Table of Contents

Benefits

Overview

The benefits of a project can vary depending on the nature, goals, and objectives of the project. However, in general, successful projects often yield several common benefits. Here are some key project benefits:

  • Improved Efficiency: Projects often involve streamlining processes, implementing new technologies, or optimising existing workflows. This can result in increased efficiency and productivity within an organisation.
  • Cost Savings: Effective project management can help control costs and prevent overruns. By completing projects on time and within budget, organisations can realise cost savings.
  • Enhanced Quality: Projects focused on improving products, services, or processes can lead to higher quality outcomes. Rigorous project management methodologies help ensure that quality standards are met or exceeded.

Benefits are positive outcomes or advantages that result from the successful completion of a project. Identifying, measuring, and communicating these benefits is crucial for evaluating the project's success and demonstrating its value to stakeholders. Altus also enables benefits to be captured at the portfolio level and directly linked back to Strategic Goals to identify how well corporate strategies are being delivered on.

Examples of benefits include:

  • Financial Benefits: Cost Savings: Reduction in operational costs, improved efficiency, or the elimination of unnecessary expenses. Revenue Generation: Increase in sales, market share, or profits as a result of the project.
  • Strategic Benefits: Market Expansion: Entry into new markets or expansion of the organization's presence in existing markets. Competitive Advantage: Improved position relative to competitors through innovation, differentiation, or efficiency gains.
  • Technology Advancements: Innovation: Introduction of new technologies or processes that lead to innovation. Infrastructure Enhancement: Upgrades to technological infrastructure that improves overall capabilities.

Views

Below is an example of the default All Benefits view. This is the default view in Altus and has a hard filter to only show Active items:

  • Existing columns can be added to the view by clicking on Edit Columns.
  • View filters can be changed using Edit Filters.

Benefits_View.png

Item Form

Below is the new/edit form for Benefits. It has three tabs within it:

  • Details
  • Strategic Goal/Metrics
  • Benefits Tracking

New Form

Benefits_ItemForm_New.png

Details Tab

The details tab contains the benefit summary information:

Benefits_Item_Details.png

Strategic Goal/Metrics tab

This tab has information regarding the Strategic Goal that the benefit relates to:

Benefits_Item_StrategicGoals.png

Benefits Tracking

This tab is used to measure how the benefit is performing against original planned targets:

Benefits_Item_BenefitTracking

Benefits Process

Process Diagram

The diagram below articulates the Benefits process flow.

Strategy_BenefitProcess.jpg

Business Process Flow (BPF)

Benefits have the following approval process which are controlled by a business process flow. The process has four steps:

Strategy_Benefits_BPF.png

Identify

This step in the process involves the owner updating the benefits details and defining the outputs and outcomes.

Strategy_Benefits_Identify.png

Plan

This step in the process involves defining the strategy metrics and update intervals.

Strategy_Benefits_Plan.png

Execute

This step in the process involves defining the benefit tracking information.

Strategy_Benefits_Execute.png

Sustain

This step in the process involves updating the benefit tracking information.

Strategy_Benefits_Sustain.png

Columns

Benefit

The following columns exists in Altus.

Columns prefixed with sensei_ are those that form part of the Altus solution.

The remaining are default dataverse fields created automatically.

