Effective Business Cases

Effective Business Cases Course Details:

In this 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.

Oct 16 2023

October 16 - 19, 2023 | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM (EDT)

Date: 10/16/2023 - 10/19/2023 (Monday - Thursday) | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM (EDT)
Location: ONLINE (Virtual Classroom Live)
Delivery Format: VIRTUAL CLASSROOM LIVE Request Quote & Enroll

1. The Case for a Business Case

The Needs of Decision Makers
Business Cases

2. 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

3. It Starts with Business Objectives

The Role of Business Objectives
Types of Business Objectives
The Business Case Subject Statement

4. Comparing Alternatives: Costs

Answering Difficult Questions about Costs
The Cost Model
Cost Model Categories
Cost Assumptions

5. Comparing Alternatives: Benefits

Answering Difficult Questions about Benefits
The Benefits Model
Benefit Types
Steps for Computing Financial Benefits
Benefits Assumptions

6. Cash Flow and Financial Metrics

The Cash Flow Statement
Common Financial Metrics

7. Risk and Sensitivity Analysis

Risk Definition
Risk Analysis for the Business Case
Sensitivity Analysis

8. The Business Case Process

Business Case Process Overview
Prepare Phase
Methods Phase
Analysis Phase
Report Phase

9. The Business Case Document and Presentation

Business Case Reporting
Business Case Content
Executive Presentation

10. Follow-Up: What Happens After Project Selection

Business Case Re-Evaluation
Final Recommendations for Business Cases

*Please Note: Course Outline is subject to change without notice. Exact course outline will be provided at time of registration.

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

Exercise 1: Be an Executive for a Day

Exercise 2: Completing a Business Case

Exercise 3: Creating Business Objectives and the Business Case Subject Statement

Exercise 4: Developing a Cost Model

Exercise 5: Comparing Alternatives: Benefits

Exercise 6: Creating an Incremental Cash Flow Statement

Exercise 7: Calculating ROI, Cost/Benefit, and Payback Period

Exercise 8: Calculating the Net Present Value

Exercise 9: Calculating the Internal Rate of Return

Exercise 10: Analyzing Risks and Sensitivity

Exercise 11: Identifying the Business Case Team and Reference Group

Exercise 12: Identifying Business Case Presentation Requirements

Student Case Study

Instructor Case Study

Business analysts, project managers, anyone who establishes business cases, and anyone who provides business justification for projects.

Effective Business Cases