Enhancing project benefit realization through integration of line managers as project benefit managers

•Contributes by addressing the WHO question within project benefit realization•Line managers as project benefit managers can enhance project compliance.•Cohesiveness of the project benefit manager's network is important for success.•A trustful mutual relationship with the relevant peer manager is important.

Many organizations establish projects to undertake change efforts. However, the aimed-for benefits are often difficult to harvest. A viable way to move the field forward may be to address the WHO question related to project benefit realization. A case study was undertaken in the international service organization with multi-site branches. The aim of this study was to investigate the potentials of integrating line managers in a formal role as project benefit managers within a project team for enhancing realization of project benefits. Based on the findings, we claim that line managers as project benefit managers can enhance compliance in project implementation. This is not least due to their detailed knowledge about operational processes. However, the cohesiveness of a project benefit manager’s network as well as the mutual relationship between the project benefit manager and relevant peer managers has an importance for the success of the project benefit managers.