Business cases are commonly used for decision making above the project level. They should be completed by business analysts and as project managers we are familiar with them as an input for the project charter. For me a business case is about the course of action : to get to our destination we can take roads a,b,c... What are the consequences and the risks associated with each alternative ?
But as project managers we are not confronted very often with business plans since they are about the objectives of the business as a whole, not a particular project.
Have you ever had the opportunity to write a business plan ?
What were the criteria according to which you could say : we do not need a business case , we need a business plan ? Saving Changes...
It might be if a PM had a broader mandate - for example, to help a startup with a number of initiatives related to launching the business. It could also be if we are entering a brand new market - in such cases, a business plan for viability might be advisable.
It might be if a PM had a broader mandate - for example, to help a startup with a number of initiatives related to launching the business. It could also be if we are entering a brand new market - in such cases, a business plan for viability might be advisable.
Kiron
Thank you for your comment Kiron , good point. Saving Changes...
I have the opportunity to do both - write a business plan and write a business case.
The business case is as you have stated very closely tied to initiating a project.
I believe as Kiron stated that in the event that you are in the process of launching a new business or perhaps entering a new market, I would see the need to do both. First the business plan and once that is completed, then the business case.
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1 reply by Nenad Pesic
Jan 12, 2018 4:22 PM
Nenad Pesic
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Thank you Sante and Joey for your comments we all seem to agree.
A business plan is like a project management plan but for a new or expanding business. A business case could be used for both a project or a new business or product/service.expansion within a business. Saving Changes...
I have the opportunity to do both - write a business plan and write a business case.
The business case is as you have stated very closely tied to initiating a project.
I believe as Kiron stated that in the event that you are in the process of launching a new business or perhaps entering a new market, I would see the need to do both. First the business plan and once that is completed, then the business case.
Thank you Sante and Joey for your comments we all seem to agree. Saving Changes...
Tim PodestaDirector of PM/PMO| Former BP- now IndependentPenn, Bucks, United Kingdom
For me a business plan would include ongoing operations and future projections which may call for projects to deliver new investments or other changes. These projects would normally have business cases in support of the business plan and strategy.
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1 reply by Nenad Pesic
Jan 12, 2018 5:07 PM
Nenad Pesic
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Thanks for the comment Tim.
Saving Changes...
Cheryl McNamaraVP, Technology & Innovation, PMP (No business solicitations please.)| PNCWexford, Pa, United States
Our Initiative Plan person would create the project business case because it is pre-project and pre-funding approval. I am curious if anyone has PM's involved at this pre-project level. I would think that they could help in formulating project cost estimates but the line of business expert or Initiative Plan owner may or may not want the PM's "assistance". The other issue is since this work is pre-project, there is no active project for the PM to charge their time to yet.
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2 replies by Nenad Pesic and Thomas Walenta
Jan 12, 2018 5:05 PM
Nenad Pesic
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Thank you Cheryl, very interesting.
Jan 13, 2018 11:08 AM
Thomas Walenta
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I have seen PM's in charge of the pre-projects and sometimes the same PMs that are doing the project later, one benefit being consistency. Some say in the contrary, we follow taylorism and bring in a new 'delivery' PM.
A pre-project may take longer as the project itself, if there is deep analysis done, RfPs issued and vendor selection and contract negotiations done and it results often in a business plan (course of action) which is approved even before a detailed business case (cost/benefits) is done.
Our Initiative Plan person would create the project business case because it is pre-project and pre-funding approval. I am curious if anyone has PM's involved at this pre-project level. I would think that they could help in formulating project cost estimates but the line of business expert or Initiative Plan owner may or may not want the PM's "assistance". The other issue is since this work is pre-project, there is no active project for the PM to charge their time to yet.
Thank you Cheryl, very interesting. Saving Changes...
For me a business plan would include ongoing operations and future projections which may call for projects to deliver new investments or other changes. These projects would normally have business cases in support of the business plan and strategy.
Thanks for the comment Tim. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Business analyst are in charge to help the organization to create the business plan. Most of the people forgot what business really is. Business is not a trivial word. Business is a three axis function that you have to define and then a business is defined. Is a matter of strategy because a business is the field of action where one of the strategies (business strategy) will be performed. Business case is the mean to convince people to invest into an initiative. To put business strategy into action you could have several initiatives in place. So, what roles to participate into the process is up to each organization. Portfolio and Program managers are most requested in business plan. Project manager are most requested on business case while other project manager could be assigned to the project when the business case is approved.
