Business Case Outline

AmbITion Business Case pro forma

Business Case Structure 1. The following is merely a suggested format. The point of this document is that is short and concise! It should distil the reasoning and plans for the project. Please use this document as a guide and as a suggested format, but it is not meant to be prescriptive. 2. The document should be concise, and to-the-point. A 3rd party should be able to read it, and get a clear idea of the scope of the project, the reasons for undertaking it, the estimated costs and times, and any other relevant points. 3. The document should be co-written between the organisation and the consultant, if there is one. 4. Where the organisation is undertaking a range of projects, an overview of the “bigger picture” – with more detailed breakdowns of the individual projects – will be useful. 5. The executive summary should be a “digest” of the main document – a short summary written after the rest of the document. 6. Where an item is not relevant to the particular project please say so. 1. Executive Summary – This should be drawn from the main body of the business case and should include: a) Outline of the future opportunity the organisation is addressing b) The project being proposed c) The total funding required for the implementation of the project

2. Introduction/Background a) Very brief route-map of the organisation’s development of the idea/recognition of problem

Author: Hannah Rudman, 2009, revised 2012

AmbITion Business Case pro forma

b) General summary about the project and how it fits with organisations’ strategy, core vision and/or mission statements / ongoing development plans 3. Future Opportunity/Solution a) What’s the issue/need of the organisation? b) Clear statement of the future opportunity c) Evidence the opportunity is worth pursuing d) Benefits/advantages the organisation intends to achieve (short, medium, longterm outcomes and goals) 4. Approach to achieving the solution: Implementation Plan a) Milestone plan and timeline for implementation phase – this can be in outline form. Who is leading each step? b) Description of practical matters of implementation (Who is overall responsible?, support, project management, procurement, etc.) c) Description of how the project, once completed, will continue to be developed/integrated with ongoing organisational development. 5. Organisational Issues a) Capacity to deliver the project b) Evidence of SMT and governance support c) Consortia and partnership (any as appropriate) roles

6. Risk assessment a) List anticipated risks associated with the implementation of the project b) List risk management plans for dealing with risks 7. Financial Issues

Author: Hannah Rudman, 2009, revised 2012

AmbITion Business Case pro forma

a) Budget for implementation phase (one time costs and cash flow required). b) List continuous and future costs and explain how organisation will cover these (eg. service costs, staff, license fees, depreciation, etc.). c) Define the Return on Investment (ongoing revenue; increased audiences meaning more monetisation opportunities; deeper participation, etc.) 8. Measurement of benefits a) How is the proposed investment good value for money? b) Are there any savings on current costs? c) How will ROI and other hard and soft non-financial benefits be measured? 9. Agreed Support from stakeholders a) List internal support (financial, time in-kind, etc.) b) Investment or grant income c) Statements of support/engagement by other stakeholders - as appropriate d) Identify sources of any match funding.

Author: Hannah Rudman, 2009, revised 2012