The Five Case Model explained: Better Business Cases

Earlier this week I was reviewing the materials we use for our online and classroom Better Business Cases training, and looking some of the summaries we provide to the students.

The Better Business Cases course brings together a lot of information on creating successful business cases, and handy summaries along the way make it easier to cross refer to each of the main components of the Five Case Model. So if you’re looking for a summary guide for handy reference, here is what we provide to our delegates during the course.

The Five Case Model explained

The Strategic Case

The purpose of the strategic dimension of the business case is to make the case for change and to demonstrate how it provides strategic fit.

Contents of the Strategic Case

• Strategic Context
• Organisational overview
• Business strategy and aims
• Other relevant strategies
• The Case for Change
• Spending objectives
• Existing arrangements
• Business needs – current and future
• Potential scope and service requirements
• Main benefits and risks
• Constraints and dependencies

The Economic Case

The purpose of the economic dimension of the business case is to identify the proposal that delivers best public value to society, including wider social and environmental effects.

Contents of the Economic Case

• Critical Success factors
• Long-listed options
• Preferred Way Forward
• Shortlisted options (including the “Business As Usual (BAU)” and ‘do minimum’)
• NPSC/NPSV findings
• Benefits appraisal
• Risk assessment
• Sensitivity analysis
• Preferred option

The Commercial Case

The purpose of the commercial dimension of the business case is to demonstrate that the preferred option will result in a viable procurement and a well-structured Deal between the public sector and its service providers.

Contents of the Commercial Case

• Procurement strategy and route
• Service requirements and outputs
• Risk allocation
• Charging mechanism
• Key contractual arrangements
• Personnel implications
• Accountancy treatment

The Financial Case

The purpose of the financial dimension of the business case is to demonstrate the affordability and funding of the preferred option, including the support of stakeholders and customers, as required.

Contents of the Financial Case

• Capital and revenue requirements
• Net effect on prices (if any)
• Impact on balance sheet
• Impact on income and expenditure account
• Overall affordability and funding
• Confirmation of stakeholder/customer support (if applicable)

The Management Case

The purpose of the management dimension of the business case is to demonstrate that robust arrangements are in place for the delivery, monitoring and evaluation of the scheme, including feedback into the organisation’s strategic planning cycle.

Contents of the Management Case

• Programme management governance arrangements (roles, responsibilities, plans etc.)
• Project management governance arrangements
• Use of specialist advisers
• Change and contract management arrangements
• Benefits realisation arrangements (including plans and register)
• Risk management arrangements (including plans and register)
• Post-implementation and evaluation arrangements
• Contingency arrangements and plans

For a downloadable version of these Five Case Model notes click on this link, it’s a really good resource for anyone creating their first Business Case.

We also have some other great resources which are free to download including:

• Full business case template
• Outline business case template
• Strategic outline case template 
• NHS case study
• New primary school case study
• Department of Transport case study

Studying for your Better Business Cases certification with Training ByteSize

With many companies encouraging employees to work remotely, now is the ideal time to undertake a Better Business Cases accredited course. It’s a crucial time to provide employees with the skills and confidence they need to construct and present successful business cases from home, including the Five Case Model.

All of our accredited courses can be completed online and course participants will benefit from clear, engaging content that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. At the end of their course, each participant will complete an exam, which is also performed online. Our pass rates are well in excess of the national average – nearly 100% in fact.

At Training ByteSize we offer an excellent standard of training and a variety of options in which to learn, however our online course is by far the most popular. This option is flexible so you can fit your learning around your busy schedule, with minimal disruption to your day job.

For just $499 you can get access to our interactive and engaging online learning management system for three months, featuring films, activities and an extensive mock exam simulator, plus the online exam. Discover more about our training options here.

Try before you buy

Knowing what the course looks like before you buy anything is a service we’re really proud to offer. Click here to see our Better Business Cases Foundation online course demo and how we approach the Five Case Model. 

Look out for offers

We’re always supporting our customers with fantastic offers to help ensure you can afford to train, so make sure you check out our offers page before you buy. At the moment we are offering Better Business Cases Foundation online learning plus the online exam for incredible value at just $499, plus you also qualify for our buy one get one free offer!

Talk to us

We’re here for you at every stage of your project management career, so please take the opportunity to talk to us. You can use the chat function in the bottom right of your screen, email us at [email protected], or call us on +61 (02)8072 0653.

If you are looking to train a team of people in Better Business Cases, you’ll find that our onsite training is a viable and cost-effective option for you. If you would like to find out more about this option or any other aspect of the course, please do get in touch.