Resources & Tools – Page 10

Download this free Business Case template and use it for your new project. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the download link. 1 Executive Summary For a standard Business Case, complete this section after completing all other sections. 1.1 Issue Briefly describe the business issue that the recommended project would solve without describing how the problem will be addressed. Include a brief statement of any mandates that require processes and/or services not currently in place. 1.2 Anticipated Outcomes Describe the anticipated outcomes of implementing a project that specifically addresses the business issue. The description should include answers to questions such as “What are we aiming for?” and “What are the expected benefits to business operations?” 1.3 Recommendation Describe the project that is being recommended to achieve the anticipated business outcomes by summarizing the approach for how the project will address the business issue. Identify the stakeholders/customers involved in determining whether the desired results are achievable by implementing the project. 1.4 Justification Justify why the recommended project should be implemented and the rationale for why the project was selected above the other alternative solutions. Provide a compelling argument by summarizing key quantitative and qualitative information from the Project Evaluation section, including a description of the impact of not implementing the project. Determine and include analysis information that is necessary to provide a clear justification for the project. The type and extent of information included in the justification will vary based on the best approach for making a compelling and accurate argument. 1.5 Assumptions List and describe any assumptions relevant to the project that is being recommended to achieve the anticipated business outcomes. 1.6 Limitations List and describe any limiting factors, or constraints, relevant to the project that is being recommended to achieve the anticipated business outcomes. 2 Governance and Business Case Analysis Team 2.1 Governance Describe the IT governance processes and structures within COMPANYNAME 2.2 Business Case Analysis Team Members Describe the roles on the business case analysis team. Provide the names and titles of Institution staff that will fulfill them. RoleDescriptionName/Title Table 1: Business case analysis team members 3 Problem Definition 3.1 Problem Statement Describe the problem the project would address, including any problems related to technology, processes and/or services, without presupposing a solution. 3.2 Institution and Constituent Environment Identify and briefly describe the relation of each stakeholder/customer to the project. Stakeholders/CustomersDescription Table 2: Stakeholder/Customer relationship Describe the processes and/or services that would be modified or automated by the project. Include processes and/or services for agencies and constituents (citizens, employers, other agencies). Processes/ServicesDescription of Modifications/Automation Table 3: Processes/Services 3.3 Current Technology Environment 3.3.1 Current Software Describe COMPANYNAME’s existing software that will be modified or replaced by the proposed project. Software ItemsDescription Table 4: COMPANYNAME’s existing software items 3.3.2 Current Hardware Describe COMPANYNAME. existing hardware that will be modified or replaced by the proposed project. Hardware ItemsDescription Table 5: COMPANYNAME’s existing hardware items 4 Project Overview 4.1 Project Description Describe the approach the project will use to address the business problem. Include the project sequence number for the project from the Information Technology Detail (ITD). Description of ProjectITD Project Sequence Number: Table 6: Approach to address the business problem 4.2 Goals and Objectives Describe the business goals and objectives of the project. Ensure the goals and objectives support business needs. Business Goal/ObjectiveDescription Table 7: Business goals and objectives 4.3 Performance Measures Describe performance measures that will be used to gauge the project’s business outcomes for key processes and services. Key Process/ServicesPerformance Measure Table 8: Performance measures 4.4 Assumptions List the assumptions regarding COMPANYNAME processes and/or services affected by the proposed project. 4.5 Constraints List the limitations or constraints regarding COMPANYNAME processes and/or services affected by the proposed project. 4.6 Proposed Technology Environment 4.6.1 Proposed Software Describe software for the project, including technical factors that may be critical to project selection if applicable. Software ItemDescription Table 9: Software item 4.6.2 Proposed Hardware Describe the hardware for the project, including technical factors that may be critical to project selection if applicable. Hardware ItemDescription Table 10: Hardware item 4.7 Major Project Milestone Describe the project’s preliminary major milestones, deliverables, and target dates. Milestones/Deliverables Target Date Table 11: Project milestone 5 Project Evaluation The Business Case Workbook is completed as part of this section. Once completed, the Business Case Workbook evaluation factors are summarized in this section. 5.1 Statutory Fulfillment Describe the direct and derived mandate(s) related to the project and cite reference(s) for federal and state statutes, rules, and regulatory requirements. Describe any penalties or funding losses. Mandates Related to ProjectStatutory CitationsPenalties/Funding Losses Table 12: Mandates related to project 5.2 Strategic Alignment Identify titles of strategic plans the project addresses, including the State Strategic Plan for Information Resources Management, COMPANYNAME strategic plan, and any other applicable plans. Cite the specific goals and objectives in each plan that are related to the project. Describe the relationship of the project to each of the plans based on how the project aligns and meets the goals and objectives cited in the strategic plans. PlanGoals/ObjectivesRelationship to Project Table 13: Strategic plan 5.3 COMPANYNAME Impact Analysis Summarize how the project would impact the use of technology resources at the Institution level, including support of the defined architecture and standards for the Institution and state. 5.4 Financial Analysis Using the level of detail illustrated in the instructions, describe methods used to calculate project cost and quantitative project benefit estimates. Describe estimate factors and underlying assumptions. Methods: Project Cost EstimatesEstimate Factors/Underlying Assumptions Methods: Institution and Constituent QuantitativeProject BenefitsEstimate Factors/Underlying Assumptions Table 14: Financial analysis 5.5 Initial Risk Consideration Identify each additional initial risk and rate it consistent with the instructions provided in the Business Case Workbook Evaluation Factor worksheet. These are initial risks that were not already identified in the Evaluation Factor worksheet. RiskRating Table 15: Initial risk consideration 5.6 Alternatives Analysis Describe alternative options, including the option of not implementing any project at all and at least one non-selected project option. State the reasons for not selecting each alternative. If at least one rejected alternative is not included, explain why. No Project (Status Quo)Reasons For Not Selecting Alternative Alternative OptionReasons For Not Selecting Alternative Alternative OptionReasons For Not Selecting Alternative Table 16: Alternative analysis 6 Project Selection 6.1 Methodology Describe the Institution-developed methodology used for project selection. 6.2 Results State the rationale for why the project was selected above the other alternatives solutions. Cite any market research that was conducted. Note: The graphical summary charts below may be copied to the Executive Summary depending on the desired approach for providing a clear and succinct justification for the project. Summary: All Project Evaluation FactorsLineFactorMaximum Rating PossibleRating*SFStatutory Fulfillment35 SAStrategic Alignment45 IAInstitution Impact Analysis35 FAFinancial Analysis - Government/Constituent60 RCInitial Risk Consideration45 AAAlternatives Analysis30 Total, All Project Factors250 Table 17: Summary: All Project Evaluation Factors * Ratings are detailed in the Business Case Workbook. Financial Analysis: Institution/StateLineMeasureYear 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5TotalRA1Institution Benefits (Cash Inflow) RA2Project Costs (Cash Outflow) RA3Benefit/Cost Variance (Net Cash Flow) RA4Cumulative Net Benefits (Cumulative Net Cash Flow) RA7Breakeven Point (Years 1 to 10) Table 18: Financial Analysis: Institution/State Financial Analysis: ConstituentsLineMeasureYear 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5TotalVA1Constituent Benefits VA2Project Costs VA3Benefit/Cost Variance VA4Cumulative Net Benefits Table 19: Financial Analysis: Constituents 7 Glossary Define all terms and acronyms required to interpret the Business Case properly. 8 Revision History Identify changes to the Business Case. VersionDateNameDescription Click here to download Business Case template.