International journal of project management special issue on “project benefit management”

Abstract

The project management literature and international standards have been preoccupied with delivering outputs (artifacts such as a bridge). Accordingly, project management methodologies and tools are focused on enhancing the efficiency of output delivery — on time, within budget and at specifications. While this approach is well-founded, a sole focus on efficient delivery of outputs does not support project effectiveness. Recently, a wider view of projects has emerged, which recognizes their role in the creation of strategic value (Shenhar and Dvir, 2007 and Zwikael and Smyrk, 2015). Such a view accepts that organizations invest in projects with the specific objective of realizing identified target benefits.