Creating a Project Business Case, Step By Step

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To be a successful Project Manager you need to do more than just delivering projects on time and under budget. You need to deliver the business benefits expected by the customer from the project.
The purpose of a Business Case is to justify the project expenditure by identifying the business benefits you're going to deliver. Here's how to create a Business Case in 4 simple steps:

Step 1: Identification of the Business Problem
Projects are undertaken to solve a particular business problem or opportunity. So you need to investigate that business problem or opportunity and describe what it is, how it's come about and the timeframes in which it needs to be addressed.
Only with this knowledge, will you truly understand the purpose of the project and the timeframes for delivery. Without this knowledge, it's like building a house without a solid foundation.
Step 2: Identification of the Solutions
Now that you understand the business problem/opportunity in depth, it's time to identify a solution to address it. To ensure that you choose the right solution, take these steps:
  1. Identify the alternative solutions
  2. Quantify the benefits of implementing each solution
  3. Forecast the costs of implementing each solution
  4. Assess the feasibility of implementing each solution
  5. Identify the risks and issues associated with each solution
  6. Document all of this, in your Business Case
Step 3: Selection and Recommendation of a Preferred Solution
Before you rank the solutions, set out the criteria for ranking them and choose a scoring mechanism as well. For instance, you may decide to:
  • score each solution from 1-10, based on their costs and benefits
  • weight each based on criteria which are important to you
  • use a more complicated scoring mechanism
Then go ahead and score your solutions to identify the best solution. Make sure you document the entire process in your Business Case.
Step 4: Describe the Implementation Approach
By now, you have selected a solution and you have confirmed its benefits and costs. The next step is to convince your Project Sponsors that you have thought through the approach for implementing it. So document the steps you're going to take to build the solution for your client. Remember, only with a clearly defined Business Case will you ensure you deliver the business benefits expected by your customer.

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