Better Business Cases Foundation And Practitioner Training in Teesside

Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction

• Why Better Business Cases?
• Case for a Business Case
• Project Success or Failure?
• Putting the Right Foot Forward
• Public Sector Delivery
• What is a Project?
• What is a Programme?
• Links to Recognised Best Practice Programmes and Project Management Methodologies
• Programme or Project?
• Types of Programme
• Alignment with Strategic Planning
• Importance of the Business Case using the Five Case Model

Module 2: Five Case Model

• Overview of the Five Case Model
• Importance of the Business Case using the Five Case Model
• Strategic Case
  • Demonstrates
  • Challenges
• Contents of the Strategic Case
• Economic Case
  • Demonstrates
  • Challenges
  • Contents of the Economic Case

• Commercial Case
  • Demonstrates
  • Challenges
  • Contents of the Commercial Case
• Financial Case
  • Demonstrates
  • Challenges
  • Contents of the Financial Case
• Management Case
  • Demonstrates
  • Challenges
  • Contents of the Management Case

Module 3: Programme and Project Business Case

• Advantages of the Programme Business Case
• Advantages of the Project Business Case
• When Should a Business Case be Developed?
• Planning for Spending Proposals
• Key Steps in Developing the Programme Business Case
• Project Business Case Development Process

Module 4: Determining the Strategic Context and Undertaking the Strategic Assessment

• Overview
• Strategic Assessment
• Related Activities
• Stages of Business Case Development
  • Strategic Outline Case
  • Outline the Business Case
  • Full Business Case
• Development of the Business Case
• Business Justification Case
• What is Programme Assurance?
• What is Project Assurance?
• Responsibility for Producing the Business Case

Module 5: Making the Case for Change

• Agree on Strategic Context
• Determine Spending Objectives, Existing Arrangements, and Business Needs
• Generic Drivers for Spend
• Determine Potential Business Scope and Service Requirements
• Determine Benefits, Risks, Constraints, and Dependencies
• Each Spending Objective

Module 6: Exploring the Preferred Way Forward

• Agree Critical Success Factors (CSFs)
• Determine Long List Options and SWOT Analysis
• Options Framework
• Using the Options Framework
• Drafting the Long List
• Recommended Preferred Way Forward
• Complete the Strategic Outline Case

Module 7: Determining Value for Money (VFM)

• Project Level Business Case
• Revisit the Short-List
• Prepare the Economic Appraisals for Short-Listed Options
• Relevant Costs for Economic Appraisals
• Estimating Benefits for the Economic Appraisals
• Valuing Costs and Benefits
• Presenting the Economic Appraisals
• Undertake Benefits Appraisal
• Undertake Risk Appraisal
• Select the Preferred Option and Undertake a Sensitivity Analysis
• Sensitivity Analysis
• Final Selection of the Preferred Option

Module 8: Preparing for the Potential Deal

• Determine Procurement Strategy
• Determine Service Streams and Required Outputs
• Outline Potential Risk Apportionment
• Outline Potential Payment Mechanisms
• Pre-Delivery Phase
• Operational Phase
• Extension Phase
• Ascertain Contractual Issues and Accountancy Treatment

Module 9: Ascertaining Affordability and Funding Requirement

• Prepare Financial Models and Financial Appraisals
• Financial Modelling
• Impacts to Consider
• Assessing Affordability
• Closing Affordability Gaps

Module 10: Planning for Successful Delivery

• Plan Programme or Project Management
• Programme Roles
• Programme Plan
• Project Plan
• Use of Specialist Advisers
• Plan Change Management and Contract Management
• Plan Benefits Realisation
• Benefits Resister
• Plan Risk Management
• Risk Register
• Plan Programme/Project Assurance and Post Project Evaluation

Module 11: Procuring the VFM Solution

• Revisit the Case for Change
• Revisit the OBC Options
• Detail Procurement Process and Evaluation of BAFOs

