What indicates a successful project has been completed?

A successful project is primarily indicated by whether all project aims and objectives have been achieved. Meeting the defined goals is the ultimate measure of a project's success, as these aims and objectives are typically established in the initial phases of project planning and provide a clear framework for what the project is intended to accomplish. If the project fulfills its intended purpose, it indicates that the efforts, resources, and time invested have been worthwhile.

While completing the project under budget, finishing ahead of schedule, or ensuring stakeholder satisfaction are all positive indicators, they are not definitive measures of success. A project can be completed on time and within budget, but if it does not meet the initial objectives, it would not be considered successful. Similarly, stakeholder satisfaction is important, but it can vary based on subjective expectations and may not reflect the actual outcomes against the project's goals. Therefore, the correct measure of a project's overall success hinges on whether it accomplished its aims and objectives.