A business case is a document that provides justification for undertaking a project, programme or portfolio. It evaluates the benefit, cost and risk of alternative options and provides a rationale for the preferred solution. The purpose of the business case is to communicate the value of the solution to the organization and help the decision-makers decide whether to approve the project or not. The business case should include the following elements:
Executive summary: A brief overview of the problem, opportunity, solution, benefits, costs, risks and recommendations.
Introduction: A description of the background, context, scope and objectives of the project.
Analysis: A detailed analysis of the current state, future state, gap, options, criteria, assumptions and constraints.
Evaluation: A comparison of the options based on the criteria, such as financial, strategic, operational, technical, social and environmental factors.
Recommendation: A clear statement of the preferred option and the reasons for choosing it over the others.
Implementation: A description of the implementation plan, including the schedule, resources, roles, responsibilities, governance, change management and risk management.
Appendices: Any supporting information, such as data, calculations, charts, diagrams, references, etc.
Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) Guide, Version 3, Chapter 3: Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring, Section 3.4: Plan Business Analysis Approach, Task 3.4.3: Define Business Analysis Process, Technique 3.4.3.1: Decision Analysis, p. 66-67.
What is business case? | APM
How to Write a Business Case: Template & Examples | Adobe Workfront
