STEP ONE: Understanding the importance and scope of a business case

Plan to succeed with your case

A good case can mean a systems upgrade…but also much more

A successful business case means a better working day because you have improved your digital systems. The setbacks and inefficiencies you suffered before should be gone. However, the good news
doesn’t stop there.

It can be a powerful career move – you are a champion for change. You take problems and solve them with clear solutions. This is something people don’t forget.

For the authors of this guide, it cemented their reputation as trailblazers. It put them in a management position. It gave them new career options that have taken them around the world and seen them give talks at Accountex.

In short, you never know what a good business case for digital transformation
can lead to.

However, we do know what it can prevent.

Thankfully, a good business case helps prevent bad choices from being made.
Some call it “gut instinct”, others “shooting from the hip”; regardless, a hasty software choice often ends in frustration. Maybe even a few tears.

A good business case stops things going wrong

Picking software that you haven’t fully weighed up has serious, systemic repercussions

It means lost time, effort, and money – often thanks to workflow blockers and a mismatch between firm and solution.

How much software is left unused? SME Today found that around 39% of UK organisations don't fully utilise the software they've paid for, with the annual cost of unused SaaS subscriptions reaching up to £10,000 per business.

Why is a business case so effective?

The three most important reasons are communication, support, and measurement.

Communication – it’s a way to
cut through the noise

The busier your firm, the harder it is to champion what you and your team need and why. In this setting, it’s essential to quickly set out the context and value behind what it is you want.

A business case gives leaders a snappy, informative pitch of your proposed solution. It pulls together the background and reasoning into one place.

Support – it’s a way to bring
people on board

If there’s one thing we’ve established above all else, it’s that digital transformation needs support. A champion for change cannot succeed alone.

As you build your business case, you spread the word about your idea. Although you lead the process, others then get a sense of participation, too; they’re not bystanders during a time of change. The result is that colleagues will stand behind your proposition. If you’re successful, this will make transitioning to the new software
much easier.

Measurement – it’s a way
to check success

A business case includes figures that support your proposed change. Any numbers put in front of a decision-maker become the benchmark they'll judge an investment against once the software is purchased.

Despite how that sounds, it’s great news.
You can come back twelve months later and demonstrate the investment delivered. This justifies the spend and builds trust.

Of course, it also paves the way nicely for your next business case.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.