How to Win Leadership Support When Building Your Business Case

1. Figure out what matters to your leadership team

The first step to building a solid business case and winning leadership support is understanding exactly what matters to your leadership team.

Take the time to research their background and experience and learn what topics they care about, what kind of decisions they tend to make, and what questions they ask. This research will give you insight into what is needed to get their approval. Your next step is to use this knowledge to create a clear, concise, and persuasive business case that addresses their needs and interests.

Finally, make sure to accurately identify and quantify the benefits that will come from the proposed project. The more tangible the benefits are, the more likely you will win leadership support.

2. Align the business case to the strategic plan

Ensuring that the business case opportunity is aligned with the organization's strategic goals is crucial when commencing the business case.

This is best accomplished by analyzing the options against the corporate plan and then building a business case that addresses how the project's desired outcome will help achieve those goals. This can be done through strategic logic analysis.

Once the business case is aligned with the organization's goals, it can be used to gain buy-in from upper management and other stakeholders.

3. Analyze the data to prove your case

After you've identified the problem and put together a proposed solution, the next step is to analyze the data for each option to prove your case. This is where you can flex your analytical muscles and present your case effectively and compellingly.

Before starting, you should have at least three options and ensure you have all the data you need to support your recommendation. If you're presenting a case to leadership, they'll likely want to see hard evidence and proof points. So ask yourself what the data says and whether it supports your case.

Once you've done the analysis, it's time to start putting together the presentation. Make sure you highlight the key findings and provide actionable insights that will demonstrate the potential of your solution. A well-structured presentation that clearly outlines your case will be much more convincing than one full of numbers and charts.

4. Frame the business case to make a compelling argument

Once you have identified the key reasons why your project is a priority for the organization, you need to frame the business case in such a way that it makes a compelling argument for why it should be funded and supported.

You should focus on the areas of why we need to do this now, value, cost, risk, and timing. Make sure to include data to back up your statements and provide a clear picture of how the project aligns with the organization's goals and objectives. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your expertise in the area and to show leadership that you have considered the various angles and have created a thoughtful, viable solution.

5. Socialize your business case with the leadership team.

To effectively communicate your business case to leadership and convince them of the value of the project, it is essential to have robust socialization plan. Being able to effectively communicate your business case to leadership and convince them of the value of the project is a crucial skill for any professional. It can be challenging to know how to communicate your case in a way that resonates with decision-makers and encourages them to move forward.

When communicating your business case, it is essential to fully explain the project and how it will benefit the organization. We use the strategic logic framework to frame the business case for the leadership team. Check out the Business Case Masterclass for our next workshop to learn more!

6. Confidently present that business case

Once you've done your homework and gathered all the evidence to support your case, it's time to confidently present it to your team and leadership. This is the time to show off your research and knowledge.

Make sure you are well-versed in all the key points of your case and be prepared to answer any questions that may arise. Have visuals ready to support your recommendation and emphasize the return on investment. Be deliberate and clear with your words and express the benefits of your proposed case. Be confident but also open to feedback and be ready to adjust your presentation depending on the feedback you're receiving.


In conclusion, if you want to win the support of your leadership team and build a successful business case, you must ensure you have a strong foundation of facts and data. You must also be able to identify and explain the key benefits your proposed solution will have for the organization.

By developing a thorough and compelling business case, you can effectively demonstrate the potential value of your proposal, ensure alignment with strategy, and win the approval of your leadership team.

The Business Case Masterclass Program

The Business Case Masterclass is a three-workshop program designed to develop your business case skills and expertise.

The leadership team and stakeholders want to know how projects, innovations and investments will make money.

The Business Case Masterclasswill help you build a stronger business case by providing you with the knowledge, resources and tools you need to develop your capabilities.

• The first workshop is our Business Case Foundations to give you a solid foundation for developing the business case.
• The second workshop is Financial Analysis in Business Cases for determining the investment and financial value of the business case.
• The third workshop is Developing Persuasive Business Cases, documents, pitch decks and presentations.

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