Business case essentials free download

When competition is serious, let Business Case Essentials guide you. Real-world decision makers know exactly what to look for in funding requests and action proposals. They expect credible, accurate forecasts, quantitative risk measures, sound reasoning, and evidence-based proof. This is what it takes to convince a critical audience that your proposal is the better business decision.

Successful case builders in all lines of business take the fast track to results that score high in these qualities— Business Case Essentials. Essentials assumes no prior background in finance or business planning. Now in its 5th Edition with nearly one million copies circulating, Essentials is the most frequently cited business case-building resource in print.

Let Business Case Essentials guide you to the business case results that decision makers expect: Cash flow forecasts, financial tactics, and convincing proof that your recommendation is the better business decision. What happens if we take this, or that action? What happens if we take no action?

The BCA answers in business terms: business costs, business benefits, and business risks. Decision makers and planners rely on solid BCA for building understanding and confidence they need to take action. The internet today is awash with books, training, and templates promising to help you answer the "What happens? Most merely suggest a few cost and revenue forecasts for your proposed action or investment. However, revenue and cost forecasts alone make a weak business case.

For credibility, accuracy, and practical value in the real world, the case must deliver clear answers to other questions as well:. Warning: This site requires the use of scripts, which your browser does not currently allow. See how to enable scripts. Microsoft Security Essentials. Select Language:. Choose the download you want. Download Summary:. Total Size: 0. Back Next. Microsoft recommends you install a download manager. Microsoft Download Manager. Manage all your internet downloads with this easy-to-use manager.

It features a simple interface with many customizable options:. Download multiple files at one time Download large files quickly and reliably Suspend active downloads and resume downloads that have failed. Nothing is really set in stone, including the headings. This is an important point, because flexibility is what you need to put a truly convincing case together.

A business case is not a government form in which you tick boxes as you answer a gazillion questions; it's a medium for your brilliant business thinking. Always written last, the Executive Summary presents the essence of the business case, in a condensed format.

Pick the most important points that allow for a coherent picture, but strive to keep it concise: it should not be longer than one or two pages. Certainly include objectives, proposed solution, benefits and costs, risks, and key dates. This section can be structured in a few of ways. The first approach is appropriate for cases that deal with correcting a wrong. Describe the current situation and explain what the adverse impact is, be it of a financial nature or otherwise.

The second approach, more suitable for cases that deal with new opportunities or mandatory changes, where the status quo is not necessarily deficient, is to use the following structure:.

The third approach, most appropriate for new opportunities, is to state what the case is proposing and describe why it is being considered. Why now? List several alternatives you considered, complete with benefits and costs, and risk assessment. Show how they align with such considerations as corporate and business unit strategy, vision, current priorities and other factors discussed in the blog I mentioned at the start of this piece.

You should use your judgment and include the appropriate amount of detail so not to overwhelm the reader and yet provide enough information for effective decision making. This is the old "know your audience" maxim, and it rings especially true here. It's usually appropriate to provide some ideas on how the implementation of the preferred solution should proceed, to show that you're presenting not a pipe dream but a carefully thought through solution.

Rarely is it necessary to create an exhaustive plan, unless specifically required by the decision makers. Include all supporting information, such as cost benefit analyses, reference materials, calculations, and charts. The importance of a business case to its author is enormous.