> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://valuemap.app/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Benefits
The **Benefits** tab is where you define the expected financial value an initiative will deliver. Each benefit object represents a distinct value stream with its own timing, value configuration, and scenario settings.
**Required role**
**Super Admin**, **Admin**, and **Contributor** can create, edit, and delete benefits. **Viewer** can view benefits but cannot make changes.
Choose **Add new benefit** to create from scratch, or **Add from template** to use a pre-configured benefit saved at the product, portfolio, or org level.
Work through the Attributes, Timing, Value, and Advanced sections described below.
The **Live Financial Summary** panel on the right updates in real time. Once satisfied, click **Publish** in the summary panel to apply the active scenario to the initiative.
## Attributes
| Field | Notes |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Benefit name** | A descriptive name for this value stream (e.g., "Incremental Revenue - Enterprise Tier"). |
| **Description** | Optional free-text context explaining the source or assumptions behind this benefit. |
| **Benefit type** | The category this benefit falls into. Options are defined in your org's Configurations: Revenue Growth, Cost Savings, Operational Efficiency, Risk Mitigation, or any custom types your org has added. |
## Timing
| Field | Notes |
| --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Start month** | The first month in which this benefit is expected to be realized. |
| **Duration** | How long the benefit runs. Options are **One-time** (single occurrence), **Recurring** (specify an end date or number of months), or **Until the time horizon of the initiative** (runs through the initiative's full time horizon). |
| **Recognition** | Determines the cash flow timing within each period. **Start (in advance)** treats it as an Annuity Due - recognized on the first day of the period (day 1). Note: a flow set to Start in month N applies month Nā1's discount period. Because ValueMap uses month-by-month precision, this distinction meaningfully affects the discounted value of the cash flow - earlier recognition increases present value. **End (in arrears)** treats the flow as an Ordinary Annuity - recognized on the last day of the period. This is the default for most business models. |
## Value
| Field | Notes |
| ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Estimated benefit** | The base value of the benefit per interval. Enter a simple numeric amount using **Simple** mode, or switch to **Formula** mode to define a calculated value. See the **Formula Builder** section for full reference. |
| **Benefit notes** | Optional free-text field to document assumptions, sources, or caveats for the estimated value. |
| **Benefit interval** | The frequency at which the estimated value repeats - Monthly, Quarterly, or Annually. For one-time benefits this field is not applicable. |
| **Confidence interval** | Sets the variance range used when applying scenarios. For example, a 10% confidence interval creates a 90%ā110% range around your baseline value - the Conservative scenario will use 90% of the value and the Optimistic scenario will use 110%. A higher confidence interval means a wider spread between scenarios. |
| **Confidence notes** | Optional notes explaining the rationale behind your chosen confidence interval. |
## Advanced
Ramp and growth are disabled for one-time benefits. These fields only apply to recurring benefit items.
| Field | Notes |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Ramp duration** | The time it takes to reach the full projected benefit value. For example, a 6-month ramp assumes you achieve an additional 1/6th (\~16.7%) of the target value each month until Month 6, at which point the full estimated benefit is realized. Set the ramp end using a specific date, a number of months, or until the end of the object's duration. This can't be set before the start month or after the end month of the object. |
| **Ramp notes** | Optional notes explaining the ramp assumption (e.g., sales cycle length, adoption curve). |
| **Growth rate** | A periodic compounding growth rate applied to the benefit value over time (e.g., 2% monthly). If a ramp is also set, the growth rate applies to the value as it increases during the ramp period. |
| **Growth duration** | The period over which the growth rate applies. Set using a specific end date, a number of months, or until the end of the object's duration. This can't be set before the start month or after the end month of the object. |
| **Growth notes** | Optional notes documenting the basis for the growth assumption. |
The **Live Financial Summary** panel on the right updates in real time as you add or modify benefits and costs. Use the scenario selector to view how different assumptions affect the totals.
Click **Configure** to adjust the applied value percentage per scenario item, then **Apply** to save.
Click **Publish** to set the active scenario reflected across all overview and analysis pages.