Writing Effective Business Cases

Summary

Learn the steps to effective business case development and support your strategic business recommendations with sound budgeting and financial back-up. The one course you need to make high-impact recommendations and receive full management support for your ideas.

Students will be provided a deep exploration of how to perform pre-project activities necessary to develop a well-structured business case. The course begins by providing students an understanding of the business analyst’s role in pre-project activities. Techniques are provided to support the business analyst in analyzing the current state business environment, identifying the current business problem (or opportunity) and creating a ‘situation statement’ to communicate to decision makers why a change is required in the business. Students then explore how to go about determining a desired future state and identifying the needed changes and capabilities that will support the enterprise in achieving the business need. A thorough exploration of the business case is presented, including feasibility analysis and the various areas of a solution option the business analyst must explore in order to build a convincing business case. Students learn the components of a well-structured business case and walk away understanding how to logically present a business case and obtain buy-in. Techniques are also discussed to help prepare a business analyst for the challenges that often are presented when delivering business cases to management.

Note: This course is compliant with IIBA’s Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide) version 3 standard in business analysis and is aligned with and upholds the practices as discussed in PMI’s Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide.

Prerequisites

This course suitable for both novices and experienced people who need to develop and justify the business case. It is recommended that participants complete the BA01 – Business Analysis Essentials course prior to enrolling.

Duration

2 Days/Lecture & Lab

Audience

This course is intended for intermediate business and requirements analysts who are looking to improve their business case development and presentation skills. This course is also a great fit for project managers and product owners who work closely with business analysts or who perform some form of business case work themselves.

Topics

• Introduction
• Pre-Project Activities & the Business Analyst
• The Needs Assessment Process
• Determining the Required Capabilities & Defining Solution Scope
• Assessing Feasibility & Proposing Solution Options
• Packaging & Presenting the Business Case
• Course Wrap Up

Related Scheduled Courses