PMP Practice Question: Business Environment: strategy and project benefits
A project manager is leading a project to implement a new customer relationship management (CRM) platform. The project charter states that the primary benefit is a 20% increase in sales within one year of launch. After the project is completed and the system is operational, the project manager is asked to participate in a post-implementation review. The project manager learns that although the system is functioning as designed, the sales increase has not yet been realized. What should the project manager do FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that because the project is complete and the system works, the benefits should already be realized, without checking the benefits realization plan for the expected timeframe and measurement criteria.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Review the benefits realization plan and verify whether the measurement period and metrics are being applied correctly.
The benefits realization plan outlines how benefits are measured, when they are expected, and who is responsible. Since the system is operational but benefits are not yet seen, the project manager should first verify that the measurement is correct and that the expected timeframe has been considered. This ensures that any subsequent actions are based on accurate information and aligned with the plan.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Review the benefits realization plan and verify whether the measurement period and metrics are being applied correctly.
Why this is correct
The benefits realization plan defines how and when benefits are measured. Since the system is operational but benefits are not yet realized, the first step is to check whether the measurement approach is correct and whether the expected timeframe has elapsed. This ensures that any further action is based on accurate data and aligns with the plan.
- ✗
Escalate to the project sponsor that the project has failed to deliver the expected benefits.
Why it's wrong here
Escalating a failure is premature because the benefits may not yet be due. The project manager should first confirm whether the benefits are being measured correctly and whether the expected timeframe has passed. Escalating without this analysis could damage credibility and lead to unnecessary conflict.
- ✗
Recommend that the project be closed and the remaining budget be reallocated to other initiatives.
Why it's wrong here
Closing the project and reallocating budget is premature. The project has delivered the system, and benefits may still be realized later. The project manager should first investigate why benefits are not yet realized and whether they are being measured correctly, rather than assuming failure and taking drastic action.
- ✗
Update the business case to reflect the actual benefits achieved so far.
Why it's wrong here
Updating the business case with actual benefits is part of benefits tracking, but it is not the first step. The business case is a living document, but before making changes, the project manager should verify that the measurement is accurate and that the expected benefits timeframe has been considered. Otherwise, the update could be based on flawed data.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Leading Teams and Empowering Team Members
Key term
Project Charter
A project charter is a formal document that authorizes the existence of a project and gives the project manager the authority to use organizational resources to complete the project.
Key term
Benefits Realization
Benefits Realization is the process of ensuring that the outcomes of a project or program actually deliver the expected value and improvements to the organization.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official PMI exam blueprint
This PMP practice question is part of Courseiva's free PMI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PMP exam.