Benefits Management and Realisation of a Digital Assessment

Assignment Overview

Task

This professional task follows on from the precedenting assessments.

You are to prepare a written report (not to exceed 2,000 words). The major focus of this report is to promote critical reading and analytic skills in managing digital health care. This includes developing critical analysis skills i.e. identifying change, tangible and intangible benefits in digital health care including shortcomings, limitations, what works well and critiquing the stakeholders’ level of involvement and contribution throughout the process. Deeper learning also includes the ability to extrapolate, extend and apply project management principles and theory based on the evidence. This is shown in the ability to make recommendations for the future. In this assessment, you must examine recent national and international literature relevant to the topic. Quality of writing skills is also being assessed to help improve competency.

The Ministry of Health Procurement Board has reviewed your digital health strategy prepared in Assessment 1. You are now expected to prepare a written report (not to exceed 2,000 words) on managing and realising benefits for the digital health infrastructure you selected.

The major focus of this report is to promote critical reading and analytic skills in managing digital health care. This includes developing critical analysis skills i.e. identifying change, tangible and intangible benefits in digital health care including short comings, limitations and what works well, and critiquing the stakeholders’ level of involvement and contribution throughout the process. Deeper learning also includes the ability to extrapolate, extend and apply project management principles and theory based on the evidence. This is shown in the ability to make recommendations for the future. Students have to examine recent national and international literature. Quality of writing skills is also being assessed to help improve competency

The student will write a report structured in the following way:

• Cover Page
• Table of Contents
• Executive Summary (250 words maximum): This section provides a short summary of the main points being presented in the report. It provides an overview of the digital health initiative and how this plan will realise benefits to deliver on the strategy.  If this part of a broader program, describe how the benefits fit within the overall initiative. Include benefits and disbenefits. This section does not add to the total word count of the assignment.
• Introduction (approximately 300 words): This section provides a context for the report by introducing the topic and purpose of the report (i.e. description of the digital health technology being implemented, scope, organisational context and stakeholders (i.e. how you organised your text).
• Outcome realisation (approximately 400 words): In this section you are required to describe the digital health project’s objective(s) and target outcome(s) and to clearly identify the links between outcomes, outputs and stakeholders.  The roles and responsibilities of the Business Owners(s) for output maintenance, outcome realisation monitoring and management of the processes required for a smooth transition to operational mode are also defined here. It is also crucial that you describe how reviews will be conducted, including standards and processes (describe processes that will ensure benefits are not double-counted and that cumulative benefits are real and realisable). Thus, this section should include the following sections:

1. Digital health project objective
2. Assumptions and constraints
3. Target outcome(s)     
4. Output ownership
5. Output utilisation
6. Target outcomes and performance measures       
7. Monitoring and reporting outcome realisation
8. Criteria for Project Closure
9. Post Project Review

It is also important to identify critical success factors and how the plan will ensure they are achieved. Make sure to write in a paragraph format, avoiding the use of bullet points to provide data. Feel free to include graphs or tables if you feel this will help convey your message within the word limit. Do not forget to include the sources you used to gather the information.

• Output Management Plan (approximately 500 words): In this section you are required to discuss how the output delivery and acceptance will occur over a period of time (e.g. phases) or as a single event; the roles and responsibilities of the relevant business owner(s); maintenance requirements for all outputs, for agreement by the responsible business owner(s); and budget and expenditure for the implementation phase including facilities and resource requirements for the implementation phase. Thus, sub-headings in this section should include:

1. Output Delivery and Acceptance
2. Business Owner(s)
3. Maintenance Requirements
4. Budget and Expenditure       
5. Facilities and Resource Requirements
6. Summary of Risks and Issues related to realising benefits

Make sure to write in a paragraph format, avoiding the use of bullet points to provide data. Feel free to include graphs or tables if you feel this will help convey your message within the word limit. Do not forget to include the sources you used to gather the information.

• Benefits Map: in this section, you will draw a high-fidelity map to show the benefits realisation plan. Please draw only one map that aligns with your overall approach
• Discussion of Transition Plan (approximately 500 words): In this section you are required to describe how the changes to the business unit(s) environment will be implemented. It is crucial that you focus on changes that are anticipated and planned ahead of time (e.g. a reduction in clinical variation, training in new or revised electronic medical record etc). However, other changes may result, such as those that emerge and are unintended (e.g. increased patient satisfaction). At a minimum, you should show how these changes or issues will be tracked to ensure they are managed appropriately.

