Better Business Cases™ Foundation Course

What does the course cover?

Benefits

Benefits for the individual

Taking an APMG Better Business Cases™ Foundation course can offer several benefits for students:

• Enhanced Skills: The course provides students with a structured approach to business case development, equipping them with the skills necessary to create robust, comprehensive, and convincing business cases. These skills are highly valuable in various professional settings.
• Increased Employability: Certification in Better Business Cases™ demonstrates proficiency in a globally recognised framework for business case development. This can enhance a student’s resume and make them more attractive to employers seeking individuals with strong analytical and decision-making abilities.
• Improved Decision-Making: Students will learn how to evaluate and analyse proposed projects or initiatives’ feasibility and potential benefits. This knowledge can enable more informed decision-making within organisations, leading to better resource allocation and increased project success rates.
• Standardised Approach: The course teaches a standardised approach to business case development, ensuring consistency and quality across projects within an organisation. This can help streamline processes, reduce errors, and promote alignment with organisational objectives.
• Networking Opportunities: Participating in the course can provide students with opportunities to network with professionals in their field who are also interested in business case development. Networking can lead to valuable connections, mentorship opportunities, and potential career advancement.
• Professional Development: Completing the course demonstrates a commitment to professional development and continuous learning, which can be attractive to employers and can contribute to long-term career growth and advancement opportunities.

Our Better Business Cases™ Foundation course can provide students with valuable skills, credentials, and opportunities that can enhance their career prospects and contribute to their professional development.

Benefits for an organisation

Having employees who are certified in the Better Business Cases™ Foundation course can provide several benefits to an organisation:

• Better Allocation of Resources: Certified employees are equipped with structured methodologies for developing business cases, enabling them to make more informed decisions regarding project investments. This can lead to better resource allocation and an increased likelihood of project success.
• Enhanced Business Case Quality: Certified employees understand how to create comprehensive and convincing business cases that accurately assess proposed projects’ feasibility and potential benefits. This leads to higher-quality business cases, which are essential for securing funding and approval for projects.
• Increased Efficiency: With standardised processes and methodologies in place, organisations can streamline the business case development process. This can result in faster decision-making and reduced time-to-market for projects.
• Risk Mitigation: Certified employees are trained to identify and assess risks associated with proposed projects, enabling the organisation to make more informed risk management decisions. This reduces the likelihood of project failures or cost overruns and enhances the organisation’s ability to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Alignment with Organisational Objectives: By using a standardised approach to business case development, certified employees ensure that proposed projects align with the organisation’s strategic objectives and priorities. This alignment helps the organisation focus its resources on initiatives that will deliver the greatest value and impact.
• Competitive Advantage: Organisations with Better Business Cases™ Foundation-certified employees have a competitive advantage in the marketplace. They can demonstrate to stakeholders, investors, and customers that they have a comprehensive and disciplined approach to project investment decisions, enhancing their credibility and reputation.
• Professional Development Culture: Supporting employees in obtaining certification demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to professional development and excellence. This can boost employee morale, engagement, and retention, as employees feel valued and supported in their career growth.

Having Better Business Cases™ Foundation-certified employees can contribute to more effective decision-making, improved project outcomes, and a stronger competitive position for the organisation.

Course details

The Better Business Cases™ methodology is written by the UK Government Treasury in conjunction with the Welsh Government. It is well tried and tested and has been designed to lead to “quicker and cheaper business decisions” for organisations.

The course and examination are based on ‘The Five Case Model’, the UK Government’s best practice approach to planning spending proposals and enabling effective business decisions.

This provides a step-by-step guide to developing a business case by:

• Establishing a clear need for intervention – a case for change.
• Setting clear objectives – what you want to achieve from the investment.
• Considering a wide range of potential solutions – ensuring an optimal balance of benefits, cost and risk.
• Putting the arrangements in place to successfully deliver the proposal.

The online course typically takes 10 to 15 hours, covering notetaking, exercises, and exam practice.

Assessment is conducted through an objective multiple-choice examination comprising 50 questions, to be completed within a 40-minute timeframe.

Course format

You will get six months of access to our online Better Business Cases™ Foundation course, which has engaging videos, exercises, downloadable resources, and a dedicated exam practice module complete with sample questions.

Structured into five modules, the course comprehensively covers all essential topics outlined in the Better Business Cases™ Foundation syllabus. The modular format enables learners to advance at their preferred pace, and revisit topics as needed for deeper comprehension.

Once you have mastered the training materials, you can use the exam practice module to evaluate your knowledge with a diverse range of sample exam questions.

You can schedule your official online exam when you feel confident and prepared. All you need is a computer, webcam, and internet connection. Simply book your exam via our site.

Course contents

Module 1

The introductory session of the Better Business Cases™ Foundation Course will enable you to:

• Understand the importance of the business case.
• Recognise the type of business case that should be required for an investment.
• Describe the ‘Five Case Model’.
• Describe the fit between Better Business Cases™, best practice assurance and approvals.

Module 2

Module 2 of the Better Business Cases™ Foundation course will help you understand the reality of the ‘current situation’.

This is designed to help you understand the importance of having a well-thought-out business case and why this will help your organisation make better investment decisions.

This session will set the scene for the following sessions, in which you will examine the ‘Five Case Model’, the types of business cases required, the business case development process, and how better business cases fit with best practices and assurance.

Module 3

The third module investigates the ‘Five Case Model’, where you will look at the five key elements that should make up an effective business case.

