How would you evaluate the success of a Mega Goal at closure?

• A. Only compare final budget to initial estimate
• B. Compare outcomes to objectives, ROI, impact on stakeholders, sustainability, and lessons learned
• C. Measure team happiness as the sole metric
• D. Focus exclusively on schedule adherence

Answer: (B)

Evaluating closure success means checking whether the Mega Goal actually delivered the intended value, not just whether the work was completed on time or within budget. The strongest approach looks at multiple dimensions: do the final results match the original objectives, what is the return or overall value created (ROI), what impact did the initiative have on stakeholders, are the benefits sustainable over time, and what lessons were learned to improve future efforts. This combination ensures you assess real impact and long-term viability, not just project mechanics.

If you only compare the final budget, you might miss whether the goal produced meaningful benefits. If you measure team happiness alone, you neglect whether the solution met user needs or delivered value. If you focus only on schedule, you ignore whether benefits were realized and sustained. So the comprehensive mix—outcomes, ROI, stakeholder impact, sustainability, and lessons learned—provides the clearest picture of true closure success.