• Recommendations (approximately 300 words): What general recommendations would you make on post closure monitoring. Your recommendations should outline:

1. how the benefits monitoring, and reporting will occur after the digital health project / program has closed.
2. how benefits variations following the project closure will be managed and who will be responsible.

Assessment Summary and Mentorship Approach

Brief Summary of the Assessment Requirements

This assessment required the student to prepare a 2,000-word professional report focusing on benefits management and realisation within a selected digital health infrastructure project. Building on the prior assessment, the task aimed to develop the student’s critical reading, analysis, and application skills in managing digital healthcare initiatives.

The report was expected to demonstrate the student’s ability to:

• Critically analyse tangible and intangible benefits, limitations, and stakeholder involvement in digital health care.

• Apply project management principles and theory to identify success factors and propose evidence-based recommendations for future improvement.

• Review recent national and international literature to support findings and ensure an informed, analytical discussion.

• Present a professionally structured report demonstrating clarity, coherence, and academic writing proficiency.

The report structure included the following key sections:

1. Executive Summary (250 words):
   An overview of the digital health initiative, highlighting its benefits, disbenefits, and strategic alignment.

2. Introduction (approx. 300 words):
   Contextualising the digital health technology, defining its purpose, organisational setting, and key stakeholders.

3. Outcome Realisation (approx. 400 words):
   Explaining project objectives, assumptions, target outcomes, performance measures, stakeholder roles, monitoring frameworks, and criteria for closure.

4. Output Management Plan (approx. 500 words):
   Discussing output delivery, acceptance, ownership, maintenance, budgeting, resource needs, and risk analysis.

5. Benefits Map:
   Creating a visual representation of how outputs and outcomes lead to realised benefits.

6. Transition Plan (approx. 500 words):
   Describing planned changes in the business environment, including training, workflow adjustments, and management of intended/unintended changes.

7. Recommendations (approx. 300 words):
   Providing guidance on post-project benefits monitoring, reporting responsibilities, and managing benefit variations after project closure.

Overall, the assessment required integration of theory with practical digital healthcare management, critical reflection on stakeholder contributions, and strong academic communication skills.

Mentorship Approach

The academic mentor approached the guidance process methodically, ensuring the student understood both the conceptual framework and the structural expectations of the assessment. The mentor broke the work into manageable stages, each focusing on one section of the report and the skills required to complete it effectively.

Step 1: Clarifying the Assessment Scope and Objectives

The mentor began by clarifying the purpose of the report — to evaluate how digital health initiatives realise benefits and to assess stakeholder involvement using critical and analytical perspectives.
They explained the difference between outputs (deliverables such as a new digital system) and outcomes (measurable improvements like efficiency or patient satisfaction).

The mentor also reviewed the assessment criteria, highlighting:

• The need to integrate theory with practice.

• The importance of referencing recent, credible literature.

• The focus on analytical discussion rather than descriptive writing.

This helped the student understand not just what to write, but why each section mattered.

Step 2: Developing the Executive Summary

The mentor guided the student to write the Executive Summary last, even though it appears first.
They explained that this section should provide a concise snapshot of the entire report — including the chosen digital health initiative, expected benefits, identified challenges, and strategic importance.

The mentor provided a template focusing on:

• Purpose of the digital initiative.

• Key benefits and disbenefits.

• Alignment with the organisation’s overall digital health strategy.

• Summary of major findings and recommendations.

This ensured the summary remained focused, factual, and within the 250-word limit.

Step 3: Structuring the Introduction

The Introduction was framed to establish context, purpose, and stakeholder relevance.
The mentor instructed the student to:

• Briefly describe the digital technology being analysed (e.g., telehealth platform, digital patient records, etc.).

• Define the organisational context public hospital, regional clinic, or private healthcare provider.

• Identify key stakeholders, such as healthcare professionals, IT staff, patients, and policymakers.

