International Project Management Association (IPMA) Practice Exam

When is a project considered complete?

1. When the budget is fully spent

2. When the goals are achieved

3. When the stakeholders are satisfied

4. When the project manager decides

The correct answer is: When the goals are achieved

A project is considered complete when the goals are achieved because this aligns with the primary purpose of any project: to meet specific objectives and deliver the intended outcomes. Success in project management is fundamentally measured by whether the project meets its defined goals and criteria for completion, which are usually outlined in the project's scope and objectives at the outset. Achieving the goals often includes delivering the project deliverables on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards as specified in the project charter or plan. This outcome-focused view ensures that the project's success is not just based on the consumption of resources, stakeholder perceptions, or the authority of management, but rather on whether the planned objectives have been met. While stakeholder satisfaction and budget adherence are important considerations in project management, they serve more as indicators of project health rather than definitive criteria for project completion. Therefore, achieving the defined goals is the most accurate measure of project completion.