Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Course Overview

The Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Course is designed to develop a strong understanding of how to prepare, develop, and evaluate business cases using the HM Treasury’s Five Case Model. It equips professionals with the knowledge and tools to justify investment decisions and support strategic planning with evidence-based business cases.

This structured framework is widely adopted across public and private sectors to ensure that business cases are robust, transparent, and aligned with organisational priorities. Learners will explore how to apply the Five Case Model to different types of proposals, from strategic outline cases to full business cases, while addressing aspects such as value for money, affordability, risk, and deliverability.

By completing the Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Certification, professionals will be able to apply a consistent, best practice approach to business case development—supporting effective investment decisions, stakeholder confidence, and measurable outcomes

Learning Outcomes


After completing the Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Course, learners will be able to:

• Understand the purpose, structure, and principles of the HM Treasury Five Case Model
• Develop business cases that demonstrate strategic fit, value for money, and affordability
• Apply the Five Case Model to different types of investment proposals and contexts
• Identify and assess options, risks, and delivery plans within a structured case format
• Support effective decision-making and governance through clear, evidence-based justification
• Contribute to improved investment outcomes and stronger accountability within organisations

 

Prerequisites of the Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Course


There are no formal prerequisites for the Foundation section of the course. However, to continue to the Practitioner section of the course, candidates must successfully pass the Better Business Cases™ Foundation Examination.


Who should attend this Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Course?


This Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Course is beneficial for individuals who wish to learn the fundamentals of Business Case Management and how to apply the Better Business Case methodology. This training course is beneficial for these professionals:

•    Business Analysts
•    Project Managers
•    Programme Managers
•    Portfolio Managers
•    Finance Professionals
•    Change Managers
•    Compliance Officers

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Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction

  • Why Better Business Cases?

  • Case for a Business Case

  • Project Success or Failure?

  • Putting the Right Foot Forward

  • Public Sector Delivery

  • What is a Project?

  • What is a Programme?

  • Links to Recognised Best Practice Programmes and Project Management Methodologies

  • Programme or Project?

  • Types of Programme

  • Alignment with Strategic Planning

  • Importance of the Business Case using the Five Case Model

Module 2: Five Case Model

  • Overview of the Five Case Model

  • Importance of the Business Case using the Five Case Model

  • Strategic Case

    • Demonstrates

    • Challenges

  • Contents of the Strategic Case

  • Economic Case

    • Demonstrates

    • Challenges

    • Contents of the Economic Case

  • Commercial Case

    • Demonstrates

    • Challenges

    • Contents of the Commercial Case

  • Financial Case

    • Demonstrates

    • Challenges

    • Contents of the Financial Case

  • Management Case

    • Demonstrates

    • Challenges

    • Contents of the Management Case

Module 3: Programme and Project Business Case

  • Advantages of the Programme Business Case

  • Advantages of the Project Business Case

  • When Should a Business Case be Developed?

  • Planning for Spending Proposals

  • Key Steps in Developing the Programme Business Case

  • Project Business Case Development Process

Module 4: Determining the Strategic Context and Undertaking the Strategic Assessment

  • Overview

  • Strategic Assessment

  • Related Activities

  • Stages of Business Case Development

    • Strategic Outline Case

    • Outline the Business Case

    • Full Business Case

  • Development of the Business Case

  • Business Justification Case

  • What is Programme Assurance?

  • What is Project Assurance?

  • Responsibility for Producing the Business Case

Module 5: Making the Case for Change

  • Agree on Strategic Context

  • Determine Spending Objectives, Existing Arrangements, and Business Needs

  • Generic Drivers for Spend

  • Determine Potential Business Scope and Service Requirements

  • Determine Benefits, Risks, Constraints, and Dependencies

  • Each Spending Objective

Module 6: Exploring the Preferred Way Forward

  • Agree Critical Success Factors (CSFs)

  • Determine Long List Options and SWOT Analysis

  • Options Framework

  • Using the Options Framework

  • Drafting the Long List

  • Recommended Preferred Way Forward

  • Complete the Strategic Outline Case

Module 7: Determining Value for Money (VFM)

