From potential analysis to financial arguments: a framework to win executive support.
Too many strong projects never move forward, and promising initiatives often stall before they are even properly evaluated. The ability to build a rigorous business case and present a compelling rationale is essential to helping decision-makers make informed choices.
This is a skill that can be developed, and this training equips participants to do just that. Whether your objective is to strengthen your analysis, choose the appropriate level of business case detail, support recommendations through financial scenarios, or present a clear and persuasive argument to executive leadership, this training provides a practical framework to guide your efforts. As a result, you will be able to maximize every valid opportunity.
Is it for you ?
Professionals from all departments who are required to present projects or investment proposals to executive leadership, particularly those working in Marketing, R&D, and Sales.
Prerequisites
Basic experience in project management, product development, or organizational decision-making.
Familiarity with fundamental financial concepts such as profitability, return on investment, and cost scenarios.
Previous experience presenting, defending, or justifying a project to executive leadership is recommended.
What You'll Walk Away With
- ✓ Understand project challenges and organizational context to assess opportunities and identify the most promising option.
- ✓ Increase the credibility of your recommendations by demonstrating financial viability and implementation readiness.
- ✓ Deliver relevant information to the right stakeholders in a concise and persuasive manner.
- ✓ Contribute to stronger organizational decision-making by aligning stakeholders around a shared vision.
Training content
1 Defining the business case and determining when to prioritize it
- The key questions a business case is designed to answer
- How the business case evolves over time
- Benefits and common pitfalls
2 The business case within the solution development process
- The business case at various stages of a Stage-Gate style product development process (PDP)
- Confidence level and accuracy of the business case based on its progression in the PDP
3 Choosing the right business case
- Understanding the type of project to evaluate and its risk level
- Adapting the appropriate business case to the situation: simplified or detailed
- Examples of various business case projects
4 Simplified business case
- Key components of the three main sections of a simplified business case
- Essential questions to answer to evaluate project success
- Examples of a simplified business case
- Practical exercise: identifying missing information and questions needed to build a robust business case
5 Detailed business case
- Exploring the content of the three main sections (Vision and Potential, Solution and Financial Analysis, Feasibility, Implementation, and Governance) by identifying information to gather, analyses to perform, and decision-support tools associated with each section
- Reviewing expected deliverables
- Passer en revue les livrables attendus
- Applying the concepts learned: developing and presenting a final recommendation based on a real-world business case
6 Presenting project potential to convince
- Tips and advice for maximum relevance
- Pitfalls to avoid
📌 Practical information
Our training sessions are offered in Montreal or Quebec City, in person or in a virtual classroom. Dates and locations are specified when you select your session below. If you have any questions, check out our FAQ.
