Benefits Dependency Network

Correct Answer: Identify and select a reliable vendor quickly to ensure the benefit can be realized.

The correct approach in such a situation, when the digitization benefit is totally dependent on the implementation of new software and the vendor is still not decided, would be to identify and select a reliable vendor quickly. This is crucial to ensure that the benefit can be realized. This approach aligns with the principles of proper project management, where all necessary resources for the project execution should be secured in advance to prevent unnecessary risks or delays. Starting the digitization process using the current software and select a vendor later would risk creating additional work and potentially creating compatibility issues once the new vendor is selected. The software used for digitization should be compatible across all documents to be converted. Procrastinating on vendor selection and hoping for the best is not a viable approach in a structured project, as it could lead to unmanageable risks and delays in the project, causing potential disruption of the entire digital transformation process. Suggesting to management to drop the digitization idea because of unpredictability is not a solution, it is simply avoiding the issue. A key aspect of project management is to manage and mitigate risks, not avoid them entirely by abandoning projects.

Correct Answer: The business change is a key driver for multiple project outcomes

The correct answer is: 'The business change is a key driver for multiple project outcomes.'

In a Benefits Dependency Network, when multiple benefits are linked to a single business change, it indicates that this particular change is a crucial driver for achieving various project outcomes. This relationship demonstrates the strategic importance of the business change and its potential to create multiple positive impacts across the project.

This answer is correct because:
1. It accurately reflects the purpose of a Benefits Dependency Network, which is to show relationships between changes and benefits.
2. It emphasizes the importance of the business change as a key driver.
3. It recognizes that a single change can lead to multiple benefits, which is a common scenario in project management.

The other options are incorrect:

'The project is overly complex and needs to be simplified' is incorrect because multiple benefits from a single change don't necessarily indicate complexity. In fact, it might show efficiency in planning.

'The benefits are not properly defined and need to be reassessed' is incorrect because linking multiple benefits to a change doesn't imply poor definition. It simply shows the change's wide-reaching impact.

'The business change should be split into smaller, more manageable tasks' is incorrect because the presence of multiple benefits doesn't mean the change itself is unmanageable. Breaking it down might actually reduce its effectiveness in achieving multiple benefits.

Correct Answer: Identify this dependency as a risk and prepare a mitigation plan

The best approach when dealing with uncertainties such as government policy changes in a project is to 'Identify this dependency as a risk and prepare a mitigation plan'. This allows the project management team to be prepared for any eventualities and to take necessary steps to reduce the impact of the risk. 'Ignoring the risk, assuming the policy changes will happen in favor' is not a sound approach as it can lead to crises if the assumptions do not hold true. 'Dropping the dependent outcomes from the Benefits Dependency Network' could mean ignoring potentially significant benefits of the project which is not a good strategy. Similarly, 'Not starting the project until the policy changes are confirmed' could potentially delay the project indefinitely and is therefore not recommended.