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[email protected]What is a business case?What are 12 Agile principles?£699 +vat A business case is the justification for some activity (e.g. a project) undertaken by your organisation. It weighs up the timescales, costs and risks of doing the activity against the benefits to be gained. Think of it as weighing up the pros and cons and then taking a sensible decision. What is a business case? +44 (0)207 148 5985A business case forms an essential component of the curriculum of the
A business case is the justification for some activity (e.g. a project) undertaken by your organisation. It weighs up the timescales, costs and risks of doing the activity against the benefits to be gained. Think of it as weighing up the pros and cons and then taking a sensible decision.Coursesbest project management coursesWhat are sprints in Agile?A business case forms an essential component of the curriculum of the PROJECT MANAGEMENT. best project management coursesPRINCE2Personal business case
.®You may also use a business case to justify an investment you make in your personal life. For example, when you’re thinking of moving home to another area. You and your spouse will need to understand the costs of moving, the timescales and risks involved, and weigh these up against the benefits to be gained e.g. saving time traveling to your office, or your children able to go to a better school.What are the 4 Agile values?Personal business caseFoundation Why have a business case? You may also use a business case to justify an investment you make in your personal life. For example, when you’re thinking of moving home to another area. You and your spouse will need to understand the costs of moving, the timescales and risks involved, and weigh these up against the benefits to be gained e.g. saving time traveling to your office, or your children able to go to a better school.Learn the fundamentals of the PRINCE2 method.Projects should not just start on a whim or because of vanity – although a lot of money has been wasted over the years on such
Why have a business case?Practitioner projectsWhat are the advantages and disadvantages of DSDM?Projects should not just start on a whim or because of vanity – although a lot of money has been wasted over the years on such Includes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.. projectsAssociation for Project Management (APM)For business organisations, justification for a project usually takes a commercial form i.e. evaluating how much money could be made from the investment. For example, investing money in developing a new software app to bring first to market, might be deemed to bring certain monetary benefits (in terms of sales) which exceeds the costs of investment.
.Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) For government organisations, justification is probably not a commercial one, but could be based upon giving value for money to achieve certain benefits. For example, a public health campaign extolling the benefits of flu-vaccinations for elderly people, might be judged as giving greater value for money than having no campaign, and instead relying on treating patients in hospital once they have contracted the virus.What are the disadvantages of DSDM?For business organisations, justification for a project usually takes a commercial form i.e. evaluating how much money could be made from the investment. For example, investing money in developing a new software app to bring first to market, might be deemed to bring certain monetary benefits (in terms of sales) which exceeds the costs of investment.Start your APM project management career.With so many competing claims being made on scarce funds, organisations need the assurance that the decision they are taking is the right one. After all, there will not be enough funds to pay for all the ideas for projects which are floating around the organisation. Project Management Qualification (PMQ) For government organisations, justification is probably not a commercial one, but could be based upon giving value for money to achieve certain benefits. For example, a public health campaign extolling the benefits of flu-vaccinations for elderly people, might be judged as giving greater value for money than having no campaign, and instead relying on treating patients in hospital once they have contracted the virus.Who uses a business case?
Advance your APM project management expertise.With so many competing claims being made on scarce funds, organisations need the assurance that the decision they are taking is the right one. After all, there will not be enough funds to pay for all the ideas for projects which are floating around the organisation.Business cases can be used by many different levels of management within an organisation. Not only are they used to justify the investment in an individual project, but also they are typically used by a What are the strengths of DSDM?Project Risk Single Certificate Level 1 Who uses a business case?portfolio management Enhance your project risk management skills.Business cases can be used by many different levels of management within an organisation. Not only are they used to justify the investment in an individual project, but also they are typically used by a office to help it decide which projects will contribute to the organisation’s strategic goals. That way, they can filter out the bad ideas for projects, and only fund projects which will contribute to strategic goals.
