The Post-Implementation Review

The Post-Implementation Review

The most successful way to evaluate a projects success is by conducting a Post-Implementation Review (PIR). Its purpose is to evaluate whether project objectives were met and the level of proficiency in meeting these objectives. For companies that will be working on similar projects in the future it makes sense to try and learn as much as possible from each completed project. The goal should be to try and maximize benefits from the project and minimize any mistakes that were made.

The PIR primarily answers three questions:

1. Did the project adequately solve the problem it was intended to solve?

2. Could the project be taken further to address even more issues?

3. What lessons did the team learn that can be applied to future projects?

The best time to complete a PIR is when all of the details are fresh in everyone's mind. Shortly after the project has been completed and all of the problems have been solved but long enough that intended results are being achieved is the best time.

Before the review is conducted the scope should be determined and agreed upon. The key documents of the project should be reviewed to reacquaint the review board with the issues that arose and how they were handled.

Some common aspects to consider when conducting the review are:

• Determine whether the project goals were accomplished.

• Determine if the stakeholders are satisfied.

• Determine the project's total cost and benefits.

• Determine any areas of further development.

• Determine the lessons learned.