{"id":2699,"date":"2023-04-25T14:33:59","date_gmt":"2023-04-25T14:33:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/?p=2699"},"modified":"2025-01-23T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T00:00:00","slug":"business-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/business-case\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s a Business Case and How to Write It (+ Free Template)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Let\u2019s say you are a project manager \u2014 and you notice the communication tool your team uses is outdated and difficult. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It often causes issues in communication \u2014 team members don\u2019t always receive meeting invites, messages get lost, you can\u2019t save important information without writing it down somewhere separately, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You discovered a new communication tool that would be a great alternative, but that would require the whole company to transition from one to the other. You can\u2019t just suggest this to your superiors without offering concrete evidence as to why the switch is necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where a business case comes into play. It outlines how<\/em> and why<\/em> an endeavor or a project is worth undertaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, putting ideas into words is easier said than done. So keep reading to learn what a business case is, how you can write one, and what its crucial elements are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll even get a free business case template that you can customize to fit your needs! <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Business<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What is a business case?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A business case is a proposition that justifies a project or endeavor through its value for the organization.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It contains all the information on the project idea, like strategic alignment, risk assessment, and even alternative approaches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basically, a business case is a document that acts as the summary of your project idea, providing the reasons it should be executed and focusing on the benefits it brings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writing one should be among the first steps to starting your project \u2014 as you will use it to gain the attention of project stakeholders<\/a> and convince them to support your project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you think all of this sounds familiar \u2014 you\u2019re right. Lots of documentation in project management deals with similar topics, leading to the business case being confused with other terms, such as business plan, project plan, and even project charter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To clear this up, here\u2019s a breakdown of their differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/th>Business case<\/strong><\/th>Business plan<\/strong><\/th>Project plan<\/strong><\/a><\/th>Project charter<\/strong><\/a><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Why is it made?<\/strong><\/td>To justify the value of a project or business endeavor.<\/td>To outline a roadmap, usually when you create a business.<\/td>To provide exact information on how a project will be executed. <\/td>To authorize specific project managers to begin and lead the projects.<\/td><\/tr>
How detailed is it?<\/strong><\/td>Broad and more theoretical, susceptible to change.<\/td>Much broader, outlining things like the mission statement or target market.<\/td>As specific as it can be, outlining every aspect of a project.<\/td>Specific to a degree, authorizing final calls on things like management and scope.<\/td><\/tr>
Who creates it?<\/strong><\/td>Whoever\u2019s proposing the project \u2014 the sponsor, project manager, senior management, or even the business owner.<\/td>Usually the business owner.<\/td>The project manager.<\/td>Usually the project manager \u2014 however, they need to consult with the project sponsor.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
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\n \n Free project management software <\/span>\n

Implement your business case effectively \u2014 manage tasks, collaborate, and track progress in Plaky by CAKE.com.<\/p>\n

\n \n Sign up <\/a>\n \n Learn more <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \"Plaky\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n\n\n\n

Benefits of a business case<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wondering why you may want to write a business case? Here are some of the benefits it can bring:<\/p>\n\n\n\n