How to prepare a business case for investment

In effect, sensitivity analysis lets the project accountant experiment with possible scenarios. Business Case is a decision-making tool that helps to identify and measure the effects a particular decision will have on profitability and financial success. Are you certain this will solve the problem? Usually a business will already have implemented a project governance framework that will support the project through each stage.

Table of Contents

A business case provides justification for a proposed business change or plan, and typically outlines the allocation of capital and resources required to implement the proposed business case. A successfully presented business case can act as an impetus for moving forward with a new, alternative plan of action, or it may simply provide a consistent message, or unified vision for future business decisions and operations. A well-drafted business case will expose major or implementable solutions for conquering a business problem, issue or goal in order to provide decision makers with multiple options to choose. To write a business case, start with a straightforward explanation of the problem, issue, or goal. Next, list cqse most feasible options for resolution and explain in detail how these options will resolve the problem or issue.

Preparing for Business Change

When going through the application process for a graduate role at an investment bank, you will likely be faced with a case study interview. Investment banking roles are highly competitive and you must be properly prepared. This article, along with our comprehensive article on case study interviews , will ensure you know what’s coming and can prepare with confidence. Investment banking case studies are commonly used to assess how a job candidate would perform in a real situation, by presenting them with a theoretical scenario similar to those encountered working in the role. You will normally encounter case studies at the final stage of the application process, likely during an assessment centre or final-stage interview. If the case is likely to involve deep analysis, financial modelling or company valuations, you will likely be given the case in advance, to give you more time to work on it before the assessment day.

A 7-Step Approach

A business case provides justification for a proposed business change or plan, and typically outlines the allocation of capital and resources required to implement the proposed business case. A successfully presented business case can act as an impetus for moving forward with a new, alternative plan of action, or it may simply provide a consistent message, or unified vision for future business decisions and operations.

A well-drafted business case will expose major or implementable solutions for conquering a business problem, issue or goal in order to provide decision makers with multiple options to choose. To write a business case, start with a straightforward explanation of the problem, issue, or goal. Next, list the most feasible options for resolution and explain in detail how these options will resolve the problem or issue.

Indicate exactly what’s needed to implement each solution, such as budget increases and additional labor, and be sure to provide detailed timelines for successful implementation and completion! For tips on organizing and formatting your business case, read on! This article was co-authored by Michael R.

Michael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. Categories: Featured Articles Business Writing.

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Co-authored by Michael R. Lewis Updated: April 17, There are 6 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Identify and thoroughly understand a relevant business problem, issue or goal. Your first step in creating a successful business case is to clearly identify the business problem, issue or goal that your business case will address.

There should be an agreement about the scope between the person authorizing the business case and investmenh who will execute analysis.

Brainstorm about potential options for resolving the business case problem, issue or goal. Both during, and after your initial business case brainstorming session, you should discuss potential solutions and plans with key personnel and management. Identify multiple options for implementing your business case plan in order to determine the most feasible option for resolution. For example, if the business case plan revolves around entering a new market, invdstment should be a brainstorming session held in order to determine that different marketing strategies required to make the new market entry a success.

Once you have identified potential business problems, issues or goals, and potential options for resolution, you should briefly review your business’ mission statement. Consider whether your business case is in-line with the mission statement in terms of complying with and furthering business goals, objectives and philosophies. In most cases, you will be following the directions of a superior whose responsibility is bhsiness confirm compatibility between mission and the alternative solutions you provide.

Determine who should write the business case. Typically, one bjsiness two people take on the duty of writing a business case. With just one or two writers, the tone and style of the business case will remain consistent. The writer s should have knowledge and expertise regarding relevant business operations, and must be open to accepting input from other team members and business leaders. Write down the problem statement. This statement should provide a straightforward explanation of the identified business problem or issue, and discuss the business areas that the business case must address for successful implementation.

Create a proposed solutions statement. Express the projects and options proposed by the group as a solution to the business problem, goal or issue.

Include what should be accomplished by implementing the proposed business case plan. Indicate what is needed to implement the solution or project, including items like a monetary budget and increased labor numbers. Anything that is needed to complete this solution should be explained in the proposed solutions statement. Include information about meetings with surveyed departments and target audiences. Provide detailed timelines and time frames for successful project implementation and completion.

