Business Case—« Lite » Version Template

Business Case Lite Version Template (Word, 367KB)

Project Name:

Branch:

National Project Management System
Business Projects-Information Technology-Enabled - Analysis Phase

Instructions

Purpose of this Document

This document is your template for producing a « Lite » version of the National Project Management System (NPMS) Business Projects-IT-Enabled Business Case. A business case is typically a presentation or a proposal to an authority by an organization seeking funding, approval, or both for an activity, initiative, or project.

Using this Template

Revision History

Authority Signatures

This section contains the signatures of key stakeholders, indicating that they agree with the presentation or proposal as it appears in the business case.

Edit the signature blocks to reflect the organizations involved; for approval authorities, refer to Annex A of the NPMS for Business Projects-IT-Enabled.

Full name:

 

Title:

Delivery Organization

Date:

 

Full name:

 

Title:

Business Case Owner

Date:

 

Full name:

 

Title:

 

Date:

 

Full name:

 

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On this page

1. The Strategic Context
   • 1.1 Organizational Overview
   • 1.2 Problem/Opportunity Statement
   • 1.3 Business Outcomes
   • 1.4 Prioritized Requirements
   • 1.5 Assumptions and Constraints
   • 1.6 Dependencies
   • 1.7 Scope Boundaries
2. Analysis and Recommendation
   • 2.1 Preliminary Options Analysis
     • 2.1.1 Evaluation Criteria
   • 2.2 Viable Options Analysis
     • 2.2.1 List and Describe the Possible Options
     • 2.2.2 Strategic Alignment
     • 2.2.3 Alignment with Desired Business Outcomes
     • 2.2.4 Costs
     • 2.2.5 Cost-Benefit Analysis
     • 2.2.6 Impact
     • 2.2.7 Risks
     • 2.2.8 Advantages and Disadvantages
     • 2.2.9 Scoring Summary Table
     • 2.2.10 The Preferred Option
   • 2.3 Managing the Project

• Appendix A—References
• Appendix B—Glossary

1. The Strategic Context

1.1 Organizational Overview

Provide a one paragraph organizational overview of the sponsoring department, agency, or organization, including its:

• mission
• strategic vision, goals, and service objectives
• current activities and services, including key stakeholders and clients
• existing capacity—financial and human resources

1.2 Problem/Opportunity Statement

Provide a clear articulation of the business need in the form of a well-structured statement that addresses the problem or opportunity. This statement should be no more than one or two sentences.

Identify the drivers that have triggered the investment proposal in two or three lines. Both internal and external drivers of change should be identified and clearly linked to the business need.

1.3 Business Outcomes

Describe in two or three lines the expected business outcomes (high-level benefits). A business outcome is the expected result or benefit that the organization is to achieve at the end of an intervention or change. To make a robust case for change, the business case should demonstrate how the proposed investment fits within the organization's broader strategic context and contributes toward its goals and objectives.

1.4 Prioritized Requirements

Specify the key requirements to address the business need. Keep to a level of detail that allows for their comparison against the options.

1.5 Assumptions and Constraints

List and describe the assumptions associated with the ability to address the key requirements—and the potential impact of those assumptions if they are not addressed. Assumptions are factors that, for planning purposes, are considered to be true, real, or certain.

List and describe the specific constraints. Constraints are factors that place limits or conditions on the investment. They can come from external or internal factors.

1.6 Dependencies

Identify any dependencies related to the overall business need, requirements, or a solution.

1.7 Scope Boundaries

Identify what is to be included within the scope of the investment and explicitly state what is excluded.

2. Analysis and Recommendation

2.1 Preliminary Options Analysis

2.1.1 Evaluation Criteria

Define the evaluation criteria used for screening and analyzing the options that will ultimately be used to determine an overall recommendation. Include a scoring protocol for the criteria. The protocol may include a weighting formula, if this is deemed appropriate.

2.2 Viable Options Analysis

2.2.1 List and Describe the Viable Options

Identify and describe the viable options that can address the business need. The list should demonstrate due diligence in exploring options.

In table format, assess each viable option against the seven criteria presented in the table below. There should be one table for each option.

2.2.2 Strategic Alignment

Describe how the viable option supports the organization's current business architecture and planned program results and strategic outcomes (if applicable).

2.2.3 Alignment with Desired Business Outcomes

Prepare an option outcome analysis and present a summary of the findings for each business outcome in section 1.3.

2.2.4 Costs

Provide a description of the costs. Projected costing estimates should be based on total cost of ownership, which includes ongoing costs over the course of the investment's lifecycle as well as potential compliance costs for stakeholder groups.

2.2.5 Cost-Benefit Analysis

Based on the costs established, describe how those costs are weighed against the benefits. Conduct the cost-benefit analysis for each option, taking into account costs, benefits, and risks. Refer to the TBS Business Case Guide for further instruction on conducting the cost benefit analysis.

2.2.6 Impact

Provide a high-level impact assessment from both internal and external perspectives.

2.2.7 Risks

In a separate table: identify the risks, conduct a risk assessment and provide a risk response for each option. Limit the identified risks to the top five.

The option risk summary table should include risk, probability, impact, response and contingency, outcome, tolerance, and a risk assessment summary rating.

In the viable option analysis table (2.2.1 above), insert the overall risk rating from the risk table below.

2.2.8 Advantages and Disadvantages

Determine whether the option's measurement against the aforementioned criteria is found to be either an advantage or a disadvantage (financial and non-financial).

2.2.9 Scoring Summary Table

2.2.10 The Preferred Option

2.2.10.1 Recommendation

Present the recommendation in a straightforward manner, clearly stating why the organization will benefit by focussing its investment on the preferred option.

2.2.10.2 Deciding Factors

Identify the deciding factors (financial and strategic) for selecting the preferred option.

2.2.10.3 Costs

Provide a cost estimate summary of the preferred option, linked with the work stream components.

2.2.10.4 Risk Acceptance

Illustrate why the identified risks are acceptable. Narrative may be included to contextualize the overall risk assessment, including impact, probability, outcomes, and so forth.

2.2.10.5 Implementation Plan

Identify the core work streams and associated milestones. Outline how the project will be implemented. Provide an implementation/strategic work plan demonstrating that the proposed investment has been thought through.

2.2.10.6 Contracting and Procurement

Provide information concerning the procurement vehicle, and precisely how it will be utilized.

2.2.10.7 Organizational Capacity

Describe the sponsoring organization's capability to manage the investment.

2.3 Managing the Project

This project will be conducted in accordance with the National Project Management System.

Insert a statement that this business case document will be accompanied by a project charter providing information for each of the following:

• Governance and Oversight
• Project Management Strategy
• Outcome Management
• Risk Management
• Change Management
• Performance Management

Appendix A—References

Appendix B—Glossary

Glossary - Define all terms and acronyms required to interpret the business case properly. Delete this page if a glossary is not required.

Date modified:

2019-11-06