postimplementatiereview

A postimplementatiereview is a formal assessment conducted after a project or system has been implemented to evaluate whether the intended benefits and objectives were realized, to measure actual performance against baselines, and to document lessons learned for future initiatives. It focuses on outcomes, value realization, and the overall effectiveness of the delivered solution.

The review is typically conducted after go-live and stabilization, at a defined horizon after implementation (often six to twelve months). It involves stakeholders from business, IT, and governance functions and may be carried out by the PMO, internal audit, or an external reviewer. The scope can cover benefits realization, process changes, user adoption, operational impact, costs, and risks.

Key activities include defining benefit metrics, collecting data on usage, costs, time-to-value, and user satisfaction; comparing actual results with targets; identifying enablers and barriers; and validating whether changes delivered the expected value. The outcome is usually a post-implementation review report accompanied by an action plan outlining recommendations, owners, and timelines.

Outputs from the review can inform ongoing optimization, future business cases, or portfolio governance. The process supports accountability, continuous improvement, and alignment with strategic goals by clarifying realized value, informing enhancements, and guiding resource allocation in related initiatives.

Common challenges include data availability and attribution of benefits, long realization horizons, scope drift, and ensuring objectivity. Mitigation strategies include a defined evaluation framework, independent governance, and clearly stated success criteria at project outset.