4. A Business Case is...
“An assessment of the costs
and benefits associated with
a proposed initiative”
The Business Analysis Body of Knowledge®
Flickr:“Dictionary”bysAeroZar,
5. Purpose
Justify the project in terms of the value added to
the business:
[1] The Business Analysis Body of Knowledge®
1. as a result of the deployed
solution
2. as compared to the cost
to develop and operate
the solution[1]
Flickr:“Money!“byHansSplinter
6. Purpose also may[1]
Include
qualitative and quantitative benefits
estimates of cost and time
Present
expected cash flow consequences
of the action over time
the used methods for quantifying
benefits and costs.
[1] The Business Analysis Body of Knowledge®
Flickr: “Dictionary: time“ by Cat
7. It must be...
1. clear
2. accurate
3. realistic
4. credible
5. objective
6. tailored on the investor
goals
Photo by Flickr
8. And also it has to...
1. Respect the requirements
2. Quantify the value of
investment in term of cost
and benefits
3. Target the right goals
Photo by Flickr
9. Part 2
The journey to
develop a
Business Case
Flickr: “Pen and Ink” by Heather,
10. 4 stages of Knowledge
Understand the process and objectives
Gather the inputs
Do the
analysis
Tell the
story
Photo by Flickr
11. Understand the objectives
To transform the idea into a BC
formal document you need to
1. Find the executive
sponsor
2. Clarify what has to be
done
3. Make a plan
Flickr:“”Golflandstart”byToddDailey
12. Objectives follow people
Identify Stakeholders
Give them the right importance
with the RACI Matrix
Responsible
Accountable
Consulted
Informed
PhotobyFlickr
13. Set the value of objectives
Identify Objectives of
stakeholders
Organize them by
1. the importance of
stakeholders
2. their impact on your business
Find the right balance
PhotobyFlickr
14. Gather the inputs
Collect what you know
Assume what you can’t
collect
Keep it:
realistic
credible
objective
PhotobyFlickr
15. Involve People
Stakeholders helps to
gather data and
validate assumptions
Data and assumptions
come
from experts across the
company or
independent research
16. Do the analysis
1. Study the gathered
inputs to build a detailed
model of
1. your product
2. your development project
2. Model various scenarios
3. Calculate the project
value in term of
1. costs, income, profits and
payback
PhotobyFlickr
17. And finally... Tell the story
Keep it:
1. Clear
2. Objective
3. Believable
4. Tailored on
preferences and
targets of people who
judge it
Photo by Flickr
19. What is it?
A method written by the Treasury
Board of Canada
“to support the development of a
strong business case that links
investments with program results
and, ultimately, with the strategic
outcomes of the organization”
PhotobyFlickr
21. Structure
Phase 1
Strategic Context
• Step 1 Business Needs and Desired Outcomes
Phase 2
Analysis and
Recommendation
• Step 2 Preliminary Options Analysis
• Step 3 Viable Options
• Step 4 Justification and Recommendation
Phase 3
Management and
Capacity
• Step 5 Managing the Investment
22. Phase 1: Strategic Context
Establish the case for
change
Clearly define the need for
the investment
PhotobyFlickr
23. Step 1- Business Needs and Desired Outcomes
Focus on:
Strategic Environment
Strategic Fit
Description of the
Business Need
Scope
Phase 1
Strategic Context
• Step 1 Business Needs and Desired Outcomes
Phase 2
Analysis and
Recommendation
• Step 2 Preliminary Options Analysis
• Step 3 Viable Options
• Step 4 Justification and Recommendation
Phase 3
Management and
Capacity
• Step 5 Managing the Investment
24. Phase 2: Analysis and Recommendation
It’s the heart of the business case
Provide answers to the following key
questions :
1. How will we get there?
a) viable options
b) associated costs and benefits
2. What is the best option?
a) financial appraisal to ascertain
funding
b) affordability
c) cost balancing in relation to
benefits and risks.
PhotobyFlickr
25. Phase 2: Steps
Step 2 - the Preliminary Options Analysis: the Evaluation Criteria, a List of Possible
Options, the Screening of Options, and the Rationale for Discounted and Viable
Options.
Step 3 - the Viable Options: Alignment, Costs, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Implementation
and Capacity, Risk, Benchmark, Policy and Standard Considerations and, lastly,
Advantages and Disadvantages.
Step 4 - the Justification and Recommendation: Comparison Summary of the options,
and identification of the Preferred Option.
Phase 1
Strategic Context
• Step 1 Business Needs and Desired Outcomes
Phase 2
Analysis and
Recommendation
• Step 2 Preliminary Options Analysis
• Step 3 Viable Options
• Step 4 Justification and Recommendation
Phase 3
Management and
Capacity
• Step 5 Managing the Investment
26. Phase 3: Management and Capacity
Demonstrate the investment will be
managed effectively:
1. Assuring that all the appropriate
project and outcome management
strategies are in place
2. Showing how those strategies will be
used to guide the project through a
controlled environment to achieve
the desired business outcomes.
Photo by Flickr
27. Step 5 - Managing the Investment
Provide consideration to
Governance and
Oversight
Project Management
Strategy
Outcome Management
Strategy
Risk Management
Strategy
Change Management
Strategy
Performance
Measurement Strategy
Phase 1
Strategic Context
• Step 1 Business Needs and Desired Outcomes
Phase 2
Analysis and
Recommendation
• Step 2 Preliminary Options Analysis
• Step 3 Viable Options
• Step 4 Justification and Recommendation
Phase 3
Management and
Capacity
• Step 5 Managing the Investment