• Conclude with a clear statement of purpose outlining what the report will cover.

This section trained the student to articulate the “why” and “what” of the report in a coherent academic manner.

Step 4: Guiding the Outcome Realisation Section

For Outcome Realisation, the mentor explained how to link objectives, outputs, and outcomes logically.
Each subsection was developed systematically:

• Digital Health Project Objectives: Clearly define what the project aims to achieve.

• Assumptions and Constraints: Identify any limitations (e.g., budget, technical expertise).

• Target Outcomes: Show expected benefits in measurable terms, such as improved clinical efficiency or reduced waiting times.

• Performance Measures: Introduce KPIs aligned with SMART principles.

• Monitoring and Reporting: Explain how outcomes would be tracked and validated over time.

• Project Closure and Post-Review: Define evaluation criteria and accountability mechanisms.

The mentor emphasised writing in analytical paragraphs rather than bullet points, integrating supporting literature where applicable. This step reinforced the student’s understanding of project governance and benefits tracking.

Step 5: Supporting the Output Management Plan

In this section, the mentor encouraged the student to focus on operational planning and resource management.
The student was guided to discuss:

• How outputs will be delivered sequentially or as a single release.

• The role of Business Owners in maintaining and validating outputs.

• Maintenance requirements for the implemented system (e.g., updates, technical support).

• Budgeting and expenditure considerations, including human and material resources.

• Risks and issues that might affect benefit realisation (e.g., staff resistance, system downtime).

The mentor introduced real-world healthcare examples and literature references to strengthen the analysis, improving the student’s ability to link theoretical models with practical application.

Step 6: Creating the Benefits Map

The mentor explained the concept of a Benefits Dependency Network (BDN) and how to use it to create a visual benefits map.
They guided the student to depict:

• Inputs (resources, activities).

• Outputs (system deliverables).

• Outcomes (immediate improvements).

• Benefits (long-term impact).

The mentor advised the student to use clear, labelled diagrams and ensure alignment between the map and the written sections, reinforcing understanding of cause-and-effect relationships in project benefits.

Step 7: Developing the Transition Plan

For the Transition Plan, the mentor coached the student on describing the process of change management in healthcare.
The plan included:

• Anticipated organisational changes (e.g., revised workflows, staff training).

• Unintended consequences (e.g., workload adjustments, patient perceptions).

• Monitoring systems to ensure issues are identified and addressed promptly.

The mentor stressed incorporating evidence-based practices from digital health literature and linking them with change management frameworks like ADKAR or Kotter’s model.

Step 8: Framing the Recommendations

Finally, the mentor guided the student in formulating Recommendations focused on sustainability and governance beyond project closure.
The key focus areas included:

• Continuous monitoring and periodic benefit reviews.

• Assignment of responsibility for ongoing reporting.

• Mechanisms for managing benefit variations over time.

The mentor encouraged concise, actionable recommendations supported by theory, demonstrating the student’s ability to synthesise learning into practical insights.

Step 9: Reviewing and Refining the Report

Before final submission, the mentor helped the student:

• Check logical flow and coherence between sections.

• Validate academic sources and ensure proper APA referencing.

• Refine grammar, tone, and formatting for professional readability.

• Ensure compliance with the 2,000-word limit and marking rubric.

This final review reinforced the importance of academic integrity, critical thinking, and professional communication.

Final Outcome and Learning Achievements

By the end of the mentorship process, the student successfully produced a comprehensive and analytically rich report that aligned with all assessment requirements.
The report demonstrated:

• Critical analysis of digital health benefits and stakeholder contributions.

• Application of project management principles to real-world healthcare scenarios.

• Understanding of benefits mapping, governance, and monitoring frameworks.

• Improved academic writing, referencing, and report structuring skills.

Learning Objectives Achieved

1. Developed advanced analytical and critical reading skills.

2. Applied theoretical knowledge to practical digital health case studies.

3. Strengthened understanding of benefits management and realisation frameworks.

4. Demonstrated ability to construct evidence-based recommendations.

5. Enhanced professional and academic writing competency.

The student’s final submission reflected a strong grasp of both technical project management principles and strategic digital healthcare insights, achieving the desired learning outcomes set by the assessment brief.

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