# Business case: [Initiative]

**Sponsor:** [Name]  
**Author:** [Name]  
**Version:** 1.0  
**Status:** Draft / For decision / Approved / Rejected  
**Decision required by:** YYYY-MM-DD

## Executive summary

- **Decision requested:** [Approve, reject, fund, or authorize what?]
- **Recommended option:** [Option]
- **Investment:** [One-time and recurring cost]
- **Expected benefit:** [Measurable outcome and timing]
- **Main risk:** [Risk]
- **Next step if approved:** [Action]

## Problem or opportunity

[Describe the current situation using evidence.]

### Baseline and cost of doing nothing

| Measure | Current value | Source | Expected without action |
|---|---:|---|---|
| [Measure] | [Value] | [Source] | [Forecast] |

## Objectives and strategic fit

| Objective | Strategic priority supported | Measure | Target | Date |
|---|---|---|---:|---|
| [Objective] | [Priority] | [Metric] | [Value] | YYYY-MM-DD |

## Constraints and assumptions

| Type | Statement | Evidence or source | Owner | Validation date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constraint | [Fixed limit] | [Source] | [Name] | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Assumption | [Belief] | [Source or gap] | [Name] | YYYY-MM-DD |

## Options considered

Include a “do nothing” or “continue current approach” baseline.

| Option | Description | Cost | Benefit | Time | Risk | Feasibility |
|---|---|---:|---:|---|---|---|
| 0 | Do nothing | [Value] | [Value] | [Time] | [Risk] | [Assessment] |
| 1 | [Option] | [Value] | [Value] | [Time] | [Risk] | [Assessment] |

## Recommended option

[Name the option and explain why it performs best against the agreed criteria.]

## Costs

| Cost | One-time | Annual recurring | Internal effort | Confidence | Source |
|---|---:|---:|---:|---|---|
| [Cost item] | [Value] | [Value] | [Hours or value] | Low/Medium/High | [Source] |

## Benefits

| Benefit | Baseline | Target | Value | Benefit owner | Measurement date | Method |
|---|---:|---:|---:|---|---|---|
| [Benefit] | [Value] | [Value] | [Financial or non-financial value] | [Name] | YYYY-MM-DD | [Method] |

## Financial summary

- Evaluation period: [Years]
- Total estimated cost: [Value]
- Total quantified benefit: [Value]
- Net benefit: [Benefit − cost]
- ROI: `((benefit - cost) / cost) × 100`
- Payback period: [Time]
- Discount rate or method, if used: [Method]

## Risks and sensitivities

| Risk or variable | Base assumption | Downside case | Impact | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Variable] | [Value] | [Value] | [Effect] | [Action] |

## Delivery outline

- Accountable owner: [Name]
- Start and decision gates: [Dates]
- Major dependencies: [List]
- Procurement or legal requirements: [List]
- Benefit tracking cadence: [Cadence]

## Decision

| Approver | Decision | Date | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Name or role] | Approve / Reject / Revise | YYYY-MM-DD | [Conditions] |

> Validate financial calculations with the responsible finance team. This template is a decision aid, not financial, accounting, or legal advice.