A Post Implementation Review (PIR) is a formal review of a program or project. It is used to answer the question: Did we achieve what we set out to do, in business terms and if not, what should be done?

It checks whether benefits, including these set out in the business case have been achieved and identifies opportunities for further improvement. Without a PIR, you cannot demonstrate that your investment in the program of business change was worthwhile.

PIRs are a key part of the benefits management process - benefits will not materialise simply through the implementation of change delivered by a project - they may also require a change in the way that the organisation and its staff work. Benefits must be actively managed to be achieved; the PIR is a key element in the benefits management process because it is used to assess whether the changes that have taken place have improved effectiveness and to make recommendations for further improvements (Program management). Reviews help organisations to assess the contribution of business change projects to business objectives - these objectives and the metrics that will be applied to measure their achievement should be stated in your business and supporting strategies. In practice, these objectives are achieved through projects and programs of business change.

The objective of the PIR is to ensure that the maximum benefit is obtained for the organisation through the business change that the project made possible, and to make recommendations if the benefits are not obtained.