As a starting point in implementing new technology, organizations must invariably develop a Business Case to address key questions regarding the various options available, relative costs, benefits, risks and organizational impacts associated with each option, and details regarding how success will be measured.

By documenting and quantifying the expected cost, benefits, opportunities, barriers and risks of pursuing various solutions, the Business Case brings clarity to the most appropriate course of action for senior management. In addition, the Business Case defines the key activities that must be initiated for the solution to succeed in terms of supporting the strategic goals and objectives of the organization. This clarity is key to establishing Executive Sponsorship, as well as setting expectations with regard to scope, schedule, and budget. Finally, the Business Case functions as an important communications vehicle as it serves to identify goals and measures for tracking the transition from project to production.

Dissect any failed project, and you’ll likely discover that lack of clarity in one or more of those areas was a root cause of that failure. As Lester R. Bittel said in his book The Nine Master Keys of Management, “Good plans shape good decisions. That's why good planning helps to make elusive dreams come true”.

1.   Current state of the business processes and requirements,
2.   Vision of the desired future state,
3.   Understanding of any gaps that exist between those two       environments, and
4.   A plan must be in place that successfully implements the technology
      taking elements 1 -3 (above) into account.

The experts at iStrat have many years of experience taking customers through these often treacherous waters, and we help you navigate them successfully. Specifically, iStrat Support can help you with the following activities:

P Problem Definition;
P Situation Analysis;
P Definition of Alternatives and Assessment of those Alternatives;
P Risk Analysis and Mitigation strategies and options;
P Definition of Assumptions;
P Cost / Benefit Justification Analysis;
P Financial Estimating and Forecasting;
P Business Case and Supporting Document Preparation/Report Writing;and
P Presentations to Senior Management.