Benefits Management

Introducing business and technical changes can be a difficult, time-consuming and costly experience. So, imagine how much more difficult it is when the benefit and cost equation isn't properly understood? Alternatively, picture a project where no one knows whose responsibility it is to ensure that the benefits are realised?

Oakleigh's Benefits Management capability can avoid these pitfalls and ensure that making changes is beneficial.

What are the benefits?

Apart from the obvious advantage of benefits management helping to ensure that projects actually realise their benefits, Oakleigh believe that another real gain is in decision makers being able to gain a sense of perspective:

For example:

How many projects know which 20% of the business changes are capable of realising 80% of the benefits?
Knowing the answer to that question, how many projects would expend 80% of the costs on the parts only delivering 20% of the benefits?

A properly implemented benefits management regime can make key information available, at the right time, to deliver this sense of perspective.

What makes a good Benefits Management Framework?

Oakleigh believe that a Benefits Management Framework should complement existing change management processes whilst providing greater clarity and control of benefits delivered.

For example, a good approach to benefits management should ensure:

business changes have benefits aligned to the organisations objectives
funding and resources are allocated to the key projects and business changes that deliver the most benefit
benefits are communicated, owned and planned into the delivery of business changes
benefits are realised and that all parties have sight of plans and the progress on realisation.

How has Oakleigh helped others?

Oakleigh consultants have helped clients to:

Create a framework for Benefits Management
We have assisted clients in creating and implementing a Benefits Management framework, to ensure that benefits are not only managed consistently from the initial idea or concept through to delivery
Conduct Benefits Reviews
We have conducted project reviews to provide clients with the confidence that the benefits could be realised or alternatively, propose remedies to improve the chances of success
Realise Benefits
We have assisted clients put in place plans, including processes and agreeing roles/ responsibilities to help projects in their aim to realise the forecast benefits
Enhance Business Cases in relation to benefits
Oakleigh is highly experienced in developing business cases. The most important facet of this is to ensure that the cost/ benefit equation is clearly understood and that the project can demonstrate its viability on an on-going basis.