Benefits Management: Making it real

Kevin Parry, Programme Director at NHS Digital and Fellow member of the APM, gave a stimulating presentation to a full and enthusiastic audience in Leeds on the evening of Tuesday, 22 January 2019.

Comparing theoretical concepts to the practical application of these principles in a ‘real world’ environment, Kevin spoke of some of the challenges that he has faced throughout his career, most recently whilst leading a major change management improvement programme of reforms in health and care in England with a budget of £2.5bn encompassing approximately 150 projects.

If you have ever wondered if there is any value in benefits management, then Kevin’s reference to the ‘PMI “Pulse of the Profession” survey in 2016’, which suggests that organisations with high benefits realisation maturity waste 67% less money than those that don’t, may just be the answer you were looking for.

Whilst running through the Benefits management life cycle of, Identify, Define, Plan, Realise and Track, Kevin highlighted the three major challenges faced, namely: to imagining a future change and who it would benefit; ensuring that people make long term changes in behaviour and belief, and; that change is likely to take place after the programme closes.

As well as highlighting some of the key issues, Kevin gave some excellent practical advice on how to mitigate these.

This thorough and well delivered presentation was extremely informative and thought-provoking. It was of interest to not only those setting out to explore Benefits management but also those more experienced professionals wishing to learn more about managing benefits in complex environments.

The slides are available below and also on APM Slideshare.

Linda Stafford
APM Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Branch