Property Value
Display Name Benefit
Name sensei_benefit
Primary Column Name
Description
Display Name Name Data type Field Length Customizable Required Searchable
(Deprecated) Stage Id stageid uniqueidentifier False False False
(Deprecated) Traversed Path traversedpath Single line of text 1250 False False False
Assumptions sensei_objectiveassumptions Multiple lines of text 2000 True False False
Benefit sensei_benefitId Primary Key True False False
Benefit Goal Value sensei_benefitgoalvalue Decimal True False False
Benefit Impact sensei_financialbenefit picklist True False False
Category sensei_category picklist True False False
Created By CreatedBy Lookup True False False
Created By (Delegate) CreatedOnBehalfBy Lookup True False False
Created On CreatedOn Date and Time Date and Time True False False
Cumulative Measure sensei_cumulativemeasure Yes/No True False False
Department sensei_department picklist True False False
Dependencies sensei_objectivedependencies Multiple lines of text 2000 True False False
Description sensei_description Multiple lines of text 2000 True False False
Direct sensei_direct Yes/No True False False
Finish sensei_finish Date and Time Date Only True False True
Goal sensei_objectivegoal Multiple lines of text 2000 True False False
Import Sequence Number ImportSequenceNumber Whole number True False False
Investment Category sensei_investmentcategory picklist True False False
Location sensei_location picklist True False False
Modified By ModifiedBy Lookup True False False
Modified By (Delegate) ModifiedOnBehalfBy Lookup True False False
Modified On ModifiedOn Date and Time Date and Time True False False
Name (Primary name column) sensei_name Single line of text 500 True True True
Owner OwnerId Owner True False False
Owning Business Unit OwningBusinessUnit Lookup True False False
Owning Team OwningTeam Lookup True False False
Owning User OwningUser Lookup True False False
Portfolio sensei_portfolio Lookup True False False
Process Id processid uniqueidentifier False False False
Program sensei_program Lookup True False False
Project sensei_project Lookup True False False
Realised Date sensei_realiseddate Date and Time Date Only True False True
Record Created On OverriddenCreatedOn Date and Time Date Only True False False
Scale sensei_scale picklist True False False
Sponsor sensei_sponsor Lookup True False False
Start sensei_start Date and Time Date Only True False True
Status statecode Choice True False False
Status Reason statuscode Choice True False False
Strategic Goal sensei_strategicgoal Lookup True False False
Strategic Theme sensei_strategictheme Lookup True False False
Tangible sensei_tangible Yes/No True False False
Time Zone Rule Version Number TimeZoneRuleVersionNumber Whole number -1 to 2147483647 True False False
Timeline sensei_objectivetimeline Multiple lines of text 2000 True False False
Timeline sensei_timeline Yes/No True False False
Type sensei_type Yes/No True False False
Unit of Measure sensei_unitofmeasure picklist True False False
Update Interval sensei_updateinterval picklist True False False
UTC Conversion Time Zone Code UTCConversionTimeZoneCode Whole number -1 to 2147483647 True False False

Financial Benefit (sensei_financialbenefit)

Value Label Description
955000000 Ongoing (Sustainable)
955000001 One-Off (Discrete)
955000002 Cost Avoidance
955000003 Capability
955000004 Improvement

Benefit Category (sensei_benefitcategory)

Value Label Description
955000000 Internal
955000001 External

Department (sensei_department)

Value Label Description
955000003 Finance
955000004 HR
955000005 Marketing
955000002 IT
955000006 Operations
955000000 Sales
955000001 Corporate

Investment Category (sensei_investmentcategory)

Value Label Description
955000000 Category 1
955000001 Category 2
955000002 Category 3

Location (sensei_location)

Value Label Description
955000000 Location 1
955000001 Location 2
955000002 Location 3

Comparison Operator (sensei_comparisonoperator)

Value Label Description
955000000 Greater or equal to
955000001 Greater than
955000002 Less than
955000003 Less than or equal to
955000004 Equal to

Unit of Measure (sensei_unitofmeasure)

Value Label Description
955000000 Revenue
955000001 Cost
955000002 Percent
955000003 Number

Update Interval (sensei_updateinterval)

Value Label Description
955000001 Annually
955000002 Monthly
955000003 Quarterly

Benefit Tracking

The following columns exists in Altus.

Columns prefixed with sensei_ are those that form part of the Altus solution.

The remaining are default dataverse fields created automatically.

Property Value
Display Name Benefit Tracking
Name sensei_benefittracking
Primary Column Benefit Tracking Entry Id
Description
Display Name Name Data type Field Length Customizable Required Searchable
Actual Value sensei_actualvalue Decimal True False False
Benefit sensei_benefit Lookup True True False
Benefit Tracking sensei_benefittrackingId Primary Key True False False
Benefit Tracking Entry Id (Primary name column) sensei_entryid Single line of text 100 True True True
Created By CreatedBy Lookup True False False
Created By (Delegate) CreatedOnBehalfBy Lookup True False False
Created On CreatedOn Date and Time Date and Time True False False
Date sensei_date Date and Time Date Only True True False
Entry Type sensei_entrytype Yes/No True False False
Forecast Value sensei_forecastvalue Decimal True False False
Import Sequence Number ImportSequenceNumber Whole number True False False
Modified By ModifiedBy Lookup True False False
Modified By (Delegate) ModifiedOnBehalfBy Lookup True False False
Modified On ModifiedOn Date and Time Date and Time True False False
Owner OwnerId Owner True False False
Owning Business Unit OwningBusinessUnit Lookup True False False
Owning Team OwningTeam Lookup True False False
Owning User OwningUser Lookup True False False
Planned Value sensei_plannedvalue Decimal True False False
Record Created On OverriddenCreatedOn Date and Time Date Only True False False
Status statecode Choice True False False
Status Comment sensei_statuscomment Multiple lines of text 2000 True False False
Status Reason statuscode Choice True False False
Time Zone Rule Version Number TimeZoneRuleVersionNumber Whole number -1 to 2147483647 True False False
Type sensei_type picklist True False False
UTC Conversion Time Zone Code UTCConversionTimeZoneCode Whole number -1 to 2147483647 True False False
Value sensei_value Decimal True False False

Benefit Measure Type (sensei_measuretype)

Value Label Description
955000000 Actual
955000001 Forecast
955000002 Planned

Benefit Outcome

The following columns exists in Altus.

