A project manager is leading a long-term project, executed in stages, to set up a complex communications network in many rural areas. The project is…

In a long-term, staged project, value is often delivered incrementally. The project manager is responsible for ensuring the project remains aligned with its business objectives. The project business plan, along with the benefits management plan, outlines the expected value and when it should be realized. By periodically evaluating the actual benefits generated at key milestones or stage gates against this plan, the project manager can track benefits realization. This practice confirms the project is delivering the intended monetized value and allows for corrective actions if there are deviations, ensuring the continued viability and success of the investment.

1. Project Management Institute. (2021). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – Seventh Edition.

Section 2.7

Measurement Performance Domain: This section emphasizes tracking project objectives and value. It states

"For some projects

the desired outcomes can only be measured after the project has finished. However

where possible

it is helpful to measure outcomes throughout the project. This provides an opportunity to check that the project is on track to deliver the intended outcomes and to take action if it is not." (p. 89). This supports the periodic evaluation described in option D.

2. Project Management Institute. (2021). The Standard for Project Management.

Section 3.5

Focus on Value: "The project team evaluates progress and adapts to maximize the expected value." (p. 31). This principle underpins the need for ongoing evaluation of benefits against the business plan at key points like milestones.

3. Serra

C. E. M.

& Kunc

M. (2015). Benefits Realisation Management and its influence on project success and on the execution of business strategies. International Journal of Project Management

33(1)

53-66.

Section 2.2

Benefits Realisation Management Process: The paper describes benefits realization as a process that includes "measuring and tracking benefits from the start of the investment until the realisation of the last benefit." It highlights that a "benefits review process is a formal process to monitor the realisation of the benefits against the plan

" which directly aligns with evaluating benefits at milestones against the business plan. (p. 56). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2014.03.011