How to Build a Winning Business Case

OVER the years, I've developed several business cases. These cases have taken a number of different forms, depending on the undertaking at hand. However, I've found that a good business case needs to have certain elements to be successful. To my surprise, I've also found that many people have different ideas of what a business case entails, and its purpose. Occasionally, I've had debates with colleagues and clients over this very issue. What follows is a two-part series on business case development, starting with defining the concept and the elements of what makes a winning business case. The second part of the series will put these concepts into action with a real-life example from one of my clients, the topic being arguably one of the most difficult cases to make: the adoption of technical standards. © 2019 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. All rights reserved.