---
reference_type: Principle
reference_id: P8-02
name: Focus on Value
version: "1.0.0"
status: Active
edition: PMBOK8
pmbok8_source: "PMBOK8 Standard §3.4 — Focus on Value"
authority: PMI-derived
file_path: "reference/principles/pmbok8/P8-02-focus-on-value.md"
last_updated: "2026-06-07"
---

# P8-02 — Focus on Value
**Type:** Principle  
**Edition:** PMBOK 8th Edition (2025)  
**PMBOK 8 Source:** PMBOK8 Standard §3.4 — Focus on Value  
**Version:** 1.0.0  

## Definition
The **Focus on Value** principle dictates that value (measurable or qualitative net benefits) is the ultimate success indicator and driver of projects (Standard §3.4). Project teams must continually evaluate and adjust project alignment to target business objectives, intended benefits, and stakeholder value throughout the project life cycle.

## Key Characteristics
- **Ultimate Indicator:** Value per unit of investment is the primary measure of project success, superseding simple baseline compliance (§3.4).
- **Outcome-Oriented:** Focuses on outcomes (changes in state or behavior) rather than merely producing deliverables or outputs (§3.4.1).
- **Strategic Justification:** Grounded in a business case, ensuring that project objectives remain worth more than what is invested (§3.4).
- **Continuous Alignment:** Requires iterative assessment of viability using feedback loops and quality gates, adapting or terminating when alignment is lost (§3.4).
- **Waste Elimination:** Seeks to optimize workflows, manage risks pragmatically, and minimize unnecessary rework or resource consumption (§3.4).

## Relationship to Other Principles
| Principle | Relationship |
|---|---|
| P8-01 — Adopt a Holistic View | A holistic perspective is required to evaluate long-term payback periods and organizational value distribution (§3.4). |
| P8-03 — Embed Quality | Quality criteria (acceptance criteria and DoD) must directly support and enable the desired project outcomes and value (§3.4.1). |
| P8-04 — Accountable Leader | Accountable leaders take ownership of the project's business case and align team behaviors with value objectives (§3.6). |
| P8-05 — Integrate Sustainability | Value realization must encompass the triple bottom line—social, environmental, and financial returns (§3.7). |

## Artifact Connections
| Artifact | Connection |
|---|---|
| A01 — Business Case | Establishes the initial strategic and financial justification, defining target value, benefits, and payback expectations. |
| A02 — Benefits and Value Measurement Record | Tracks actual and projected benefits realization against the business case throughout the lifecycle. |
| A24 — Closure and Benefits Transition Record | Details the formal transfer of deliverables and ownership to ensure long-term value realization. |

## Skill Connections
| Skill ID | Skill Name | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| SKL-01-02 | Develop Project Business Case | Formulates the value proposition, financial metrics, and strategic alignment of the project. |
| SKL-06-03 | Plan and Manage Transition | Ensures that project outcomes are successfully integrated into operations to realize benefits. |

## Questions to Ask in Practice
1. Does this deliverable or feature directly contribute to the intended project outcomes and business case value?
2. Are we tracking value indicators (quantitative or qualitative) or just tracking schedule and budget compliance?
3. If project context changes, is the project still worth the remaining investment compared to other options?
4. How will the client or receiving organization measure and realize the benefits of this project post-closure?

*Authority: PMBOK8 Standard §3.4 — Focus on Value · Source type: PMI-derived*
*Repository: https://github.com/fakhruldeen/PMOSkills*