Columns prefixed with sensei_ are those that form part of the Altus solution.

The remaining are default dataverse fields created automatically.

Property Value
Display Name Benefit Outcome
Name sensei_benefitoutcome
Primary Column Name
Description
Display Name Name Data type Field Length Customizable Required Searchable
Benefit sensei_Benefit Lookup True False False
Category sensei_category picklist True False False
Created By CreatedBy Lookup True False False
Created By (Delegate) CreatedOnBehalfBy Lookup True False False
Created On CreatedOn Date and Time Date and Time True False False
Description sensei_description Multiple lines of text 2000 True False False
Due Date sensei_duedate Date and Time Date Only True False True
Import Sequence Number ImportSequenceNumber Whole number True False False
Modified By ModifiedBy Lookup True False False
Modified By (Delegate) ModifiedOnBehalfBy Lookup True False False
Modified On ModifiedOn Date and Time Date and Time True False False
Name (Primary name column) sensei_name Single line of text 500 True True True
Outcome sensei_benefitoutcomeId Primary Key True False False
Owner OwnerId Owner True False False
Owning Business Unit OwningBusinessUnit Lookup True False False
Owning Team OwningTeam Lookup True False False
Owning User OwningUser Lookup True False False
Progress Update sensei_progressupdate Multiple lines of text 2000 True False False
Record Created On OverriddenCreatedOn Date and Time Date Only True False False
Status statecode Choice True False False
Status Reason statuscode Choice True False False
Time Zone Rule Version Number TimeZoneRuleVersionNumber Whole number -1 to 2147483647 True False False
UTC Conversion Time Zone Code UTCConversionTimeZoneCode Whole number -1 to 2147483647 True False False

Outcome Category (sensei_outcomecategory)

Value Label Description
955000000 Capability
955000001 Material

Benefit Output

The following columns exists in Altus.

Columns prefixed with sensei_ are those that form part of the Altus solution.

The remaining are default dataverse fields created automatically.

Property Value
Display Name Benefit Output
Name sensei_benefitoutput
Primary Column Name
Description
Display Name Name Data type Field Length Customizable Required Searchable
Benefit sensei_benefit Lookup True False False
Category sensei_category picklist True False False
Created By CreatedBy Lookup True False False
Created By (Delegate) CreatedOnBehalfBy Lookup True False False
Created On CreatedOn Date and Time Date and Time True False False
Description sensei_description Multiple lines of text 2000 True False False
Due Date sensei_duedate Date and Time Date Only True False True
Import Sequence Number ImportSequenceNumber Whole number True False False
Modified By ModifiedBy Lookup True False False
Modified By (Delegate) ModifiedOnBehalfBy Lookup True False False
Modified On ModifiedOn Date and Time Date and Time True False False
Name (Primary name column) sensei_name Single line of text 500 True True True
Output sensei_benefitoutputId Primary Key True False False
Owner OwnerId Owner True False False
Owning Business Unit OwningBusinessUnit Lookup True False False
Owning Team OwningTeam Lookup True False False
Owning User OwningUser Lookup True False False
Progress Update sensei_progressupdate Multiple lines of text 2000 True False False
Record Created On OverriddenCreatedOn Date and Time Date Only True False False
Status statecode Choice True False False
Status Reason statuscode Choice True False False
Time Zone Rule Version Number TimeZoneRuleVersionNumber Whole number -1 to 2147483647 True False False
UTC Conversion Time Zone Code UTCConversionTimeZoneCode Whole number -1 to 2147483647 True False False

Outcome Category (sensei_outcomecategory)

Value Label Description
955000000 Capability
955000001 Material

Benefit Process

The following columns exists in Altus.

Columns prefixed with sensei_ are those that form part of the Altus solution.

The remaining are default dataverse fields created automatically.

