Benefits Management

Projects and programmes should achieve a return on the investment made by the owner or sponsor. This return is now thought of as the benefits that accrue from the investment: some financial, others perhaps harder to define, but nonetheless just as important in justifying the investment. Making sure that they are realised, and that unanticipated benefits are maximised, is as important as the initial justification, and without that many projects have earned a bad name for project management. This publication provides comprehensive guidance on how to manage delivery of the benefits used to justify investment in change. It provides guidance for all involved in successful change delivery from senior responsible owners and directors through to portfolio, programme and project managers. The guidance is the source material for an accredited qualification from APMG-International

This book considers the topic of achieving value from IT from both theoretical and practical perspectives. It is based on extensive research which produced a comprehensive understanding and analysis of the issues involved and innovative new approaches that addressed those issues plus considerable practical application, in a wide range of organisations of the ideas, processes, tools and techniques that were developed. The book describes how IS/IT investments can be aligned accurately with organisational strategy and how the approach and 'tool-kit' can be used by business managers and IS/IT spec.

Benefits realization management (BRM) is a key part of governance, because it supports the strategic creation of value and provides the correct level of prioritization and executive support to the correct initiatives. Because of its relevance to the governance process, BRM has a strong influence over project success and is a link between strategic planning and strategy execution. This book guides portfolio, program, and project managers through the process of benefits realization management so they can maximize business value. It discusses why and how programs and projects are expected to enable value creation, and it explains the role of BRM in value creation. The book provides a flexible framework for: Translating business strategy drivers into expected benefits and explains the subsequent composition of a program and project portfolio that can realize expected benefits Planning the benefits realization expected from programs and projects and then making it happen Keeping programs and projects on track Reviewing and evaluating the benefits achieved or expected against the original baselines and the current expectations. To help project, program, and portfolio managers on their BRM journey, as well as to support business managers in executing business strategies, the book identifies key organizational responsibilities and roles involved in BRM practices, and it provides a simple reference that can be mapped against any organizational structure. A detailed and comprehensive case study illustrates each phase of the BRM framework as it links business strategy to project work, benefits, and business value. Each chapter ends with a series questions that provide a BRM self-assessment. The book concludes with a set of templates and detailed instructions to ensure successful deployment of BRM.

Successful projects are the basis for the business many successful organisations, but many professionals lack the basic skills required to manage projects successfully. This book shows how to maximise the outcomes of projects and to ensure that the benefits arising from projects -- large or small -- are fully realized by the business. This key outcome can be easily overlooked or sidelined by the need to keep projects on track. Visually lead, to the point, with case studies and best practice guidelines throughout, the hard-won real world experience found in this book makes it a powerful PM resource for anyone involved in project management. Links project management to business goals for career project managers and those involved with project intermittently Focuses on the needs of engineering, industrial and process projects

One of the most difficult, yet important, questions regarding projects is "What advantages will this project create for the investors and key stakeholders?" Projects and programs should be treated as investments. This means that the focus of projects shifts from delivering within the triple constraints (time–cost–quality) towards some of the more fundamental questions: What is the purpose of this investment? What are the specific advantages expected? Are these benefits worth the investment? Implementing Project and Program Benefit Management is written for executives and practitioners within the portfolio, program, and project environment. It guides them through the important work that must be addressed as the investment progresses towards the realization of benefits. The processes discussed cover the strategic elements of benefits realization as well as the more detailed requirements, which are the domain of the program delivery teams and the operational users. Using real cases to explain complex situations, operational teams and wider groups of stakeholders, including communities affected by infrastructure projects, will be able to engage in the conversation with the sponsors and delivery teams. Covering an area of program and project management that is rapidly becoming more widely valued, this book blends theory with practical experience to present a clear process flow to managing the benefits life cycle. Best practices are defined, and pitfalls and traps are identified to enable practitioners to apply rigor and structure to this crucial discipline.

Benefits realization is the common thread that runs from organizational strategy through project deliverables that contribute benefits. Yet, according to PMI's 2018 Pulse of the Profession Report: Success in Disruptive Times, only one in three organizations report high benefits realization maturity. This practice guide provides a comprehensive look at the topic of benefits realization in of portfolio, program, and project management. It will help readers tackle this important topic and drive more successful outcomes and better strategic alignment in your organization. Inside this practice guide readers will find: standardized definitions for benefits realization, benefits realization management and associated benefits realization terms; the core principles of benefits realization; the benefits realization management life cycle from organizational mission, vision, and strategy through project deliverables and success measurement, and how it contributes to the expected benefits and value that the organization intends to realize; and a framework and guidance to help practitioners manage benefits realization in organizational project management and portfolio, program, and project management. As with all PMI standards and publications, this practice guide also aligns with our other standards including: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)®—Sixth Edition; The Standard for Program Management—Fourth Edition; and The Standard for Portfolio Management—Fourth Edition.

“Strategic Benefits Realization never loses focus on the ultimate goal of any organization—to achieve business benefits that endure. Craig Letavec’s common sense approach and practical guidance can be applied throughout the entire benefits realization life cycle to ensure true business value from project investments. Business and project professionals can apply the author’s business-focused techniques immediately—a must read in today’s highly competitive global marketplace.” —Marc Resch, President, Resch Group, and best-selling author This desk reference offers practical guidance for program managers, portfolio managers, and business leaders in the implementation of benefits realization management in organizations. Aligned with global standards, this book extends the knowledge contained in these standards through practical implementation guidance, examples, and additional detail created to assist organizations in implementing benefits realization management as a business practice to support the achievement of strategic business benefits. It also addresses important considerations in organizational change management, providing insights on leveraging key principles to guide successful implementation of the business change required to realize benefits through project and program work. Leveraging benefits realization management at the business portfolio level is covered as well. This book is ideal for organizations beginning to implement benefits realization management and those that wish to mature existing practices. Strategic Benefits Realization provides a practical approach to implementing benefits realization management in organizations that is aligned to PMI’sStandard for Program Management and other global standards, and is presented in the context of program and portfolio management. The guidance offered supports effective governance and execution management to deliver business value.

The second edition of Benefits Management has been updated with current examples, further insights from experience and recent research. It shows how the enduring challenges achieving business value from information systems and technology projects can be addressed successfully. The approach, which is synthesized from best practices, sound theories and proven techniques from a range of management disciplines, is exemplified from the authors' extensive experience of working with a wide range of organizations. The book includes examples from a wide variety of projects including non-IT projects. The book is written in an accessible style, ideal for practicing managers, and includes check lists and templates for using the processes, tools and techniques and real-life case studies of their application and impacts. The book now also includes: International survey results that reinforce the importance of the topic, the key management issues and evidence of how the more successful organizations' practices are closely aligned with those described in the book. A Benefits Management Maturity diagnostic which enables organizations to understand the reasons for their current investment success levels and then how to increase them. Discussion of the role and contribution Project Management Offices (PMOs): how they can improve the delivery of value IT projects. Further practical advice and guidance on Program and Portfolio Management, including findings from the authors’ recent research in several large organizations.