How Do I Structure a Business Case for Success?

Small Business Owner looking to make an investment? Looking to undertake a home improvement project? Been told by your boss to just write a Business Case?

I expect we can all relate to one or two of those points. I’m Simon and I write a lot of Business Case in my job and have learnt a few things that I want to share about how to lay out or structure the document.

Photo by MJH SHIKDER on Unsplash

Why Projects Fail: Hint It Starts with the Business Case!

According to a survey conducted by the Project Management Institute, 12% of projects in organizations were deemed failures in the past year. 12% sounds low and in reality many more projects are late, not achieving te desired goals or cost more. Here are some common reasons why projects fail:

1. Unclear objectives: Your team isn’t aligned on project goals, and there’s no way to measure success.
2. Scope creep: Your project deliverables change as work progresses.
3. Poor resource planning: You don’t have the right people, equipment, or materials to complete the project.
4. Lack of communication: Your team members aren’t communicating effectively with each other.
5. Inadequate documentation and tracking: Concise project documentation and upkeep is the coordinated responsibility of the team.
6. Poor leadership: The project manager is not providing clear direction or support to the team.
7. Unrealistic expectations: The project goals are not achievable within the given constraints.

That’s quite a list but all of these points start with the Business Case. In my 20 years+ of experience projects and initiatives start to go wrong in the Business Case especially when one was not even created.

Tips on Starting Out for Success

Start with the end in mind. Rather than minding a new tool, new skillset or something else start with the business problem you are solving. Most business problems typically need to sovle at least one of these three problems:

• Make more money
• Save money
• Reduce risks