(Online Delivery) Writing Effective Business Cases

Course Description

Students will be provided a deep exploration of how to perform pre-project activities necessary to develop a well-structured business case. The course begins by providing students an understanding of the business analyst’s role in pre-project activities. Techniques are provided to support the business analyst in analyzing the current state business environment, identifying the current business problem (or opportunity) and creating a ‘situation statement’ to communicate to decision makers why a change is required in the business. Students then explore how to go about determining a desired future state and identifying the needed changes and capabilities that will support the enterprise in achieving the business need. A thorough exploration of the business case is presented, including feasibility analysis and the various areas of a solution option the business analyst must explore in order to build a convincing business case. Students learn the components of a well-structured business case and walk away understanding how to logically present a business case and obtain buy-in. Techniques are also discussed to help prepare a business analyst for the challenges that often are presented when delivering business cases to management.

Agenda

• Module 1:
• What is Business Analysis
• Benefits of Business Analysis
• Challenges of Business Analysis
• Purpose of a Business Case
• Module 2: Pre-Project Activities & the Business Analyst
• The Definition of a Business Analyst
• The Role of a Business Analyst
• Responsibilities of a BA
• BA Role vs. PM Role
• Business Analysis vs. Systems Analysis
• Business Analysis Competencies
• Module 3: The Needs Assessment Process
• Business Need Defined
• Define Business Need
• The Needs Assessment Process
• Module 4: Determining the Required Capabilities & Defining Solution Scope
• Business Need and Current State
• Purpose of Analyzing the Current State
• Analyzing Current Capabilities and Process
• Capabilities Defined
• Techniques for Analyzing the Current State
• Define the Future State
• Module 5: Assessing Feasibility & Proposing Solution Options
• Module Learning Objectives
• Financial Analysis
• Purpose of Financial Analysis
• Costs versus Benefits
• Financial Models
• Timing for Assessing Financial Benefits
• Module 6: Packaging & Presenting the Business Case
• Circumventing a Business Case
• Documenting the Business Case
• Value of the Business Case Process
• Business Case Components
• Business Case Techniques
• Build a Convincing Business Case