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This section of our business case template summarizes the approach for how the project will address the business problem. This section should also describe how desirable results will be achieved by moving forward with the project. Various options and alternatives were analyzed to determine the best way to leverage technology to improve the business processes and reduce the overhead costs within Smith Consulting. The approach described herein allows us to meet our corporate objectives of continuously improving efficiency, reducing costs, and capitalizing on technology.

The recommended WP Project will methodically migrate the data and functions of our current mainframe system to our new web-based platform in order to preserve data integrity and allow adequate time to train all employees and managers on their responsibilities and respective administrative functions. The web-based platform is compatible with all other current IT systems and will improve the efficiency and accuracy of reporting throughout the company. Some of the ways that this technology will achieve its desired results are:.

This section justifies why the recommended project should be implemented and why it was selected over other alternatives. Where applicable, quantitative support should be provided and the impact of not implementing the project should also be stated. The migration of payroll and other administrative functions from the legacy mainframe system to the web-based platform will result in greater efficiency with regards to company resources and business processes.

The WP Project is also aligned with corporate strategy and objectives since it uses technology to improve the way we do business. While other alternatives and the status quo were analyzed, the WP Project was selected for proposal in this business case because it provides the best opportunity to realize benefits in an expedited manner while also allowing for the greatest improvement in efficiency and cost reduction.

This section of the business case template describes the roles of the team members who developed the business case. It is imperative that participants and roles are clearly defined for the business case as well as throughout the life of the project. The following individuals comprise the business case analysis team. They are responsible for the analysis and creation of the WP Project business case. This section describes the business problem that this project was created to address.

This section should not include any discussion related to the solution. Since its inception, Smith Consulting has relied upon a mainframe system to manage payroll and other administrative employee functions. In the last two years Smith Consulting has hired 5 employees into overhead positions to help manage and run the day to day administration operations. Additionally, employees must currently call their regional managers to enter their work hours and raise any concerns regarding payroll and administrative tasks.

This places a large burden on managers who much balance these requirements with their day to day billable tasks. Reporting is another problem area associated with the legacy mainframe system. All weekly and monthly financial reports must be generated manually which allows for a high probability of error and require significant amounts of time.

These manual tasks further add to the burden and expense of the company. It should also explain any new roles which would be created or how existing roles may change as a result of the project. The following provides a high-level explanation of how the organization, tools, processes, and roles and responsibilities will be affected as a result of the WP Project implementation:.

Tools: the existing legacy administration platform will be phased out completely as the WP Project is stood up and becomes operational. This will require training employees on the WP tools and their use in support of other organizational tools. Processes: with the WP Project comes more efficient and streamlined administrative and payroll processes.

This improved efficiency will lessen the burden on managers and provide autonomy to employees in managing their administrative and payroll tasks and actions. Roles and Responsibilities: in addition to the WP Project allowing greater autonomy to employees and less burden on managers, the manpower required to appropriately staff human resources and payroll departments will be reduced.

Want your boss to give you the go-ahead for a new project? Need your banker to approve a loan for your new business? A business case is nothing more than a well-documented reasoning that people use to convince decision makers to approve or accept a certain situation. Choose from a variety of free or paid business case formats that will help you draft a top notch business case. You may like Case Study Templates. The business case may have a variety of inputs such as: market demands, organizational needs, customer requests, and legal requirements.

For example, a customer survey may become an input to a business case that seeks to determine whether a proprietary software application should be updated to new technology. A business case template is a tool that assists in the development of a well-considered business case. The business case is used as an assessment tool. Looking for a better solution? It contains a set of 86 editable project management templates. By the way, it includes an updated Business Case Template template.

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What Is a Business Case Template? Need More Templates? Who Creates the Business Case? What Are the Inputs? How Is It Used?

Free Download. Get Template. Make Work Easier. Although preparing a business case may seem like yet another document in a long chain of project management tasks, this front-loaded preparation is essential to the eventual success of any undertaking. When started before a project begins, a business case shows stakeholders — and even you — if the project is worth starting.

It can reveal problems that could potentially waste time and other resources without yielding benefits. Without business cases, you have no way to prioritize projects.

And, as the project progresses and ultimately concludes, you have no reference point for measuring achievement. Inputs for a business case include such things as regulatory and legal requirements, changes in the market, and customer demand. You can use a business case template as a guide so you remember to include all the necessary content. Poor preparation and a lack of senior management involvement often contribute to eventual project failure.

A good case study can help you avoid these pitfalls. Start by consulting key people, such as the finance department, to get accurate estimates and details of the current situation and an idea of what improvements would look like. In addition, remember to follow any pertinent company policies and procedures while preparing the business case and elaborating on the proposed project. Your business case is intended to provide sponsors, stakeholders, and investors with a clear picture of the outcomes and benefits of your project.

In general, a business case contains the following particulars about a project:. A sample business case template is available here for the management certification guidelines used in the UK, Australia, and other countries. The number of sections and detail of your business case will vary with the complexity and scope of your intended project.

Typical elements include most or all of the following:. You may also want to include signature blocks for approvers, a table with the sponsor name, the names of anyone providing support or expertise to the document, a table of contents hyperlinked to first- and second-level headings, an appendix for attached worksheets and other supporting documents, and a glossary of terms.

To title the document, follow the naming conventions of your organization and provide a version number, especially if the project is complicated and the business case is likely to go through revisions.

The project sponsor prepares the business case in cooperation with team members and subject matter experts from the applicable areas, such as IT or finance. Some companies may have dedicated project management offices. In that case, the project management office prepares the business case.

If an outside organization requests support, that entity prepares the business case. The project sponsor and interested parties review the business case.

Based on the business case, the project may be approved, rejected, altered, or postponed. A business case may seem to require a lot of information, but you can keep it simple if you keep a few things in mind:. Empower your people to go above and beyond with a flexible platform designed to match the needs of your team — and adapt as those needs change.