AgilePMportfolio managementA business case is also often used by a project sponsor or project executive to help it decide if they should invest in a specific project.What are the three key roles in Agile?® office to help it decide which projects will contribute to the organisation’s strategic goals. That way, they can filter out the bad ideas for projects, and only fund projects which will contribute to strategic goals.In all cases, the business case must be written and approved prior to any major commitment of resources. – Agile Project ManagementA business case is also often used by a project sponsor or project executive to help it decide if they should invest in a specific project.What form does a business case take?
Foundation In all cases, the business case must be written and approved prior to any major commitment of resources.Business cases can take many forms – digital or analogue. The tools you use to create one are also many and varied. Common business tools such as Microsoft Office might be used. Rather than being a document or slide deck however, it could equally be in the form of an email.What do we mean by Agile?Learn the key principles of Agile Project Management.What form does a business case take?Equally, a business case could be written by hand on a whiteboard or flipchart, or on the back of a cigarette packet! Practitioner Business cases can take many forms – digital or analogue. The tools you use to create one are also many and varied. Common business tools such as Microsoft Office might be used. Rather than being a document or slide deck however, it could equally be in the form of an email.What you should always remember is that a business case does not have to be a huge long document. In fact, it should be as short as possible, and only include the most important information. That way it cuts out the noise and provides decision-makers with just the right information to enable them to take sensible decisions.
Includes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.Equally, a business case could be written by hand on a whiteboard or flipchart, or on the back of a cigarette packet!For those of you interested in What does Agile mean in one word?PRINCE2What you should always remember is that a business case does not have to be a huge long document. In fact, it should be as short as possible, and only include the most important information. That way it cuts out the noise and provides decision-makers with just the right information to enable them to take sensible decisions.project management ®For those of you interested in , the project management methodology known as
Agileproject managementPRINCE2What is Agile in one sentence?Foundation , the project management methodology known as focuses its decision-making on a project on having a viable business case. Learn the fundamentals of the PRINCE2 Agile method.PRINCE2Business case examples
Practitioner focuses its decision-making on a project on having a viable business case.We will now give you 2 business case examples. The first example is one which you might find useful for taking decisions in your personal life. The 2nd business case example is more business focused project.What is Agile in simple terms?Includes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.Business case examplesBusiness case example 1: Moving home AI Project Governance Framework (AIPGF)We will now give you 2 business case examples. The first example is one which you might find useful for taking decisions in your personal life. The 2nd business case example is more business focused project.Suppose you and your spouse are considering moving to a new home. You will need to weigh up the pros and cons of moving. This is done using a business case. You might not call it that, but that’s what it is. Let’s look at an example.
Foundation Business case example 1: Moving homeReasonWhat is Agile mentality?Learn the fundamentals of the governance framework.Suppose you and your spouse are considering moving to a new home. You will need to weigh up the pros and cons of moving. This is done using a business case. You might not call it that, but that’s what it is. Let’s look at an example.As you can see from the example, the first thing to be clear about in a business case is the reason for doing the project or activity. In this example, the couple has answered the question Practitioner ReasonWhy?
Includes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.As you can see from the example, the first thing to be clear about in a business case is the reason for doing the project or activity. In this example, the couple has answered the question In fact, there are two problems here – the local school and John’s long commute.What is Agile vs Scrum?Better Business CasesWhy?Options considered ™ In fact, there are two problems here – the local school and John’s long commute.A business case should weigh up the competing options which have been considered. After all, there is usually more than one option. Perhaps an alternative option would have been for John to change his job to one nearer their current house. However, this wouldn’t solve the issue with the school.
Foundation Options consideredBenefitsWhat is Agile vs waterfall?Learn the fundamentals of Better Business cases.A business case should weigh up the competing options which have been considered. After all, there is usually more than one option. Perhaps an alternative option would have been for John to change his job to one nearer their current house. However, this wouldn’t solve the issue with the school.The benefits of a project or activity are the positive things you’re going to get back in return for your investment of time and money. In this case, the kids will get a better education, and John will save time each day. Practitioner BenefitsTimescales
Includes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.The benefits of a project or activity are the positive things you’re going to get back in return for your investment of time and money. In this case, the kids will get a better education, and John will save time each day.It’s also important to understand how long the investment of resources will take. This is so that the organisation (or family in this case) knows when the resources will be freed up to work on other What is an Agile way of working?P3OTimescalesprojects ®It’s also important to understand how long the investment of resources will take. This is so that the organisation (or family in this case) knows when the resources will be freed up to work on other or activities.
