What is the outcome of successfully meeting acceptance criteria in a project?

Successfully meeting acceptance criteria in a project leads directly to project closure. Acceptance criteria are specific conditions that a project deliverable must satisfy to be accepted by the customer or stakeholders. When these criteria are fulfilled, it indicates that the project has achieved the intended objectives and that the deliverables meet the agreed-upon standards.

Once acceptance criteria are met, it is a clear indication that the project can be considered complete, paving the way for formal project closure activities. These activities typically include finalizing all project documentation, releasing project resources, and obtaining stakeholder acceptance.

While stakeholder approval is important, it is often the case that approval is contingent upon meeting the acceptance criteria. Therefore, while stakeholder approval can occur, it is the satisfaction of the acceptance criteria that ultimately results in the formal closure of the project. Achieving these criteria is fundamental to validating the work done and formally transitioning the project to completion.