Provide ideal dates and worst-case scenarios for plan implementation, as well as a more general time frame for business case plan implementation and completion. Explain the potential consequences and losses that could result from the plan not being implemented.

Draft an executive summary. The executive summary is the first, and most important part of the business case. The executive summary will contain the major considerations that will be later discussed in more detail, including the timeline for business case implementation and completion, as well as the projected benefits and costs of business case implementation.

Edit your business case draft. After you have completed a first draft of your business case, your next step should be to carefully review your business case for any unnecessary language and grammatical errors. Make sure your business case is ibvestment in a manner that is easy to read and clearly displays each of the separate business case sections in underlined or bolded text. Present your business case to the personnel who will be instrumental in implementing the business case plan.

Get the agreement and feedback of those who will be responsible for implementation. Although, they are not usually the decision makers, the best way to ensure that your business case will be successful is by making sure that the personnel responsible for implementing the plan have the opportunity to review the business case and offer suggestions for changes and other feedback.

Present your business case to final authority. Your business case should be presented to the management professionals who are responsible for providing approval for new business strategies or plans.

Begin with the problem, issue or goal that your business case is addressing. From there talk about the resolution provided by your business case, as well as the different options, and steps that must pepare taking to bring about resolution. Brainstorm in advance about any potential concerns that management may have about implementing the business case plan. Make sure to address these concerns during your presentation, instead of waiting for prepae to raise their concerns.

Most businesses should have available guidelines on vase documents, such as business cases, should be composed and formatted. If there are no required formats, you can use any format you’d like. Yes No. Not Helpful 5 Helpful 2. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Already answered Not a question Bad question Other. Tips The business case must be interesting, concise and presented without industry businesx.

Data may be how to prepare a business case for investment using charts and graphs for visual appeal. The business case plan can be presented as a written report, or also in the form of a verbal presentation presented to management with the prepars of a powerpoint presentation.

Related wikiHows. Article Summary X To write a business case, start with a straightforward explanation of the problem, issue, or goal. Did this summary help you? Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.

Co-Authored By:. Co-authors: Updated: April 17, LA Luis Aponte Aug 29, I had minimal experience preparing a business case. Your article saved the day. It gave me the map I needed to prepare and present it with confidence. SP Shakila Pillay Jun Most of busiess books that I have read on PM are not very fase.

This article is written well enough for the layperson to invrstment. McFaul Sep 5, I found this great as it provided a breakdown of the task and guidelines of how to achieve our goal. DW Daniel Wallis Sep 11, AP Awais Patoli Oct 4, Thank you for.

PG Pradeep Gowda Oct 9, It helped me to write a business case for my assignment. PS Peter Sandstrom Jun 26, PS Pavithra Simon Mar 13,

How to Write a Business Case — Project Managment Training

Preparing for Business Change

Ask yourself: What could cause this project to fail and how do we mitigate those risks? Tags: business case invest steps technology. Risk Assessment The risk assessment summarises the significant risks and opportunities and how they are managed. When measuring Paybackyou must consider all business operations impacted by the new. Obviously business organizations want to get the best of their technology investments. Systems break. You must determine and assess these groups of risk for every IT solution proposed, and then create a comparison matrix in your business case that visualizes the findings. Proposing a new project or investment to your leadership team can be an intimidating process, but a well-researched, well-structured and well-thought-out business case will give you a leg to stand on. If your organisation does not use a structured project management process framework use this section to include:. Why are you starting a project? There is a wide range of options for video hosting, from Vidyard to Youtube to Wistiaso you need to be able to present a set of solutions for your decision-maker to choose. Use this section to answer the following questions:. Any ranges or quantitative predictions you include will ground the intangible benefits and make them that much more attractive to your business leader. The purpose of a financial appraisal is to: identify the financial implications for the project, allow comparison of project costs against the forecast benefits, ensure the project is affordable; ensure every cost associated with the project is considered, assess value for money, and predict cash flow. Since most problems have multiple solutions an option how to prepare a business case for investment is often needed. Created with Sketch. Business Case is a decision-making tool that helps to identify and measure the effects a particular decision will have on profitability and financial success.