Developing Information Systems

4      MAKING A BUSINESS CASE

James Cadle

CONTENTS OF THIS CHAPTER

This chapter covers the following topics:

• the purpose of a business case;
• the business case and the development lifecycle;
• checking feasibility;
• elements of a business case;
• identifying, evaluating and selecting options;
• principles of cost–benefit analysis;
• principles of risk and impact analysis;
• investment appraisal techniques;
• references and further reading.

THE PURPOSE OF A BUSINESS CASE

As Chapter 3 demonstrated, an IT system is not – or should not be – developed for its own sake but because an organisation has a business need that can be met through it. The organisation may wish to lower its operating costs, or improve the customer’s experience or it may need to comply ...