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ISM645 IT STRATEGY AND PLANNING

BUSINESS CASE TEMPLATE V1.3

BUSINESS CASE TITLE <PROJECT NAME>

COMPANY NAME STREET ADDRESS

CITY, STATE ZIP CODE

DATE

Business Case Template 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... 2

1.1. Issue ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 1.2. Anticipated Outcomes .................................................................................................................................. 2 1.3. Recommendation ......................................................................................................................................... 2 1.4. Justification .................................................................................................................................................. 2

2. BUSINESS CASE ANALYSIS TEAM ......................................................................................... 2 3. PROBLEM DEFINITION ........................................................................................................... 3

3.1. Problem Statement ....................................................................................................................................... 3 3.2. Organizational Impact .................................................................................................................................. 3 3.3. Technology Migration .................................................................................................................................. 3

4. PROJECT OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................. 3 4.1. Project Description ....................................................................................................................................... 3 4.2. Goals and Objectives.................................................................................................................................... 3 4.3. Project Performance ..................................................................................................................................... 4 4.4. Project Assumptions..................................................................................................................................... 4 4.5. Project Constraints ....................................................................................................................................... 4 4.6. Major Project Milestones ............................................................................................................................. 4

5. STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT ....................................................................................................... 5 6. COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS ..................................................................................................... 5 7. ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS .................................................................................................... 6 8. APPROVALS .......................................................................................................................... 6

Business Case Template 2

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This section should provide general information on the issues surrounding the business problem and the proposed project or initiative created to address it. Usually, this section is completed last after all other sections of the business case have been written. This is because the executive summary is exactly that, a summary of the detail that is provided in subsequent sections of the document. 1.1. Issue

This section should briefly describe the business problem that the proposed project will address. This section should not describe how the problem will be addressed, only what the problem is.

1.2. Anticipated Outcomes This section should describe the anticipated outcome if the proposed project or initiative is implemented. It should include how the project will benefit the business and describe what the end state of the project should be.

1.3. Recommendation This section summarizes the approach for how the project will address the business problem. This section should also describe how desirable results will be achieved by moving forward with the project.

1.4. Justification This section justifies why the recommended project should be implemented and why it was selected over other alternatives. Where applicable, quantitative support should be provided and the impact of not implementing the project should also be stated.

2. BUSINESS CASE ANALYSIS TEAM This section describes the roles of the team members who developed the business case. It is imperative that participants and roles are clearly defined for the business case as well as throughout the life of the project. The following individuals comprise the business case analysis team. They are responsible for the analysis and creation of the WP Project business case. Role Description Name/Title

Executive Sponsor Provide executive support for the project

Technology Support Provides all technology support for the project

Process Improvement Advises team on process improvement techniques

Project Manager Manages the business case and project team

Software Support Provides all software support for the project

Business Case Template 3

3. PROBLEM DEFINITION

3.1. Problem Statement

This section describes the business problem that this project was created to address. The problem may be process, technology, or product/service oriented. This section should not include any discussion related to the solution.

3.2. Organizational Impact

This section describes how the proposed project will modify or affect the organizational processes, tools, hardware, and/or software. It should also explain any new roles which would be created or how existing roles may change as a result of the project.

3.3. Technology Migration

This section provides a high-level overview of how the new technology will be implemented and how data from the legacy technology will be migrated. This section should also explain any outstanding technical requirements and obstacles which need to be addressed.

4. PROJECT OVERVIEW

This section describes high-level information about the project to include a description, goals and objectives, performance criteria, assumptions, constraints, and milestones. This section consolidates all project-specific information into one chapter and allows for an easy understanding of the project since the baseline business problem, impacts, and recommendations have already been established.

4.1. Project Description

This section describes the approach the project will use to address the business problem(s). This includes what the project will consist of, a general description of how it will be executed, and the purpose of it.

4.2. Goals and Objectives This section lists the business goals and objectives which are supported by the project and how the project will address them. The following table lists the business goals and objectives and how it supports them: Business Goal/Objective Description

Business Case Template 4

4.3. Project Performance This section describes the measures that will be used to gauge the project’s performance and outcomes as they relate to key resources, processes, or services. The following table lists the key resources, processes, or services and their anticipated business outcomes in measuring the performance of the project. These performance measures will be quantified and further defined in the detailed project plan. Key Resource/Process/Service Performance Measure

4.4. Project Assumptions

This section lists the preliminary assumptions for the proposed project. As the project is selected and moves into detailed project planning, the list of assumptions will most likely grow as the project plan is developed. However, for the business case there should be at least a preliminary list from which to build.

4.5. Project Constraints This section lists the preliminary constraints for the proposed project. As the project is selected and moves into detailed project planning, the list of constraints will most likely grow as the project plan is developed. However, for the business case there should be at least a preliminary list from which to build.

4.6. Major Project Milestones

This section lists the major project milestones and their target completion dates. Since this is the business case, these milestones and target dates are general and in no way final. It is important to note that as the project planning moves forward, a base-lined schedule including all milestones will be completed. The following are the major project milestones identified at this time. As the project planning moves forward and the schedule is developed, the milestones and their target completion dates will be modified, adjusted, and finalized as necessary to establish the baseline schedule. Milestones/Deliverables Target Date

Business Case Template 5

Milestones/Deliverables Target Date

5. STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT

All projects should support the organization’s strategy and strategic plans in order to add value and maintain executive and organizational support. This section provides an overview of the organizational strategic plans that are related to the project. This includes the strategic plan, what the plan calls for, and how the project supports the strategic plan. Plan Goals/Objectives Relationship to Project

6. COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS

Many consider this one of the most important parts of a business case as it is often the costs or savings a project yields which win final approval to go forward. It is important to quantify the financial benefits of the project as much as possible in the business case. This is usually done in the form of a cost benefit analysis. The purpose of this is to illustrate the costs of the project and compare them with the benefits and savings to determine if the project is worth pursuing. The following table captures the cost and savings actions associated with the Project, descriptions of these actions, and the costs or savings associated with them through the first year. At the bottom of the chart is the net savings for the first year of the project.

Action

Action Type

Description First year costs (- indicates anticipated savings)

Business Case Template 6

Action

Action Type

Description First year costs (- indicates anticipated savings)

Net First Year Savings $

7. ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS

All business problems may be addressed by any number of alternative projects. While the business case is the result of having selected one such option, a brief summary of considered alternatives should also be included—one of which should be the status quo, or doing nothing. The reasons for not selecting the alternatives should also be included. The following alternative options have been considered to address the business problem. These alternatives were not selected for a number of reasons which are also explained below. No Project (Status Quo) Reasons For Not Selecting Alternative

Alternative Option Reasons For Not Selecting Alternative

Alternative Option Reasons For Not Selecting Alternative

8. APPROVALS

The business case is a document with which approval is granted or denied to move forward with the creation of a project. Therefore, the document should receive approval or disapproval from its executive review board The signatures of the people below indicate an understanding in the purpose and content of this document by those signing it.

Approver Name Title Signature Date

President and COO

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Information Officer