Project Management Professional (PMP)® Examination Content OutlineProcessMedium
A project manager is closing a project that has successfully delivered a new product to the market. As part of the closure activities, the project manager needs to ensure that the project benefits are being tracked and measured post-project completion. What is the MOST appropriate document for guiding this ongoing benefits realization?
- AProject Closure Report
- BFinal Project Report
- CLessons Learned Register
- DBenefits Management Plan
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Benefits Management Plan
The Benefits Management Plan is specifically designed to outline how the project's intended benefits will be created, maximized, and sustained. It defines the metrics, responsibilities, and timeline for benefits realization, making it the most appropriate document for guiding post-project tracking and measurement of benefits.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The Project Closure Report summarizes project performance and formalizes closure, but doesn't guide ongoing benefits realization.
- B. The Final Project Report is a summary document, similar to the closure report, not a plan for ongoing benefit tracking.
- C. The Lessons Learned Register captures insights for future projects, not for managing the benefits of the current project post-closure.
Benefits Management Plan
A document that describes how and when the project benefits will be delivered and measured, and by whom.
- Defines target benefits, metrics, and assumptions.
- Outlines roles and responsibilities for benefits realization.
- Guides post-project benefit tracking and sustainment.
Memory trick: To reap the rewards, a Benefits Plan must lead the way.