What are project benefits?

Project deliverables such as new IT systems, new buildings or new ways of working deliver no benefits in themselves; the benefits come from the application of those products in the business environment and the extent to which those contribute to achievement of strategic goals. Benefits can either be tangible, ie objective and clearly measurable, or intangible which are more subjective and less susceptible to measurement. However there must be clear metrics to judge the overall success of the project.

The focus of every project should be on the benefits and not the deliverables. The project deliverables and products are the vehicle upon which the benefits are delivered. It follows therefore that the project sponsor should be someone who has a direct interest in the project benefits. For example implementation of a new IT system for finance would be better sponsored by a senior finance person rather than a senior IT person.