What Is Capital Budgeting Business Case?

A Business Case (not to be confused with a Business Plan) is a document, typically an Excel-based financial model, that outlines the potential costs, (financial and non-financial) benefits, risks, return, and payback period of a proposed capital investment. For clarity, a Business Case is sometimes referred to as a Capital Budgeting Business Case or Capital Investment Business Case.

A Business Case is typically used by organizations to evaluate the feasibility and potential return on investment of a capital project, such as the construction of a new factory or the acquisition of a new piece of equipment. It is an important tool for ensuring that organizations make informed decisions about their capital investments, and that they are able to generate a positive return on those investments.

Business Case Development requires a number of skills, including:

• Analytical skills: Developing a Business Case involves analyzing a range of data and information in order to understand the potential costs, benefits, and risks of a proposed project or investment. This requires strong analytical skills, including the ability to collect, organize, and interpret data, and to identify patterns and trends.

• Financial skills: It also requires the evaluation of the potential financial impact of a proposed project or investment. This requires knowledge of financial concepts and techniques, such as cost-benefit analysis, net present value, and return on investment—and the ability to use these concepts to make informed decisions.

• Communication skills: The potential costs, benefits, and risks of a proposed capital project must be communicated to a range of stakeholders, including executives, managers, and other decision makers. This requires strong communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and concisely, to present complex information in a simple and easy-to-understand manner, and to persuade others of the value of the proposed project or investment.

• Problem Solving skills: Developing a Business Case often involves identifying and addressing challenges or obstacles that may arise during the project. This requires strong Problem Solving skills, including the ability to think creatively, to identify and evaluate potential solutions, and to make decisions based on incomplete or uncertain information.

If a capital project has been justified by the Business Case (both financially and non-financially) and receives the go-ahead from executives, the Business Case financial model is then continuously maintained and adjusted to track the project's progress against the initial financial projections and assumptions. This Business Case financial model then becomes a working document used during the Project Management process.