I continue to be amazed that clients try to create a business case for a major, multi-million dollar project request at the eleventh hour. How can business and IT managers be so naïve? They know a business case is required
Many of us have heard of or have faced the need to produce a business cases, especially for an Enterprise Content Management (ECM) project. While this is a typical request in many organizations there may not be a clear understanding of the purpose and benefit of a business case other than trying to identify costs but there is more to it than that for example a business case serves the purpose of but is not limited to the following: Shows how the ECM program supports business strategy Gains senior management support and funding Provides clear outline of options Makes clear recommendations Describes how to measure success and benefits In essence it is a communication tools used to generate support for and acceptance of your project but it should not stop there. Your business case as the last bullet shows, should also define success and the benefits gained as well as how these will be measured. This means that once the project is approved and underway, you should refer back the to business case for reference as a tool to ensure your project is and remains aligned to meet the goals and deliver the success and benefits presented. In my view, this is one area where many organizations fall short in that once the project is approved and funding acquired, the business case is placed on a shelf and never referenced again
People often think that the business case for a taxonomy is the same as a Return on Investment (ROI) analysis. In fact, ROI is only one form of business case. The most important features of a business case are: They must promise benefits for the organization
2 Comments - Sorry Carl but I was very disappointed that there actually was no "case" for taxonomy given the title perhaps you should have called it a business case that does not depend on ROI I was excited to think that I may learn something about presenting a solid case to support the adoption and implementation of a corporate wide Taxonomy management system enabling and controlling effective RM at all levels
My mom was an IT manager. At some point in her career, she published an article titled “Top 10 ways to kill an IT project.” It included some profound observations like “Don’t give the guy that doesn’t show up for the project meetings all the power.” We...
3 Comments - Something to ponder: Most teams struggle with the IM Governance issues because they fail to map value to a business case. Every enterprise runs on information today
1.1www This post outlines how to develop a business case for your forms initiatives
In developing a business case for ERM implementation, it should show clearly how the ERM Program will help to achieve one or more of the organization’s strategic aims and objectives. It is, in fact, essential in the business case for a move to ERM to link tactical problems with consequences and through to strategic benefits
Improved Decision-making These non-financial benefits need to be included as part of the business case economic assessment
Rob Hamilton presented Building the Information Governance Business Case Within Your Company
These non-financial benefits need to be included as part of the business case economic assessment...What were the challenges you faced in putting your business case together? Tell us about your success in getting your business case approved
Improved Information sharing and access These non-financial benefits need to be included as part of the business case economic assessment
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