book

Developing a Business Case

by Harvard Business Review

December 2010

Intermediate to advanced

128 pages

1h 32m

English

Harvard Business Review Press

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Business case versus business planWhen you should create a business caseA complex documentSeven steps to a business case
Identifying a problem or opportunityDeveloping an opportunity statementIdentifying your business objectivesPrioritizing your objectivesAssigning metrics to your objectives
Generating a list of optionsGathering inputNarrowing your choices
Identifying the information you needCollecting the dataSetting a time frameDocumenting your estimates and assumptions
Evaluating alternatives against your metricsUnderstanding common financial metricsCreating a framework for comparing alternatives

Selecting the best solutionWeighing the risksDeciding how to mitigate the risksDetermining whether to modify your recommended course of action
Understanding the purpose of an implementation planListing your milestonesCommunicating with decision makersIdentifying resources you’ll needClarifying responsibilitiesIndicating expected payoffTracking your results
Understanding your audienceUsing visuals to present your case
Answers to test questions

Content preview from Developing a Business Case

Pocket Mentor Series

The Pocket Mentor Series offers immediate solutions to common challenges managers face on the job every day. Each book in the series is packed with handy tools, self-tests, and real-life examples to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and hone critical skills. Whether you’re at your desk, in a meeting, or on the road, these portable guides enable you to tackle the daily demands of your work with greater speed, savvy, and effectiveness.

Books in the series:

Becoming a New Manager

Coaching People

Creating a Business Plan

Delegating Work

Developing Employees

Dismissing an Employee

Executing Innovation

Executing Strategy

Focusing on Your Customer

Fostering Creativity

Giving Feedback