How to write an effective business case?

What are the aspects of an effective business case?
How do you present your case for someone to make an informed decision?
How do you demonstrate that it is the best course of action?

Overview

The writing an effective business case workshop is designed to provide an understanding of how to clearly document the justification for undertaking a project. The workshop will identify all aspects of a business case that should be considered, and how to structure them into a document that will clearly show all information required to make an informed decision. This will be based upon weighing up the estimated cost of implementing a project against the anticipated business benefits to be gained. The workshop will run through the process and techniques for writing a business case and provide you with a framework for you to apply in your business.

Workshop Outline

Before you start

• What is a Business Case
• Why you need a Business Case
• What will you need before you start
• The Business Case
• The reasons for change
• What options are to be considered
• What are the benefits for each option
  • Quantifying the benefit
  • Who will benefit
  • How will it be realised
  • How will it be measured
  • What dependencies, constraints and assumptions

• Working out the cost
• Planning what to do
• What are the risks
• Comparing the options
• Comparing with Doing Nothing
• Making a recommendation

Techniques, skills & styles

• Methods of capturing the information
• Documenting the business case, e.g. benefits mapping, investment appraisal, comparisons matrix
• Interviewing, meetings, workshops & communicating
• Traceability
• Quality controls

Workshop objectives

To provide the steps necessary to write a clear and well balanced business case
To provide all the information required for a clear business case and how to capture and document it
To provide a framework to use for future business cases

Who is this for?

For those with and without experience of writing business cases wishing to further develop their understanding of how to write an effective business case.
For business managers, project managers and project team members alike.

Improve your chances of of success. Write a business case that will succeed.