Expected Benefits in Business Development Projects : How to Formulate and Evaluate

Abstract: Working in projects is a common work-method of many companies today, andproject portfolios, a tool to manage all projects and ideas, are frequently used. Whenchoosing which project idea to start as a project the expected benefits have to bevalued, because they are what motivate a project to start. The expected benefits areeffects of the project result and should be well formulated and well prepared. It is theorderer’s responsibility to both formulate and evaluate them when project result hasbeen delivered. The problem with orderers is they often lack knowledge in projectmanagement and they believe the project manager should formulate the project idea,with its benefits. This misconception can be handled by providing relevant informationto anyone having an idea for a project. The information should be handled by theproject office´s because they are what orderers first turn to when having an idea. Theevaluation after project execution has to be demanded by the Project PortfolioManagement that manages the project portfolio, to make sure it is performed. Manyorderers claim they lack time to perform it and lack interest because they havealready gotten what they requested. However, an evaluation is of greater use than forthe single orderer, it will able the company to learn from both mistakes and successesmade in the project formulation. The Forum will also be able to know if theinvestment has paid off.