Module 12: Contracting for the Deal

• Set Out the Negotiated Deal and Contractual Arrangements
• Set Out the Financial Implications of the Deal

Module 13: Ensuring Successful Delivery

• Finalise Project Management Arrangements and Plans
• Finalise Change Management Arrangements and Plans
• Finalise Benefits Realisation Arrangements and Plans
• Finalise Risk Management Arrangements and Plans
• Finalise Contract Management Arrangements and Plans
• Finalise Post Project Evaluation Arrangements and Plans
• Review the Business Case: SOC, OBC, and FBC
• Steps and Actions for Preparation of Programme and Project Business Cases

Who should attend this Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Course?

This Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Course is beneficial for individuals who wish to learn the fundamentals of Business Case Management and how to apply the Better Business Case methodology. This training course is beneficial for these professionals:

• Business Analysts
• Project Managers
• Programme Managers
• Portfolio Managers
• Finance Professionals
• Change Managers
• Compliance Officers

Prerequisites of the Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Course

There are no formal prerequisites for the Foundation section of the course. However, to continue to the Practitioner section of the course, candidates must successfully pass the Better Business Cases™ Foundation Examination.

Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Course Overview

The Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Course provides a comprehensive approach to developing a strong business case that aligns with the Government’s best practice guidelines. The course follows the HM Treasury’s Five Case Model, ensuring a strategic, well-rounded proposal for any investment decision. Delegates will gain insight into justifying investment needs, goal setting, and planning for successful project outcomes.

The Better Business Cases Certification is a strategic and systematic approach to developing a sturdy business case, which is essential for professionals involved in project planning, management and delivery. This course is valuable for Project Managers, Business Analysts, Financial Planners and Senior Management Professionals. Mastering this skill allows professionals to create business cases that can address investor concerns and provide clear value proposition, driving organisational success.

The 5-day Better Business Cases Certification provided by The Knowledge Academy is split between Foundation and Practitioner levels, equipping delegates with practical and theoretical knowledge. Delegates will be able to apply the Five Case Model by the end of the course and will be confident in initiating, developing and presenting comprehensive business cases.

Course Objectives

• To justify project interventions through comprehensive analysis
• To tailor business case proposals to address investor concerns
• To apply theoretical knowledge to real-life case scenarios
• To understand the Five Case Model and its application
• To improve financial planning and resource allocation
• To minimise risks and optimise investment returns
• To align projects with organisational objectives
• To develop a strategic business case

Upon completing the course, delegates will be awarded certifications at both Foundation and Practitioner levels, demonstrating their ability to effectively develop, plan, and present investment-worthy business cases using the Five Case Model.

The following pre-course reading will be e-mailed to you as a PDF document. Please ensure you have the right software available to read/extract a PDF file. The pre-course reading takes 8-10 hours to perform and consists of the following:

1. Better Business Case® Workbook Pre-course study
2. Green Book Guidance on Public Sector Business Cases Using the Five Case Model

In addition, delegates will be required to complete a MINIMUM of 1 hour of homework each evening.

Better Business Cases™ is a trademark of His Majesty's Treasury. All rights reserved.

What's included in this Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Training Course?

• Better Business Cases™ Foundation Examination
• Better Business Cases™ Practitioner Examination
• World-Class Training Sessions from Experienced Instructors
• Better Business Cases™ Foundation Certificate
• Better Business Cases™ Practitioner Certificate
• Digital Delegate Pack

Better Business Cases™ Foundation Exam Information

The Better Business Cases™ Foundation exam certifies an individual's grasp of the Better Business Cases™ methodology for business case development. based on the five case model, it ensures projects offer value for money and strategic alignment. 

• Question Type: Multiple Choice  
• Total Questions: 50   
• Total Marks: 50 Marks   
• Pass Marks: 50%, or 25/50 Marks  
• Duration: 40 Minutes  
• Open Book/ Closed Book: Closed Book