This is a good structure and dataset for shutdown planning, the review of it is a good process for the PM to go through whether planning a start-up or shepherding a program through the various stages of its lifecycle. A proactive PM will use this in the development of his acquisition program plan, not only to address the shutdown course of action, but to shape provisions for staffing, intellectual property, hardware, software, and data storage and archiving. A proactive Program Executive Officer (PEO) and/or milestone decision authority (MDA) will see that the PM does. This thought process does not drive a focus on failure. Rather, it drives clarity of purpose in everything from program organization, planning, and resourcing to record-keeping methodology to contracting for people and products to communicating the importance of diligent and efficient program execution. The PM must always consider the perspective of those above, those below, and those to follow while laying out the program plan of action, regardless of phase…and then drive relentless execution
