Benefits Review Template

---
title: "Benefits Review Template"
methodology: "universal"
complexity: "intermediate"
owner: "benefits-owner"
updated: "2026-09-02"
domain: "Measurement"
tags: ["benefits-realization", "value-delivery", "governance", "closure"]
primary_principles: ["value-focus", "evidence-based-decisions"]
secondary_principles: ["stewardship", "continuous-learning"]
principle_rationale: "Connects benefit decisions to traceable outcome evidence and accountable learning."
---

# Benefits Review

## When to Use

- At midpoint, closure, or post-delivery checkpoints with agreed benefit targets.
- When benefit owners must decide whether to continue, adapt, or stop realization actions.

## When NOT to Use

- For exploratory outcomes without measurable targets; record learning hypotheses first.
- Do not infer realized value from completed outputs, spending, or activity counts. See [Value equals output](../../docs/principles/anti-patterns.md#value-output).

## Pairs Well With

- [Benefits Variance Analysis Template](../../templates/universal/benefits-variance-analysis-template.md).
- [Roi Tracking Template](../../domains/delivery/templates/traditional/Traditional/Knowledge_Areas/Project_Cost_Management/roi_tracking_template.md).

Selection context: Measurement domain; universal methodology; intermediate complexity. Match the situations above to project phase, risk, team size, and industry using the [decision-engine context model](../../meta/architecture-research/800-801-context-assessment-model.md).

Use with the [Benefits Review Process](../../docs/benefits/benefits-review-process.md) and [variance template](benefits-variance-analysis-template.md).

## Additional use considerations

At the approved midpoint, closure, 30/60/90-day checkpoints, or an event-driven review for a project with measurable benefit targets.

## Additional exclusions

For emergent research outcomes without approved targets; use learning hypotheses until measurable benefits can be baselined.

## Review control

| Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Project / portfolio | |
| Review checkpoint | Mid-project / Closure / Day 30 / Day 60 / Day 90 / Event-driven |
| Review date and evidence as-of date | |
| Sponsor / decision owner | |
| Benefits owner | |
| Operational owner | |
| Facilitator / recorder | |
| Attendees and required absences | |
| Prior review record | |

## Input readiness

| Input | Location/version | Owner | Status | Limitation/action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approved business case and benefits | | | READY / NOT READY | |
| Benefits register | | | READY / NOT READY | |
| Source data and validation | | | READY / NOT READY | |
| Delivery/adoption/operating evidence | | | READY / NOT READY | |
| Risks, issues and approved changes | | | READY / NOT READY | |

## Benefit assessment

Complete and attach the [Benefits Variance Analysis](benefits-variance-analysis-template.md).

| Benefit ID | Achievement % | Expected % | Variance points | Status | Confidence | Owner recommendation |
|---|---:|---:|---:|---|---|---|
| | | | | GREEN / AMBER / RED / CRITICAL / NOT MEASURABLE | HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW | |

## Assumptions, dependencies and disbenefits

| ID | Observation/evidence | Effect on value | Owner | Response/due date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | |

## Decision

**Decision:** CONTINUE / CORRECT / CHANGE / ESCALATE / EXTEND / ACCEPT
**Decision owner:**
**Rationale and evidence:**
**Dissent or conflict disclosed:**
**Change-control reference, if applicable:**
**Closure decision:** NOT APPLICABLE / HOLD / CONDITIONAL / APPROVE

## Actions and escalation

| Action | Owner | Due date | Success measure | Escalate to/on | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | OPEN |

## Knowledge and forward planning

- Lessons-learned record: [link]
- Business-case or portfolio forecast updated: [link]
- Operational handover/open action record: [link]
- Next review or deep PIR: [date/link]

## Approval and retention

| Role | Name | Decision/date | Evidence/signature reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benefits owner | | | |
| Sponsor / authorized delegate | | | |

Record location and retention rule: [location/rule]