Economist Guide To Change And Project Management by Roberts Paul

Author:Roberts, Paul
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Profile
Published: 2020-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

The business case

The business case underpins any project because it describes success in terms of measurable benefits. To forecast the intended benefits, much thought is needed and the results must find a place in the business case. The sponsor is best placed to develop the business case because it is the sponsor who will be charged with delivering the successful outcome and will probably have pushed for the project to be funded so far. Once completed, the business case should be submitted to the portfolio management team to be approved. If they do so, they should also provide the budget requested.

In practice, it is not unusual for the project manager (if one has been identified) to help to develop the business case, not only because it is an ideal way to become familiar with the project itself, but also because creating the document should be planned, monitored and controlled. However, this document must not be owned nor signed off by the project manager; if this happens, what clearer demonstration could there be of the business’s lack of interest or dereliction of responsibility?

The success of a business case should be judged against the following criteria:

Does it show the difference over time of the costs of the project compared with its intended benefits?

Are all identified risks accompanied by a mitigation?

Where alternative solutions exist, does it propose a preferred option?

Can it be easily compared to other business cases when setting priorities?

Does it consider not just the project costs alone, but also those that may be incurred beyond its closure?

Does it enable a clear approval decision to be made?

Table 9.1 lists what should be included in a business case.

TABLE 9.1 The business case

Opportunity or problem

A description of the opportunity or problem that has led to the need for what this project is intended to deliver.

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