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Handbook

Part E: Benefits management checklist and further reading

From:

Government Project Delivery
Published: 30 September 2025
Last modified: 29 July 2026

Checklist for benefits managers

Benefits management activities and checks
When Policy or concept What Things to check
Before the work begins Feasibility Understand objectives
  • Objectives and outcomes for the work are clearly defined and agreed.
  • Users and stakeholders have been identified and involved in shaping the proposal.
  • A theory of change has been developed to support the expected outcomes.
Identifying options for a solution Feasibility Establish the benefits management framework
  • A benefits management framework has been established and embedded in governance.
  • Roles and responsibilities for benefits management are clearly defined.
  • Methods, tools and techniques for benefits management are agreed.
Identifying options for a solution Appraisal Identify benefits
  • Objectives, outcomes and enabling outputs are mapped to potential benefits.
  • Benefits are classified in line with Green Book guidance.
  • Benefits are recorded in a benefits register.
Identifying a preferred solution Appraisal Value benefits
  • Benefit owners are assigned for each benefit.
  • Benefit profiles are developed, including baselines, targets and tracking metrics.
  • Benefits are quantified where possible, and qualitative benefits are recorded.
  • Assumptions, dependencies and risks are documented.
  • Benefits are assessed alongside costs using sensitivity analysis.
Defining the solution and procuring any suppliers Definition Plan benefits
  • Benefit owners have agreed final benefit profiles and tracking metrics.
  • Work and change activities needed to realise benefits are identified.
  • A benefits realisation plan is developed and integrated with the delivery plan.
Delivering outputs and preparing for change Delivery Realise benefits
  • Benefits realisation activities are embedded in delivery and operational plans.
  • Benefits tracking is in place and used to monitor progress.
  • Corrective action is taken if benefits realisation is off track.
  • Benefits ownership and handover responsibilities are included in the transition plan.
Using the solution as part of business as usual Operation Review benefits
  • Reviews are scheduled to assess benefits realisation against objectives.
  • Ongoing benefits are tracked and reported for evaluation.
Using the solution as part of business as usual Operation Close benefits
  • Closure criteria are agreed and documented in the benefits framework.
  • Closure decisions are approved by the benefits manager and benefit owners.
  • The benefits register is updated with actual benefits and lessons learned.
  • The benefits framework and register are closed or transferred into operations.

Further reading

For more information on benefits management, see:

For more on investment appraisal, analysis, evaluation and risk, see:

For more on assurance, see:

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