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# Prerequisite activities

> Complete prerequisite activities to validate data and prepare for the period-close process, including running reports, scheduling jobs, and managing revenue contracts.

Complete prerequisite activities to validate data and prepare for the period-close process, including running reports, scheduling jobs, and managing revenue contracts.

As the first step in the month-end process, some prerequisite activities must be completed to ensure the data are validated and ready for the period-close process to be started.

## Overview

Various types of activities are involved in this stage. You must navigate to the appropriate UI to perform different tasks. The following tasks might be involved in preparation for the period-close process:

* Run reports
  To run a report, navigate to
  **Reports > Run Reports**
  . See [Run reports](https://docs.zuora.com/en/zuora-revenue/month-end-process/reports/work-with-reports)
  .
* Start a predefined program
  To start a program, navigate to
  **Reports > Schedule Jobs**
  . [See Schedule jobs](https://docs.zuora.com/en/zuora-revenue/month-end-process/reports/schedule-jobs)
  .
* Manipulate various things on revenue contracts.
  Navigate to
  **Workbench > Revenue Contracts**
  . See [Workbench](https://docs.zuora.com/en/zuora-revenue/day-to-day-operation/workbench)
  .
* Approve an RC
  Navigate to
  **Workbench > Approvals**
  . See [Holds and approvals](https://docs.zuora.com/en/zuora-revenue/getting-started/policy-management/revenue-holds-and-transfer-holds/revenue-and-transfer-holds-configuration)
  .
* Release RC holds
  Navigate to
  **Workbench > Holds**
  . See [Holds and approvals](https://docs.zuora.com/en/zuora-revenue/getting-started/policy-management/revenue-holds-and-transfer-holds).

## Before you begin

It is not required but recommended to perform soft freeze in Zuora Revenue before you close or open a period.

Soft freeze can ensure that there is no discrepancy in the closing balance. When a job or an action is locked for a soft freeze before you close or open a period, other Zuora Revenue users cannot start the job or action to bring in changes to Zuora Revenue. For more information, see [Set up soft freeze](https://docs.zuora.com/en/zuora-revenue/month-end-process/reports)
.

## Procedure

Complete the steps provided [here](https://docs.zuora.com/en/zuora-revenue/month-end-process/prerequisite-activities/prepare-to-close-a-financial-period) to prepare to close a period.

## What to do next

You are ready to start the period-close process. For more information, see [Period-close activities](/docs/revenue/month-end-process/period-close-activities)