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Model Guideline #6
Show me a typical
guideline for -
A Project Business Case
Guideline Goals
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To provide a consistent format
for presenting a Business Case to justify funding for the
continuation of the project into its Phase 2
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To enable comparison of competing
projects, including the resources and funding required and their
relative priority class
Expectations - 1
Towards the end of
Phase 1 - Concept, a Business Case will be prepared.
The Business Case
should justify the project by including:
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A clear statement of the opportunity/need/problem to be
met/solved
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A statement demonstrating consistency with the organization's
corporate direction
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I.e. the Strategic Business Plan
Expectations - 2
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The quantifiable benefits to be derived
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Unquantifiable benefits
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Underlying assumptions
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That can be validated at any subsequent time in the project life
cycle
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Potential alternatives
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That could meet the same objectives
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Or, the effects of not doing the project at all
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A high level "Order of Magnitude" Cost Estimate
Expectations - 3
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Summary of corporate resources required
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Recommended priority
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Summary recommendation for the project
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I.e. the reasons why it should, or should not, proceed and at
what level
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The project's Key Success Indicators
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By which it will be managed and judged
Expectations - 4
The Business Case,
including the funding identified, must be approved before the project
proceeds into Phase 2 - Definition
Particulars - 1
The Business Case
format should be designed to standardize, familiarize and facilitate
comparison amongst competing projects or comparison with previous
projects
Particulars - 2
A Business Case
justification may fall into one of several categories:
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Short-term economic advantage
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E.g. immediate profitability, cost-effectiveness or satisfy
a "Window of Opportunity"
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Long-term advantage
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I.e. so-called "strategic positioning"
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Necessity to meet environmental, regulatory or safety
requirements
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Service replacement, upgrade, image renewal, etc.
Key Success Indicators (KSIs) - 1
KSIs are those project
management indicators that
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Are determined at the beginning of the project
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Are listed in order of priority
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Reflect directly on the key objectives of the project, and
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Provide the basis for project management trade-off decisions
during the course of the project
Key Success Indicators (KSIs) - 2
And KSIs that, after
completion of the project,
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Are most likely to result in acceptance of the project and its
product
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By the project's stakeholders
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As being successful
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In terms of 'customer' satisfaction
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And can be measured
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At some time, in some way, on some scale
Definitions and Responsibility
Definitions to be
included
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Strategic Business Plan, Business Case, Project Priority Class,
Key Success Indicators
Primary responsibility
Responsible to
