I don't have time for a business case - Starting on the back foot

I’m often struck by how many people say, “I haven’t got time for a business case.” It's understandable, everyone is busy, and creating a business case can feel like a lengthy and tedious task. However, the reality is that a well-prepared, streamlined business case doesn’t need to consume hours of your time. The downloadable template in this article has been invaluable to me over the years, as it’s designed to quickly capture the key elements. It’s a game changer when it comes to securing support and clarifying the "why" behind your initiative. Using this approach with SEAM’s clients recently has not only accelerated projects but also helped prioritise business resources to drive revenue growth.

This isn’t about creating a complex, exhaustive document; rather, think of it as a concise tool that’s easy to read, understand, and execute. An effective business case tells a clear story to get the executive team, stakeholders, and the wider business on board with your proposal, demonstrating why the company should invest time, resources, and energy into your idea. It doesn’t need to be War and Peace, just clear, concise, and purposeful.

Once your business case is approved, remember that this is just the starting point. A more detailed planning phase will follow, where you’ll refine critical elements, including comprehensive financial forecasting and strategic alignment. This deeper dive will involve validating assumptions, stress-testing financial projections, and assessing operational feasibility with current and future team needs. While the quick business case provides the green light, these next steps ensure your initiative is well-supported and fully executable.

Why the “Quick Business Case” matters

Many business decisions start with an informal conversation or a meeting, and that’s okay! But without a documented case, important considerations can be overlooked, and projects may lack the due diligence needed to succeed. A quick business case gives structure to those early discussions, captures key information, and can help make sure everyone involved is on the same page.

For example, a comment like, “I heard X company made $20 million per month selling these widgets, so we should partner with that supplier,” might spark interest. But before diving in, a concise business case can clarify what’s needed, confirm feasibility, and ensure alignment on objectives. This extra step can prevent costly missteps down the line.

The value of time well invested

While everyone is time poor, taking the time to create even a basic business case can save substantial time, money, and resources over the course of a project. In the long run, it might be the reason a project succeeds, or a reason to halt it before resources are wasted. By clearly outlining the “why,” the potential benefits, and the risks, you create visibility and alignment across the business, which helps smooth the path to approval or, just as valuably, a timely decision to step back.

Key benefits of a business case

1. Increased buy-In: A structured case helps communicate the importance and value of the project, encouraging stakeholder support.

2. Improved efficiency: A clear plan can streamline execution, saving time and resources and providing a roadmap that can be revisited throughout the project lifecycle.

Key risks of skipping a business case

1. Missed opportunities: Without a clear rationale and goals, projects may overlook critical factors, resulting in less impactful or incomplete solutions.

2. Wasted resources: Starting without a strong foundation can lead to unnecessary costs, delays, or failure to meet objectives, impacting both productivity and revenue.

A simple business case template to get you started

Here's a practical template to help you create a quick business case for presenting to the business.

Business case essentials

This quick business case is a vital first step toward bringing your project to life. It’s designed to capture the core elements without needing to fill out every field perfectly. The aim is progress, not perfection. By completing the key sections, you’ll provide enough clarity to spark informed discussions, align priorities, and start securing buy-in.

The one-page format keeps things simple and focused, clear, concise, and to the point. It doesn’t need to be War and Peace, just straightforward and easy to understand. Think of it as a blueprint for quickly communicating the value of your project. Future conversations can dive deeper into specifics.

Core details in the one-page business case template

Refer to the downloadable document for further guidance on each field.

1. Business Case Name

2. Elevator Pitch of the Project/Concept

3. Challenge/Opportunity Overview

   1. Objective

   2. Priority Check

4. Project Details

   1. Proposed Start Date

   2. Project Owner

   3. Project Duration

   4. Project Group

5. Financial Projections

   1. Forecast Revenue

   2. Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)

   3. Forecast Savings

   4. Operating Expenditure (OPEX)

6. Success Measurement

   1. Success Metrics

   2. How will this be tracked?

7. Risk Assessment

   1. Process Type Requiring Downtime

   2. Impact Level of Downtime

   3. Duration of Downtime

   4. Risks if Project Doesn’t Proceed

By documenting these elements, you’re equipping your project with the foundation it needs to move forward effectively and bringing clarity to all stakeholders. With a bit of up-front planning, you can lay the groundwork for a project that runs smoothly and efficiently, rather than starting on the back foot.