According to the PMBOK® Guide and the PMI Guide to Business Analysis, the Business Case is a high-level economic feasibility study used to establish the validity of the benefits of a selected component. It is created before the project is formally initiated.
Business Goals and Objectives (Option D): These are the fundamental " why " of the project. A business case must align the proposed project with the organization ' s strategic goals. Without clear objectives (e.g., increasing market share by 10% or reducing operational costs), the business case cannot justify the investment.
Product Roadmap (Option B): In modern project management, especially in environments utilizing adaptive or hybrid elements, the Product Roadmap provides the necessary context for the business case. It outlines the high-level vision and the evolution of the product over time. This helps stakeholders understand the long-term value and the sequence of benefits delivery, which is essential for determining the project ' s ROI (Return on Investment).
Pre-Project Nature: The Business Case serves as the basis for the Project Charter. It documents the business need and the cost-benefit analysis to justify the authorization of the project.
Analysis of other options:
Option A: The Project Management Plan is a detailed document created during the Planning phase after the project has been initiated and the business case has been approved.
Option C: The Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) is a tool used during the Collect Requirements and Scope Management processes to link requirements to their origin and deliverables. It does not exist at the business case stage.
Option E: The Risk Register is a formal document created during the Identify Risks process once the project is underway. While a business case may mention " high-level risks, " the formal Risk Register is a project-level artifact.
Per PMI standards, to justify a project investment, the Business Case must primarily be built upon the Business Goals and Objectives it intends to meet and the Product Roadmap that illustrates the strategic path to achieving them.
