Are your project metrics creating lasting value?

Read time: 5 minutes Words: 980

We’ve reached the final layer of the FOS framework- strategic metrics!  

So far, we’ve covered:

💰 Foundational metrics – your project’s financial viability
⚙️ Operational metrics – how efficiently work gets done

In this issue, we’re exploring KPIs that track whether your projects are creating meaningful, lasting value. To help us understand which strategic metrics matter most, we spoke with Markus Kopko, a leading project management voice on LinkedIn and an experienced PM consultant. Plus: 

• How you can use budgeting and forecasting to gain confidence in your project’s hiring plan

• How you can use objectives and OKRs to align project delivery with the overall business strategy

• PM’s headaches: client reports that don't read like ‘Death by PowerPoint’

Here’s a quick refresher: The FOS framework is a new approach we’re introducing to help project and operations leaders rethink how they track performance - layering metrics into three key areas: Foundational, Operational, and Strategic.

This month, we’re focusing on the strategic layer - the metrics that measure long-term impact, resilience, and alignment with business goals. Because success isn’t just about getting things done; it’s about getting the right things done in a way that supports the future.

Let’s break down five strategic metrics every PM should be tracking.

P.S. Missed earlier parts of the series? Catch up here:
👉 Intro to the FOS framework + self-assessment
👉 Foundational metrics
👉 Operational metrics


📈 1. Benefit realization (%)

Formula:
Benefit Realization = (Achieved Benefits / Planned Benefits) × 100

Why it matters:

• Tracks whether the intended value of a project was actually delivered

• Holds teams accountable beyond delivery milestones

• Helps justify continued investment in similar initiatives
  

How it helps:
Links effort to outcome, especially important in programs, transformation projects, or change initiatives.

Expert insight:

🤝 2. Stakeholder engagement score

Formula:
Typically collected via surveys (Likert scale, NPS-style), engagement logs, or participation rates in reviews and planning sessions. Use this template to calculate stakeholder engagement.

Why it matters:

• Indicates how informed, involved, and aligned stakeholders are

• Early warning sign for project resistance or friction

• Tied to long-term success, especially in cross-functional projects
  

How it helps:
Improves trust, accelerates buy-in, and reduces resistance during change or rollout phases.

Expert insight:

🎯 3. Strategic alignment index

Definition:
A scoring system that shows how well the project aligns with broader business goals or strategic objectives.
(Example: Use a 1–5 rating across multiple business dimensions such as growth, innovation, sustainability, etc.)

Why it matters:

• Ensures you’re investing in the right work, not just executing it well: “Are we doing the right projects to deliver our strategy?”

• Helps prioritize and protect high-value initiatives

• Encourages alignment across departments and leadership
  

How it helps:
Guides smarter portfolio planning and helps cut projects that aren’t moving the business forward.

Expert insight:

⏱ 4. Time-to-value

Formula:
Time-to-Value = Date Value Was Realized – Date of Project Start

Why it matters:

• Helps assess how quickly new projects contribute to business goals.

• Encourages leaner scopes and faster delivery of usable outcomes

• Aligns teams around outcomes, not just output

• Builds credibility and improves decision-making for future project funding.
  

How it helps:
Accelerates value realization cycles and gives teams the incentive to avoid gold-plating or scope creep.

Expert insight:

📉 5. Benefit forecast curve

Definition:
A time-based visual metric that maps expected vs. actual value delivery over the course of a project. It’s both a strategic KPI and a planning tool.

Why it matters:

• Tracks how and when benefits are expected to accrue

• Makes it easier to track delays in realizing benefits

• Encourages forward-looking value tracking, not just retrospective reporting
  

How it helps:
Improves strategic forecasting and keeps long-term outcomes in view, even when short-term progress fluctuates.

Expert insight:

This month’s can't-miss resources:

🖌From the web -How to tackle budgeting and forecasting headcount (the right way)
Paul Barnhurst

🎙Podcast vault - How to use OKRs in your project to amplify its business impact
The DPM Podcast

🗣 Discussions from Reddit - How do you create client reports that don't read like essays or "Death by PowerPoint"?

🗓 Webinar - The power of portfolio thinking @14th of August, 12pm EDT

🗓 Webinar - From chaos to clarity: Leading AI software projects with confidence @21st of August, 1pm EDT

Thank you for reading! See you next month

Think a friend or colleague would find this useful? Feel free to forward it!

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here.