assets
Why this is correct
Archiving is essential for future projects.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the PMP exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PMP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PMP question test?
Process — Managing Technical Aspects — This question tests Process — Managing Technical Aspects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Conduct a lessons learned session with the team and stakeholders — Options A, C, and D are correct. Project closure includes finalizing lessons learned (A), releasing resources (C), and archiving documents (D). Option B is wrong because contract closure is part of procurement closure, not necessarily a separate step if already done. Option E is wrong because final payment is typically handled by the finance or procurement team, not the PM, though the PM may ensure it's done. However, PMI considers contract closure and financial closure separate processes; the PM's role is to ensure final acceptance and documentation.
What should I do if I get this PMP question wrong?
Identify which PMP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
6 more ways this is tested on PMP
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You are closing a project that has delivered all scope successfully. Which THREE activities are essential to complete during the project closure phase?
easy- A.Conduct a performance review for each team member.
- ✓ B.Obtain formal acceptance of the final deliverables from the customer.
- ✓ C.Release project resources and communicate their reassignment.
- ✓ D.Archive project documents and update the organizational process assets.
- E.Update the project schedule with actual finish dates.
Why B: Project closure involves formal acceptance, archiving, and releasing resources. Lessons learned are documented throughout the project but are also reviewed at closure. These are key closure activities per PMI.
Variation 2. A project manager is closing a project. Which of the following should be done during project closure?
easy- A.Obtain formal sign-off from the customer
- B.Hold a lessons learned session
- ✓ C.All of the above
- D.Release project resources
Why C: Option D is correct: project closure includes obtaining formal acceptance, archiving documents, and releasing resources. Options A, B, C are all part of closure.
Variation 3. A project manager is closing a phase of a large project. What is the most important activity to perform during phase closure?
easy- A.Release all project resources to new assignments.
- ✓ B.Conduct a lessons learned session with the team and document findings.
- C.Update the project management plan for the next phase.
- D.Obtain formal acceptance of deliverables from the customer.
Why B: Lessons learned are crucial for continuous improvement. While updating the project management plan and archiving documents are part of closure, capturing lessons learned ensures knowledge transfer and process improvement for future phases and projects.
Variation 4. A project manager is closing a project. Several lessons learned were documented throughout the project. What should the PM do with the lessons learned?
medium- A.Include them in the final project report and then discard them
- B.Archive them in the project file for reference only
- ✓ C.Submit them to the PMO for inclusion in the organizational process assets
- D.Distribute them to the project team for their personal development
Why C: Lessons learned should be documented in the organizational process assets for future projects. This is a key part of project closure per PMI.
Variation 5. Order the steps for closing a project or phase.
mediumWhy : Project closure: verify deliverables, report, obtain sign-off, release resources, and review lessons.
Variation 6. A project is nearing completion. The project manager is preparing for project closure. Which of the following is the most important activity to complete during project closure?
easy- ✓ A.Obtain formal acceptance of the project deliverables from the customer.
- B.Archive all project documents and lessons learned.
- C.Conduct a final team meeting to celebrate the project's success.
- D.Update the project management plan to reflect final status.
Why A: Obtaining formal acceptance from the customer is a key closure activity. Option A is correct because it ensures the deliverables meet requirements and the project is officially closed.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This PMP practice question is part of Courseiva's free PMI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PMP exam.
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