1. Business cases, portfolio, and strategy
Strategy as a business case:
Strategy as a change agent for a portfolio. Strategies define initiatives that will change the portfolio; each should have its own business case: different funding sources, individual rather than collective measurement, stakeholders can choose the most valued option, may reject a strategy but implement elements
Business cases should reflect the strategy structure: design a business case for each initiative or scenario for comparative purposes
2. Quantify the value of a strategy
Value of a strategy is how well it supports the purpose and vision and enables the achievement of the desired outcome
Business case shows how the organization achieves its vision, purpose…
Document the following:
3. Communicating the business case
Communicating the strategy to stakeholders who are expected to implement it is different from communicating the business case to those who are expected to fund it
Ensure the right person gets the right information
4. Intended audience
Business cases enable key decision makers to approve, reject or modify a course of action, not to raise general awareness of the strategy
The audience of business cases should include:
The audience is defined by the scope of the initiative or strategy
5. Timing
Reflect the timing of initiatives and the strategy review cycles
Business cases must indicate the start and finish of the initiative and the measurable checkpoints in between
Each business case must be reviewed each time the strategy is reviewed
If a business case is rejected, the strategy will need to be changed to reflect that
Always review business cases after the initiative has already shown operational success
6. Format
Executive summary: high-level view of the business case
Introduction
Statement of the problem: clear, straightforward statement of the problem being solved
Analysis: situation behind the problem, provide sufficient details to educate the reader
Discussion of possible options: identify potential solutions to the problem described:
Recommendations: for the project and how it is to be conducted
Details of the chosen option
Conclusion: reminder of why it is essential to address the problem
7. Obtain and manage feedback
Challenging a business case means challenging the strategy upon which it is based
Ensure that stakeholders are involved in defining the strategy in the first place, or in amending it after a business case has been rejected
8. Dealing with resistance
Develop all strategies in concert with one another
Clearly outline the dependencies of other strategies or initiatives on your strategy
Influence, cooperation and education are essential… and often times, not enough
The organization change management practice recommends:
Ensure the most senior executive is seen as the initiator
Go back to ITIL 4 Strategic Leader Certification Course: Creating a Digital Strategy to finish this chapter or to the main page ITIL 4 Strategic Leader Certification Course.
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