An post evaluation helps clarify the kinds of business benefits that were achieved through the project and whether the original goals were reached. At the same time, we can identify some concrete things we can learn from the Business case. Despite its many benefits, the post evaluation of a project is not always carried out.
The post evaluation should not be forgotten even during busy times
It is fairly common that a project is not revisited once it has been completed. An actual post evaluation, however, requires that the project be revisited after it has ended, when the benefits of the project can be genuinely evaluated. When the project is nearing its completion, project managers easily turn their attention to upcoming projects. Thus the post evaluation is often forgotten.
If the post evaluations are not carried out, many important things may not be highlighted. For example, the same mistakes that are never paid attention to may be repeated from one project to the next in the organisation. At the same time, valuable lessons regarding successes are ignored and achieved benefits are not evaluated.
There are many proper ways to carry out an post evaluation
An post evaluation may be carried out, for example, for all projects or only for the most significant ones. What matters is that the post evaluation is done when there is a need for it. The appropriate time for an post evaluation may also vary from one project to the next. Sometimes six months after the project has ended is enough to evaluate the benefits. At times, post evaluations may be carried out more than once, even years after the project has ended. It is also is important to identify the person in charge of the post evaluation (owner of the project), as well as the role and responsibilities of the project office in relation to the post evaluation.
Robust post evaluations through portfolio management
When an post evaluation is part of the project model, the transparency and management necessary for monitoring the phases of the project are achieved through portfolio management. The post evaluation can be taken into account already at the start of the project by specifying appropriate goals. The measurable goals that were specified at the start can be revisited after the project has ended in connection with the post evaluation.
Portfolios also facilitate the monitoring of post evaluations, because the project is ultimately closed only after the post evaluation has been carried out and recorded in the portfolio. Therefore, the post evaluation is carried out for the intended projects. Portfolio management ensures that the project goes through all the planned phases. Resource management is also emphasised when there are many projects and tasks. Portfolio management helps with the planning and implementation of resources so that the project’s final phases are not skipped due to haste.
Implemented projects enable the evaluation of development targets, successes and achieved benefits. Made observations act as valuable lessons also for future projects. Returning to a completed project and evaluating its benefits is therefore not a useless time-consuming task. The post evaluation can be the key for development that should be utilised.