Foundation projectsThere are usually 2 timescales to consider. First, the timescale of the project or activity – in this case 3 months to find a new house and move there. Second, the time over which the benefits shall be realized. In this case it’s 5 years until the kids leave school.What is an example of Agile thinking?Learn the fundamentals of the P3O project management office. or activities.Costs Practitioner There are usually 2 timescales to consider. First, the timescale of the project or activity – in this case 3 months to find a new house and move there. Second, the time over which the benefits shall be realized. In this case it’s 5 years until the kids leave school.The costs of doing the project or activity is the next important bit of information. On this project, the costs of moving to a new house will be £5,000. These are the project costs.
Includes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.CostsHowever, the couple will spend an additional £2,000/year for every year over which the business case is calculated. For a project in an organisation, this is usually referred to as the operational costs of maintaining and operating the projects outputs e.g. an IT system. At this point, the couple knows the total costs over the timescales when the benefits shall be realized.What is Dynamic System Development Model?WorkshopsThe costs of doing the project or activity is the next important bit of information. On this project, the costs of moving to a new house will be £5,000. These are the project costs.Risks Introduction to Project Management However, the couple will spend an additional £2,000/year for every year over which the business case is calculated. For a project in an organisation, this is usually referred to as the operational costs of maintaining and operating the projects outputs e.g. an IT system. At this point, the couple knows the total costs over the timescales when the benefits shall be realized.For any activity or project, it’s also important to understand the major risks involved. Risks are the uncertain things which may or may not happen during the period of the investment. There is only one risk identified here, which is the risk that the couple might lose touch with friends who live close to them right now.
1-day workshop to learn the basics of project management.RisksInvestment appraisalWhat is Kanban in Agile?Project Management Essentials For any activity or project, it’s also important to understand the major risks involved. Risks are the uncertain things which may or may not happen during the period of the investment. There is only one risk identified here, which is the risk that the couple might lose touch with friends who live close to them right now.The next section is where the costs and timescales and risks are weighed up. For this project, it’s a simple decision for the couple to decide if it’s worth spending money over the next 5 years to give their kids better schooling and to save John 2 hours a day commuting. 2-day workshop to learn how to manage projects without getting certified.Investment appraisalFor an organisation to decide if an investment is worthwhile, however, there are several different ways in which it can decide about the investment.
Writing Business Cases The next section is where the costs and timescales and risks are weighed up. For this project, it’s a simple decision for the couple to decide if it’s worth spending money over the next 5 years to give their kids better schooling and to save John 2 hours a day commuting.Often in organisations there are rules defined to help business analysts or What is Lean thinking in Agile?Half-day workshop to learn to write robust business cases.For an organisation to decide if an investment is worthwhile, however, there are several different ways in which it can decide about the investment.project managers AI in Project Management Often in organisations there are rules defined to help business analysts or write what’s called an investment appraisal. In the next example, we’ll look at one example known as net benefits.
project managersLearn how to use AI tools in everyday project work.Business case example 2: Handheld device projectWhat is Scrum vs Agile Manifesto? write what’s called an investment appraisal. In the next example, we’ll look at one example known as net benefits.ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)Imagine a heating repair services company that uses a paper-based set of forms filled in by an engineer during site visits. The spare parts required to fix the heater are recorded on a form which is given to staff to process back in the office. They then order the parts, and schedule a follow-up visit for the engineer to fix the heater. Business case example 2: Handheld device projectBCS AIEnhance your skills with our expert-led courses
Imagine a heating repair services company that uses a paper-based set of forms filled in by an engineer during site visits. The spare parts required to fix the heater are recorded on a form which is given to staff to process back in the office. They then order the parts, and schedule a follow-up visit for the engineer to fix the heater.Foundation What is Scrum vs Agile?Enhance your skills with our expert-led coursesLearn the fundamentals of artificial intellegence. AI Project Governance Framework (AIPGF)
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Includes Foundation & Practitioner combined option.£699 +vatLet’s now look at this example business case.ScrumExecutive summaryScrum Essentials
This sample business case contains an executive summary. This section briefly describes the selected option and the key benefits it will bring.Self-paced training course to learn the essentials of Scrum.ReasonsScrum Master The reasons for the project are clearly spelled out when describing the 3 current problems which the company faces.Choose Scrum Alliance or Scrum.org Scrum Master training courses.
