NEW RELEASE - PDF EDITION
NEW RELEASE - PDF EDITION
Approval-Ready
Business Cases
Approval-Ready
Business Cases
Business Cases
A practical 5-step guide to building stronger business cases for boards, executives and CFOs
Build business cases that are clearer, stronger and more credible before they reach decision-makers.
Approval-Ready Business Cases is a practical guide for professionals, managers, consultants, project leaders, sponsors, executives and finance teams who need to develop, review or present business cases.
It gives you a structured approach for turning an idea, opportunity, project or investment into a decision-grade recommendation.
Early Release PDF Edition now available.
Strong cases. Confident decisions. Better outcomes.
Many business cases are not rejected because the idea is poor.
They are sent back because the case is not ready.
The numbers may be unclear. The options may be weak. The assumptions may be hidden. The benefits may be vague. The risks may be generic. The implementation pathway may not be credible. Or the approval request may not be clear enough for the CFO, executive team, board or sponsor to make a confident decision.
This book helps you avoid those problems.
It shows you how to build a business case that explains:
- why action is needed
- which options have been considered
- which option is recommended
- what value will be created
- what it will cost
- what risks must be managed
- how implementation will occur
- how benefits will be realised
- what decision is required
A stronger business case does not guarantee approval. It gives decision-makers the structure, evidence and confidence needed to make a better decision.
What this book helps you do
Approval-Ready Business Cases gives you a practical framework to develop business cases that can withstand serious decision-maker scrutiny.
You will learn how to:
- confirm the opportunity before jumping to a solution
- develop credible options and avoid the single-solution trap
- evaluate options using value, risk, affordability and deliverability
- connect the business case model to the financial analysis
- build stronger assumptions, scenarios and sensitivity analysis
- develop a credible implementation strategy
- define benefits realisation and benefit ownership
- frame the recommendation for boards, executives, CFOs and sponsors
- prepare a clear approval request and decision pathway
- use AI responsibly to accelerate business case development without weakening judgement
The 5 Step Framework for approval-ready business cases
The book is built around Chase Consulting’s practical 5 Step Framework.
Step 1: Confirm the opportunity
Clarify the problem, opportunity, risk or strategic need before developing options. Define the strategic logic, confirm the case for change and establish the business case roadmap.
Step 2: Analyse and shortlist the options
Avoid the single-solution trap. Develop the longlist, establish screening criteria, create the shortlist and prepare the option set for evaluation.
Step 3: Evaluate the options
Model how each option creates value. Test financial performance, assumptions, risk, scenarios and sensitivities. Identify the initial preferred option.
Step 4: Develop the implementation strategy
Show how the preferred option will be implemented, governed, resourced, risk-managed and translated into realised benefits.
Step 5: Draw the options conclusion and approval pathway
Confirm the recommended option, frame the case for approval, prepare the approval-ready document, develop the decision pack and present the business case for decision.
Across all five steps, the book emphasises the importance of socialisation with stakeholders and decision-makers.
Business cases are not just written. They are developed, tested, challenged, refined and socialised.
Step 1: Confirm the opportunity
Clarify the problem, opportunity, risk or strategic need before developing options. Define the strategic logic, confirm the case for change and establish the business case roadmap.
Step 2: Analyse and shortlist the options
Avoid the single-solution trap. Develop the longlist, establish screening criteria, create the shortlist and prepare the option set for evaluation.
Step 3: Evaluate the options
Model how each option creates value. Test financial performance, assumptions, risk, scenarios and sensitivities. Identify the initial preferred option.
Step 4: Develop the implementation strategy
Show how the preferred option will be implemented, governed, resourced, risk-managed and translated into realised benefits.
Step 5: Draw the options conclusion and approval pathway
Confirm the recommended option, frame the case for approval, prepare the approval-ready document, develop the decision pack and present the business case for decision.
Across all five steps, the book emphasises the importance of socialisation with stakeholders and decision-makers.
Business cases are not just written. They are developed, tested, challenged, refined and socialised.
What’s inside the book
Part 1: The 5 Steps for Approval-Ready Business Cases
A practical explanation of the full business case journey, from confirming the opportunity through to approval.
Part 2: Specific Techniques for Stronger Business Cases
Practical techniques for managing the business case as a project, developing strategic logic, designing options, building a CFO-credible business case model, preparing financial analysis, planning benefits realisation, presenting the case and using AI responsibly.
Part 3: Business Case Examples and Applications
Business case application summaries across common use cases, including market expansion, digital transformation, cybersecurity, capital equipment, customer experience, grant funding, local government, climate change and social impact.
Appendices
Practical reference material including an essential business case dictionary, acronyms and abbreviations, approval-ready checklist, decision-maker questions and guidance on applying the 5 Step Framework in practice.
Key Concepts Index
A quick reference index to help you locate important topics such as assumptions, base case, benefits realisation, financial analysis, NPV, risk, scenario analysis, sensitivity analysis, strategic logic and value for money.
A practical explanation of the full business case journey, from confirming the opportunity through to approval.
Part 2: Specific Techniques for Stronger Business Cases
Practical techniques for managing the business case as a project, developing strategic logic, designing options, building a CFO-credible business case model, preparing financial analysis, planning benefits realisation, presenting the case and using AI responsibly.
Part 3: Business Case Examples and Applications
Business case application summaries across common use cases, including market expansion, digital transformation, cybersecurity, capital equipment, customer experience, grant funding, local government, climate change and social impact.
