Technology & Innovation Forum: why Post Implementation Reviews matter

Organised and hosted jointly by Finativ and Asset Finance Connect, the July online session of the Technology & Innovation Forum focused on a critical, yet often overlooked, step in delivering successful technology projects: the Post Implementation Review (PIR).

A PIR marks the formal conclusion of a project, offering an opportunity to reflect, evaluate, and learn. It ensures that organisations don’t just complete projects but actually realise their intended benefits.

Why conduct a Post Implementation Review?

A well-executed PIR goes beyond a simple check-box exercise. It is a structured opportunity to ask: Did the project achieve what we set out to do, and what can we learn for next time?

• Validating objectives – The PIR formally assesses whether the project met its original goals, not just in terms of time and cost, but in terms of the business value delivered.
• Capturing lessons learned – A balanced PIR examines both successes and shortcomings, offering valuable insights for both business and IT stakeholders.
• Involving decision-makers – To be truly effective, the same stakeholders who approved the project should participate in the review, ensuring alignment between intent and outcome.
• Driving business ownership – Technology projects are business initiatives at their core. A PIR reinforces that the business, not just IT, owns the outcomes and the benefits achieved.

Why don’t we do PIRs more often?

Despite their clear value, PIRs are surprisingly underused. As the discussion highlighted, many organisations struggle to make time for them, often preferring to move straight onto the next initiative.

Yet, skipping a PIR means missing an opportunity to improve. Whether a project went smoothly, underdelivered, or faced significant challenges, structured reflection is essential for growth:

• A PIR highlights whether project objectives were truly met and can reveal issues with processes or expectations set at the outset.
• It should form the final step in an ongoing governance process, rather than a standalone event.
• Given that most organisations run multiple projects simultaneously, PIRs help connect the dots between initiatives, feeding lessons learned into future programmes.

Overcoming the barriers

The most common obstacle to conducting PIRs? Business-as-usual (BAU).

Too often, organisations are “too busy” to reflect. But this is less about time and more about culture. Businesses that foster strong collaboration between IT and operational teams are better placed to prioritise reviews and continuous improvement.

The session emphasised a mindset shift:

• A PIR is not about assigning blame but about recognising achievements and identifying solutions.
• It should be seen as a celebration of what has been delivered – an opportunity to showcase successes, learn from challenges, and build trust between stakeholders.
• When conducted consistently, PIRs become a powerful measure of success and a driver of organisational effectiveness.

In the end, the real question is less “Why should we conduct a PIR?” and more “Why wouldn’t we?”

What’s next for the Forum

Looking ahead, the September (24th) and October (15th) online sessions of the Technology & Innovation Forum will tackle some of the most persistent business pain points – areas where IT investment has yet to deliver on its full potential.

The discussions will explore why some projects fail to translate into tangible benefits and examine whether critical, detailed requirements are being overshadowed by larger, more high-profile initiatives.

About the Technology & Innovation Forum

The Technology & Innovation Forum is a collaborative community of tech experts, non-technical influencers, and technology decision-makers from across the motor and asset finance sectors.

Through regular online sessions, the forum provides a platform to explore challenges, share insights, and shape the future of technology within the industry.

The Technology & Innovation Forum is open to AFC’s lender corporate members. To learn more or register, please contact Ariana Pragana at arianapragana@finance-connect.com.

Not yet an AFC corporate member? Get in touch with AFC’s Business Development Director, Joe Nilsson, at +44 (0) 7379 096 111 or joenilsson@finance-connect.com.