In this 4-day course, you’ll learn the most common disciplines and methodologies used to create and present a business case with clear, concise, and fact-based arguments that highlight project benefits, costs, and risks to win approval for projects. You’ll learn the underlying structure and content of a business case as well as the role your audience plays in the development of it. Further, you’ll learn basic techniques for determining financial ROI, non-tangible benefits, and the probability of meeting expectations.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
- Key elements of a business case document and presentation
- How to justify the investment to solve a business problem in a clear, concise, fact-based manner
- Basic financial metrics used within a business case, including feasibility studies and ROI analyses
- Ways to improve the odds of project approval
- Steps to prove your recommendation is “best”
- A step-by-step development process to create a business case
COURSE OUTLINE
- THE CASE FOR A BUSINESS CASE
- The Needs of Decision Makers
- Business Cases
- BUSINESS CASE FOUNDATIONS
- Business Case Requirements
- Competition for Resources
- Business Case Roles and Responsibilities
- Business Case Content
- The Business Case and Project Portfolio Management
- The Business Case and the Product Life Cycle
- Business Case Process Overview
- IT STARTS WITH BUSINESS OBJECTIVES
- The Role of Business Objectives
- Types of Business Objectives
- The Business Case Subject Statement
- COMPARING ALTERNATIVES: COSTS
- Answering Difficult Questions about Costs
- The Cost Model
- Cost Model Categories
- Cost Assumptions
- COMPARING ALTERNATIVES: BENEFITS
- Answering Difficult Questions about Benefits
- The Benefits Model
- Benefit Types
- Steps for Computing Financial Benefits
- Benefits Assumptions
- CASH FLOW AND FINANCIAL METRICS
- The Cash Flow Statement
- Common Financial Metrics
- RISK AND SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
- Risk Definition
- Risk Analysis for the Business Case
- Sensitivity Analysis
- THE BUSINESS CASE PROCES
- Business Case Process Overview
- Prepare Phase
- Methods Phase
- Analysis Phase
- Report Phase
- THE BUSINESS CASE DOCUMENT AND PRESENTATION
- Business Case Reporting
- Business Case Content
- Executive Presentation
- Follow-Up: What Happens After Project Selection
- Business Case Re-Evaluation
- Final Recommendations for Business Cases