Appendices
Practical reference material including an essential business case dictionary, acronyms and abbreviations, approval-ready checklist, decision-maker questions and guidance on applying the 5 Step Framework in practice.
Key Concepts Index
A quick reference index to help you locate important topics such as assumptions, base case, benefits realisation, financial analysis, NPV, risk, scenario analysis, sensitivity analysis, strategic logic and value for money.
Who this book is for
This book is for people who need to develop, review, approve, guide, teach or assess business cases.
It is especially useful for:
Whether you are preparing a small internal improvement case or a major investment recommendation, this book will help you structure the thinking, evidence and decision logic behind the business case.
It is especially useful for:
- business case leads
- project managers
- program managers
- consultants
- sponsors
- executives
- CFOs and finance teams
- strategy and transformation teams
- board-facing professionals
- government and public-sector professionals
- postgraduate business students
Whether you are preparing a small internal improvement case or a major investment recommendation, this book will help you structure the thinking, evidence and decision logic behind the business case.
Why approval-ready matters
A business case is not simply a document.
It is a decision document.
It helps people with authority, accountability and budgetary oversight decide whether to commit scarce organisational resources.
An approval-ready business case should enable decision-makers to say:
with confidence.
That is the standard this book is designed to help you meet.
It is a decision document.
It helps people with authority, accountability and budgetary oversight decide whether to commit scarce organisational resources.
An approval-ready business case should enable decision-makers to say:
- yes
- no
- not yet
- yes, with conditions
with confidence.
That is the standard this book is designed to help you meet.
What makes this guide different
This is not a generic business case template.
It is a practical guide to the thinking, structure and decision logic behind stronger business cases.
The book combines:
It is designed to help you build business cases that are not only better written, but better thought through.
It is a practical guide to the thinking, structure and decision logic behind stronger business cases.
The book combines:
- a clear 5 Step Framework
- board, executive and CFO decision-making logic
- practical examples and consulting insights
- financial analysis guidance
- implementation and benefits realisation disciplines
- decision-maker questions and approval-readiness checklists
- responsible guidance on using AI to accelerate business case development
It is designed to help you build business cases that are not only better written, but better thought through.
Early Release PDF Edition
Approval-Ready Business Cases. A Practical 5-Step Guide to Building Business Cases for Boards, Executives and CFOs
New Release PDF Edition
Price: $49
Buy Now
After purchase, you will receive access to download the PDF.
New Release PDF Edition
Price: $49
Buy Now
After purchase, you will receive access to download the PDF.
About the author
Craig Peacock, PhD, CMC, FAICD is the Director of Chase Consulting and Founder of My Business Case Hub®.
Craig is a business case specialist, consultant, educator and experienced board director. He has extensive experience helping organisations develop approval-ready business cases for boards, executives, CFOs, sponsors and funding bodies.
His work focuses on strengthening the strategic logic, financial credibility, strategic alignment, implementation confidence and approval readiness of business cases.
Through Chase Consulting, Craig has worked with organisations across sectors and industries to develop business cases, facilitate workshops, build decision-ready recommendations and improve business case capability.
Through My Business Case Hub®, he has created AI-assisted tools, templates and resources to help professionals build stronger business cases faster.
His work focuses on strengthening the strategic logic, financial credibility, strategic alignment, implementation confidence and approval readiness of business cases.
Through Chase Consulting, Craig has worked with organisations across sectors and industries to develop business cases, facilitate workshops, build decision-ready recommendations and improve business case capability.
Through My Business Case Hub®, he has created AI-assisted tools, templates and resources to help professionals build stronger business cases faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a printed book or a PDF?
- This is currently available as an Early Release PDF Edition. You can download the PDF immediately after purchase.
Can I print the PDF?
- Yes. The PDF may be printed for your personal use.
Can I share the PDF with my team?
- No. The PDF is licensed for personal use by the purchaser. Team, corporate and education licences are available on request.
Is this book only for large business cases?
- No. The framework can be applied to small, medium and large business cases. The level of analysis should be proportionate to the size, risk and importance of the decision.
Is this book suitable for consultants?
- Yes. The book is useful for consultants who help clients develop business cases, investment recommendations, options analysis, financial logic, implementation pathways and approval-ready documents.
Is this book suitable for CFOs and executives?
- Yes. The book is written for both the people developing business cases and the people reviewing them. It explains what decision-makers need to see before they can approve a recommendation with confidence.
Does the book include financial analysis?
- Yes. The book includes guidance on financial analysis, cost-benefit analysis, discounted cash flow, assumptions, scenarios, sensitivity analysis, optimism bias, value for money and financial metrics such as NPV, IRR and payback period.
Does the book include examples?
- Yes. The book includes practical examples, consulting insights and business case application summaries across multiple business case types.
Can this book help me use AI to write business cases?
- Yes. The book includes a section on using AI responsibly to accelerate business case development. It explains how AI can help, where human judgement is still required, and how to maintain quality and accountability.
Build stronger business cases
Business cases are where strategy, finance, implementation and governance come together.
When they are weak, decisions are delayed, challenged or sent back.
When they are approval-ready, decision-makers can act with greater confidence.
Approval-Ready Business Cases gives you the framework, techniques and practical guidance to build stronger cases and support better decisions.
When they are weak, decisions are delayed, challenged or sent back.
When they are approval-ready, decision-makers can act with greater confidence.
Approval-Ready Business Cases gives you the framework, techniques and practical guidance to build stronger cases and support better decisions.