Property Value
Display Name Benefit Process
Name sensei_benefitprocess
Primary Column Name
Description Base entity for process Benefit Process
Display Name Name Data type Field Length Customizable Required Searchable
Active Stage ActiveStageId Lookup True False False
Active Stage Started On ActiveStageStartedOn Date and Time Date Only True False False
Benefit Process BusinessProcessFlowInstanceId Primary Key True False False
Completed On CompletedOn Date and Time Date Only True False False
Created By CreatedBy Lookup True False False
Created By (Delegate) CreatedOnBehalfBy Lookup True False False
Created On CreatedOn Date and Time Date and Time True False False
Duration bpf_Duration Whole number 0 to 2147483647 True False False
Import Sequence Number ImportSequenceNumber Whole number True False False
Modified By ModifiedBy Lookup True False False
Modified By (Delegate) ModifiedOnBehalfBy Lookup True False False
Modified On ModifiedOn Date and Time Date and Time True False False
Name (Primary name column) bpf_name Single line of text 100 True True True
Organization Id OrganizationId Lookup True False False
Process ProcessId Lookup True False False
Record Created On OverriddenCreatedOn Date and Time Date Only True False False
Sensei_Benefit bpf_sensei_benefitid Lookup True False False
Status statecode Choice True False False
Status Reason statuscode Choice True False False
Time Zone Rule Version Number TimeZoneRuleVersionNumber Whole number -1 to 2147483647 True False False
Traversed Path TraversedPath Single line of text 1250 True False False
UTC Conversion Time Zone Code UTCConversionTimeZoneCode Whole number -1 to 2147483647 True False False

Security Roles

Security Roles for Benefit

Security Role Create Read Write Delete Append Append To Assign Share
Altus - PMO User Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global
Altus - Portfolio Manager Basic Local Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Portfolio Manager - Team Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Program Manager Basic Local Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Program Manager - Team Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Strategy Executive Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global
Altus Admin User Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global
Altus Portfolio User Local Local Local Local Local Local Local Local
Altus Project Executive Local Local Local Local Local Local Local Local
Altus Project User Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus Strategy User Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global

Legend

  • Global Organisation / Global
  • Local Business Unit / Local
  • Basic User / Basic
  • None None

For details see Application Security.

Security Roles for Benefit Tracking

Security Role Create Read Write Delete Append Append To Assign Share
Altus - PMO User Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global
Altus - Portfolio Manager Basic Local Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Portfolio Manager - Team Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Program Manager Basic Local Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Program Manager - Team Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Strategy Executive Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global
Altus Admin User Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global
Altus Portfolio User Local Local Local Local Local Local Local Local
Altus Project Executive Local Local Local Local Local Local Local Local
Altus Project User Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus Strategy User Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global

Legend

  • Global Organisation / Global
  • Local Business Unit / Local
  • Basic User / Basic
  • None None

For details see Application Security.

Security Roles for Benefit Outcome

Security Role Create Read Write Delete Append Append To Assign Share
Altus - PMO User Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global
Altus - Portfolio Manager Basic Local Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Portfolio Manager - Team Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Program Manager Basic Local Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Program Manager - Team Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Strategy Executive Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global
Altus Admin User Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global
Altus Portfolio User Local Local Local Local Local Local Local Local
Altus Project Executive Local Local Local Local Local Local Local Local
Altus Project User Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus Strategy User Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global

Legend

  • Global Organisation / Global
  • Local Business Unit / Local
  • Basic User / Basic
  • None None

For details see Application Security.

Security Roles for Benefit Output

Security Role Create Read Write Delete Append Append To Assign Share
Altus - PMO User Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global
Altus - Portfolio Manager Basic Local Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Portfolio Manager - Team Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Program Manager Basic Local Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Program Manager - Team Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus - Strategy Executive Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global
Altus Admin User Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global
Altus Portfolio User Local Local Local Local Local Local Local Local
Altus Project Executive Local Local Local Local Local Local Local Local
Altus Project User Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Altus Strategy User Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global

Legend

  • Global Organisation / Global
  • Local Business Unit / Local
  • Basic User / Basic
  • None None

For details see Application Security.

Security Roles for Benefit Process

Security Role Create Read Write Delete Append Append To Assign Share
Altus - PMO User Global Global Global Global Global Global None None
Altus - Portfolio Manager Global Global Global Global Global Global None None
Altus - Portfolio Manager - Team Global Global Global Global Global Global None None
Altus - Program Manager Global Global Global Global Global Global None None
Altus - Program Manager - Team Global Global Global Global Global Global None None
Altus - Strategy Executive Global Global Global Global Global Global None None
Altus Admin User Global Global Global Global Global Global None None
Altus Portfolio User Global Global Global Global Global Global None None
Altus Strategy User Global Global Global Global Global Global None None

Legend

  • Global Organisation / Global
  • Local Business Unit / Local
  • Basic User / Basic
  • None None

For details see Application Security.

Dataverse Tables

Strategy Strategy with fields


Edit this page