OptionsScrum Product Owner In this example, there are 2 options (other than do nothing) which have been examined. Each option is summarized and the reason why option 3 is the preferred option has been stated.Choose Scrum Alliance or Scrum.org Product Owner training courses.BenefitsAgileBA
The expected benefits of reduced overheads are clearly stated. Benefits should be measurable and quantifiable. That means that the benefits can be measured later. But what about the reduced errors, rescheduled appointments and customer contract cancellations? Aren’t they benefits?®Well, these are in fact something else – they’re called outcomes. Outcomes are the results of the changes which come about by using the new handheld devices. The ways you measure the improvements resulting from these outcomes are known as benefits. – Agile Business AnalysisDis-benefitsFoundation
This example also contains a dis-benefit which is that the back-office staff morale will be lower due to reduced overtime payments. A dis-benefit, if you’re wondering, is a negative consequence of a project. It’s not the same as a risk which implies something uncertain. A dis-benefit is something which you know will happen because of the project and it has negative consequences for the organisation. It’s the opposite of a benefit!Learn the fundamentals of Agile Business Analysis.TimescalesPractitioner Just as we saw in the previous example, the business case contains 2 timescales – the project timescales (i.e. the time it will take to complete the project) and the benefits realization timescales (i.e. the time over which benefits are expected to be realized).4-day course including Foundation.
RisksSelf-paced training course to gain LSS Yellow Belt.Investment appraisal®The project lasts 1 year which is why the project costs are zero after year 1. Of course, the benefits won’t be realized until the solution is in place and the company starts to use the handheld devices.Self-paced course to prepare you for the exam (exam not included).

The net benefits are simply the total benefits minus the total costs. This shows that the company will start to get a return on its investment sometime towards the end of year 2. This knowledge is vital if the decision-makers are to take a sensible decision about whether to invest in the project.Kanban

Business case templateEstimating for Agile Foundation
It helps an organisation be clear about why a project is needed, and what the results of the investment will be. This is crucial because no organisation has unlimited funds to spend on an unlimited number of projects. Therefore, a business case gives confidence to senior managers when deciding to invest in one project rather than another.Modelling Business Processes What is Agile?
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Who approves a business case?Usually on a project, the project sponsor (the person or people who are committing the funds) will approve a business case. Before approving it, they need to have confidence that the problems have been addressed and the right solution has been selected, that the benefits are achievable and realistic, when the investment will pay off, and how big will the return on investment be.
What makes a good business case?
As you have seen in this article, there’s several important bits of information which goes into a business case. Don’t spend unnecessary time though adding information which isn’t required. Your project sponsor will have to read your business case before they approve it, and you don’t want to make their job any harder than it already is!
There are several things you can use to check whether your business case is adequate or not. Here’s a checklist of 13 questions to ask yourself before you submit your business case to your sponsor for approval:Are the reasons for the project consistent with the corporate, portfolio
or
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The purpose of a business case is simple – it’s used to justify an investment in an activity. Typically, in an organisation this activity is a project. It helps give confidence to management that their investment is worthwhile and will realize benefits for the organisation.Who owns a business case?
A business case is owned by the person who is funding the project. The name of this role is different across organisations, but commonly this role is known as a project sponsor, or project executive.
By owning the business case, it means this person is accountable for ensuring that any investment decisions which are taken based upon the information within the business case are worthwhile.
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Benefits of Agile methodologies
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