Governance · tool 4 of 14
Benefits Realization Plan
Benefits Realization Plan: tracks whether the promised value actually arrives, often months after delivery.
Best for: Any project justified by outcomes · Time: 2–4 hours
Domain: Governance · Focus area: Planning
How it works
Delivering the output isn’t the same as getting the benefit. This plan lists each benefit, how it will be measured, its starting value, its target, the date and the person in the business who owns it.
- Measure a baseline before anything changes.
- Give each benefit an owner outside the project team.
- Book the review date before the project closes.
How to apply it
- List benefits from the business case.
- Pick one measure for each, and record today’s value.
- Set target, date and owner.
- Hand the plan to the owner at closure and schedule the review.
Benefit: fewer support calls. Baseline 1,200 a month, target 960 by December, owner: head of support.
A benefit with no owner after the project closes is a wish.
Use it
- Case study: Sydney Opera House
- Case study: Crossrail (Elizabeth line)
Quick check
Who should own a benefit after the project closes?
Sources
- PMBOK® Guide, 8th edition, and The Standard for Project Management (PMI, 2025)
- ISO 21502:2020, Guidance on project management (overview)
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 against the PMBOK® Guide, 8th edition · Practitioner review pending · How this guide is made