PGM PGM Benefits Realization Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of benefits realization management in program management?
- To track project budgets
- To ensure the program delivers the intended strategic and business benefits (Correct answer)
- To manage program risks
- To document lessons learned
Correct answer: To ensure the program delivers the intended strategic and business benefits
Benefits realization management ensures the program's outputs translate into the intended organizational and strategic value.
Question 2: A Benefits Realization Plan should include which key element?
- Detailed project schedules
- Metrics to measure when and how benefits will be achieved (Correct answer)
- Individual employee performance targets
- Vendor contract terms
Correct answer: Metrics to measure when and how benefits will be achieved
A Benefits Realization Plan must define measurable criteria and timelines for confirming when specific benefits have been achieved.
Question 3: In the PgMP framework, who is primarily responsible for ensuring benefits are realized after the program closes?
- The program manager
- The operations or business owner who receives the outcomes (Correct answer)
- The project management office
- The program sponsor only
Correct answer: The operations or business owner who receives the outcomes
After program closure, the operational or business owner is responsible for sustaining and confirming ongoing benefits realization.
Question 4: Which term describes the transition period when benefits begin transferring from the program to operational units?
- Program initiation
- Transition planning
- Benefits handover (Correct answer)
- Phase gate review
Correct answer: Benefits handover
Benefits handover is the structured transition where program outcomes are transferred to operational teams responsible for sustaining them.
Question 5: A program's intended benefit is reduced customer wait time by 30%. After 6 months of operation, the wait time has only reduced by 10%. What should the program manager do?
- Close the program immediately
- Accept the partial benefit as final
- Conduct a benefits gap analysis to identify and address shortfalls (Correct answer)
- Report success to stakeholders
Correct answer: Conduct a benefits gap analysis to identify and address shortfalls
A benefits gap analysis identifies why intended benefits are not being realized and informs corrective actions to close the gap.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of an 'intermediate benefit' in program management?
- Final ROI calculation
- Improved employee skill levels achieved during program execution (Correct answer)
- Program charter approval
- Final audit report
Correct answer: Improved employee skill levels achieved during program execution
Intermediate benefits are value gains realized during program execution that support eventual end benefits, such as capability improvements.
What is the primary purpose of benefits realization management in program management?