Major investment projects: PERs and PIRs guidance
Project Evaluation Reviews are usually conducted when a project is near completion, at the end of a particular project phase, or immediately after project sign-off. The aim is to assess how well the project has been managed rather than the overall success of the project.
They are conducted over a 2-3 week period by a small team, who will read key project documentation, and interview project members, system users and suppliers. They will produce a short report on their findings. Typical terms of reference are:
- To review the project management and implementation
- To consider lessons learned for other projects
- To identify any 'quick wins' that may benefit the business or the users.
- To report with findings and recommendations
Post-Implementation Reviews can be seen as a detailed investigation of the benefits achieved by the project's products and is generally conducted over a 6-8 week period. It is usually carried out by a small team, independent of the project team, about 9 months after the project sign-off but the actual timing should be agreed by the Project Board at project closure.
The review involves the detailed analysis of project documentation, stakeholder interviews and the production of a comprehensive report. Its primary objective is to investigate whether the aims of the business case have been satisfied and to identify any lessons learned. Typical terms of reference for a Post Implementation Review (in addition to those of a Project Evaluation Review) are:
- To assess whether the requirements identified in the business case have been satisfied and whether the project has met its objectives
- To review estimated implementation costs and running costs against out-turn figures
- To compare benefits gained against those initially envisaged
- To consider ways in which systems or the use of systems might be enhanced to produce further savings or benefits