Bulletproof Business Cases
Bulletproof business cases contain feasible and effective ways of justifying and recommending projects that squarely address business needs, both problems and opportunities.
Learning Objectives
- • Learn a practical and repeatable process for developing solid business cases.
• Guide your organization to solve the right problems and address the right business needs.
• Help prevent unwarranted and potentially wasteful projects from getting initiated.
• Function as a trusted advisor to your business.
• The small-class environment, practical exercises, and a realistic case study keep you engaged and aid in your retention and learning.
Who should attend
Project professionals who are asked to create business cases for their organization. This could be business analysts, project managers, process analysts, or business staff.
Prerequisites
Experience working on projects. Individuals who have experienced problems from projects initiated without a business case may advance quicker at first.
Format, Material and Duration
To help assimilate the tools and techniques learned, there is a mixture of various kinds of exercises throughout the course. A lively role play and case study help reinforce concepts learned. Students will need to be prepared for a high level of participation. Each participant will receive a comprehensive student guide complete with examples and workshop solutions.
Duration:
In-person class room: 2 full days
Instructor-led virtual: 4 half days
Both our Traditional and Virtual classes use the same materials.
• Comprehensive study guide with PowerPoint slides and detailed notes to serve as both an in-class guide and on-the-job reference.
• Example case study running throughout the course.
• A second workshop case study designed to give practice in applying business case skills.
• Workshop solutions that serve as an example business case.
• Comprehensive business case template to use on the job to jump-start your real-life business cases.
• Class discussions and exercises to reinforce the information presented.
Course Outline
- Purpose, Content, and Roles for Business Cases
Business case overview
Roles Involved in business cases
SARIE framework for business cases
Exercise
Define the Business Need: Understanding the Situation
Determining the right problem to solve or opportunity to seize
Crafting a solid situation statement in business terms
Exercise
Case Study Workshop
Analyzing the Business Need
How analysis avoids “jumping to solutions”
Three key techniques for getting to the root cause
Case Study Workshop
Making Sound Recommendations
Developing recommendations based on needs and causes
Case Study Workshop
Five critical methods to ensure recommendations are thorough and complete
Two Decision analysis techniques to adjust recommendations to the criteria of importance to decision-makers and ensure the business case supports business objectives
Case Study Workshop
Performing Cost-Benefit Analysis to Cost-Justify a Recommendation
Exercise
Benefit types and tips for citing them
Cost types and tips for identifying them
Four essential and industry-standard financial valuation techniques: Payback period, ROI, Internal Rate of Return, and Net Present Value
Exercise
Case Study Workshop
Planning Implementation and Evaluation of a Business Case
High-level implementation considerations, including dependencies, milestones, change management, and overcoming obstacles
Plan evaluation criteria
Packaging and presenting a business case, focusing on audience communication preferences
Case Study Workshop
Certification and Exam
Certification:
You will receive a certificate of participation.
Exam
None