  • Project Level Business Case

  • Revisit the Short-List

  • Prepare the Economic Appraisals for Short-Listed Options

  • Relevant Costs for Economic Appraisals

  • Estimating Benefits for the Economic Appraisals

  • Valuing Costs and Benefits

  • Presenting the Economic Appraisals

  • Undertake Benefits Appraisal

  • Undertake Risk Appraisal

  • Select the Preferred Option and Undertake a Sensitivity Analysis

  • Sensitivity Analysis

  • Final Selection of the Preferred Option

Module 8: Preparing for the Potential Deal

  • Determine Procurement Strategy

  • Determine Service Streams and Required Outputs

  • Outline Potential Risk Apportionment

  • Outline Potential Payment Mechanisms

  • Pre-Delivery Phase

  • Operational Phase

  • Extension Phase

  • Ascertain Contractual Issues and Accountancy Treatment

Module 9: Ascertaining Affordability and Funding Requirement

  • Prepare Financial Models and Financial Appraisals

  • Financial Modelling

  • Impacts to Consider

  • Assessing Affordability

  • Closing Affordability Gaps

Module 10: Planning for Successful Delivery

  • Plan Programme or Project Management

  • Programme Roles

  • Programme Plan

  • Project Plan

  • Use of Specialist Advisers

  • Plan Change Management and Contract Management

  • Plan Benefits Realisation

  • Benefits Resister

  • Plan Risk Management

  • Risk Register

  • Plan Programme/Project Assurance and Post Project Evaluation

Module 11: Procuring the VFM Solution

  • Revisit the Case for Change

  • Revisit the OBC Options

  • Detail Procurement Process and Evaluation of BAFOs

Module 12: Contracting for the Deal

  • Set Out the Negotiated Deal and Contractual Arrangements

  • Set Out the Financial Implications of the Deal

Module 13: Ensuring Successful Delivery

  • Finalise Project Management Arrangements and Plans

  • Finalise Change Management Arrangements and Plans

  • Finalise Benefits Realisation Arrangements and Plans

  • Finalise Risk Management Arrangements and Plans

  • Finalise Contract Management Arrangements and Plans

  • Finalise Post Project Evaluation Arrangements and Plans

  • Review the Business Case: SOC, OBC, and FBC

  • Steps and Actions for Preparation of Programme and Project Business Cases

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What’s Included

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Better Business Cases™ Foundation & Practitioner Course Schedule

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What do i get for £3625

  • 16 hours course
  • Mock exams
  • Exams included, taken online
  • Immediate access for 90 days
  • Certificates on completion
  • Exercise files
  • Personal performance tool
  • 24/7 Support
  • Track your teams progress
  • Downloadable resources & fun Challenges
  • Ai assistant
  • Train in the comfort of your home
  • Interactive course
  • Compatible on mobile, tablet and desktop
  • Scenario based learning
  • Bookmarking ability
  • Note taking facilities

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Frequently Asked Questions?

You’ll learn how to develop, review, and present business cases using the internationally recognised Five Case Model. The course equips you with a structured approach to making investment decisions that deliver strategic value and long-term benefits.

This course is ideal for Project And Programme Managers, Finance Professionals, Business Analysts, Policy Advisors, and anyone involved in preparing or assessing business cases in public or private sector environments.

The Foundation level covers the key concepts, roles, and structure of the Five Case Model. The Practitioner level focuses on applying the model in real scenarios—enabling learners to create and assess robust business cases effectively.

Yes, Better Business Cases™ complements frameworks like PRINCE2®, MSP®, and MoP® by strengthening the justification phase of investments. It ensures that all change initiatives are supported by compelling, well-structured business cases.

Absolutely. The framework is used widely in government, healthcare, education, finance, and infrastructure—any sector where investment decisions must be justified, transparent, and aligned with strategic goals.

The course covers strategic outline cases, outline business cases, and full business cases. You’ll learn how to evaluate options, assess risks, and justify investments based on cost-effectiveness, affordability, and value for money.

It’s a respected certification, particularly valued in the public sector and by organisations that require structured investment appraisals. It demonstrates your ability to support strategic planning and financial accountability.

Professionals such as Business Case Writers, Investment Appraisers, Programme Managers, Policy Developers, Finance Officers, and strategic planners benefit from applying this structured approach to investment justification and governance.

It positions you as a skilled decision-support professional, increasing your value in strategic planning and investment governance. This can lead to roles with greater responsibility, influence, and earning potential.

They bring consistency, rigour, and accountability to investment decisions. Certified professionals help ensure that business cases are clear, evidence-based, and aligned with organisational priorities—leading to better outcomes and stronger stakeholder confidence.

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Related Courses

Better Business Cases™ Foundation Course

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Better Business Cases™ Practitioner Course

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