The five key elements are:

• The Strategic Case – which answers the compelling case for change.
• The Economic Case – this looks to optimise value.
• The Commercial Case – which looks to ensure that the deal is achievable and attractive.
• The Financial Case – demonstrates that the spending proposal is affordable.
• The Management Case – which shows how the proposal can be delivered successfully.

Module 4

The fourth module will look at the types of business cases that Better Business Cases™ recommends:

• The Strategic Outline Programme (SOP)
• The Business Justification Case (BJC)
• The Strategic Outline Case (SOC)
• The Outline Business Case (OBC)
• The Full Business Case (FBC)

Module 5

Module five focuses on the business case development process suggested by Better Business Cases™. This process consists of several steps and multiple actions within each step.

There are 10 steps you will work through and within those 10 steps, 35 actions that you would take to help develop an effective business case.

The business case development process is split into four stages, which are:

• Stage 0 – Determining a strategic policy or Programme through preparing the SOP.
• Stage 1 – Scoping the scheme and preparing the SOC.
• Stage 2 – Planning the scheme and preparing the OBC.
• Stage 3 – Procuring the solution and preparing the FBC.

Module 6

This module considers the way Better Business Cases™ fits with other best practices and assurance including:

• PRINCE2 for Project Management.
• Managing Successful Programmes for Programme Management.
• The Gateway Review Process for reviews and approvals.

Course includes

Six months of online access to the Better Business Cases™ Foundation course, including:

• Five modules covering the Better Business Cases™ Foundation syllabus.
• An exam practice module.
• Downloadable documents.
• Sample questions.
• The official Better Business Cases™ Foundation examination.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the APMG Better Business Cases™ Foundation training, you will:

• Understand the principles and concepts of the Better Business Cases™ methodology.
• Gain familiarity with the ‘Five Case Model’ and its application in developing business cases.
• Learn to identify and evaluate strategic options for addressing business needs or opportunities.
• Understand how to assess the financial viability of proposed projects using cost-benefit analysis.
• Develop skills in risk assessment and management within the context of business case development.
• Learn to create comprehensive business cases that align with organisational objectives and stakeholder needs.
• Understand the importance of stakeholder engagement and communication in the business case development process.
• Gain insight into the role of business cases in project governance, decision-making, and investment management.
• Learn best practices for reviewing and presenting business cases to secure approval and funding for projects.
• Develop an understanding of the benefits realisation process and the importance of monitoring and evaluating project outcomes.

Accreditation information

Training ByteSize is an accredited APMG Better Business Cases™ Foundation training provider.

This means that all our course materials have been evaluated to ensure they meet APMG standards, and we are authorised to administer the APMG Better Business Cases™ Foundation exam as outlined in our accreditation.

FAQs

What level of qualification is the Better Business Cases™ Foundation course?

The Better Business Cases™ Foundation course is typically considered an entry-level qualification. It provides foundational knowledge and skills in the principles and practices of business case development, particularly within the context of public sector projects. This course introduces participants to the Better Business Cases™ framework, helping them understand how to develop and evaluate robust business cases for investment decisions.

The Better Business Cases™ Foundation is mapped to the SFIA Framework:

• This certification confirms (endorsement): Generic attribute Knowledge up to level 3, Feasibility Assessment level 3
• This certification would be useful for (development): Same as above plus Feasibility Assessment level 4, Methods and Tools level 3

Does the Better Business Cases™ Foundation certification expire?

The Better Business Cases™ Foundation certification does not expire. Once you’ve obtained the certification, it remains valid indefinitely, indicating that you have acquired the foundational knowledge and skills in developing better business cases. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that best practices and methodologies in business case development may evolve over time.

Therefore, individuals holding this certification may benefit from staying updated on industry trends, changes in methodology, and emerging practices through continuing education, professional development, or refresher courses.

Is the course right for me?

Target audience

Training in APMG Better Business Cases™ Foundation can benefit a wide range of individuals and roles within an organisation, including:

• Project Managers: Project managers are responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and delivery of projects. Training with the Better Business Cases™ Foundation course equips them with the skills needed to develop robust business cases for proposed projects. This helps to ensure alignment with organisational objectives and secure necessary funding and resources.
• Business Analysts: Business analysts play a key role in gathering and analysing requirements for projects. Training in Better Business Cases™ provides them with a structured approach to evaluating the feasibility and potential benefits of proposed projects, enabling them to make well-informed recommendations to stakeholders.
• Finance Professionals: Finance professionals are often involved in evaluating the financial viability of proposed projects and investments. Training in Better Business Cases™ helps them understand how to assess the financial aspects of business cases, including cost-benefit analysis and financial modelling.
• Senior Executives and Decision-Makers: Senior executives and decision-makers approve project investments and allocate resources within an organisation. Certification in Better Business Cases™ gives them the knowledge and skills to critically evaluate business cases and make informed decisions that align with strategic objectives.
• Policy Makers and Government Officials: Policy makers and government officials are tasked with making decisions about public investments and policy initiatives in government and public sector organisations. This course helps them develop a systematic approach to evaluating the value for money and feasibility of proposed projects and policies.
• Consultants and Advisors: Consultants and advisors who work with organisations to develop business cases or provide strategic advice can benefit from gaining a Better Business Cases™ Foundation certification. It enhances their credibility and equips them with a standardised methodology for guiding clients through the business case development process.
• Project Planning and Investment: This training benefits anyone involved in project planning, investment decisions, or strategic planning within an organisation, beyond specific roles. This includes professionals from various departments such as marketing, operations, IT, and human resources.

Overall, training in APMG Better Business Cases™ Foundation is valuable for anyone involved in project planning, investment decisions, or strategic management within an organisation, regardless of their specific role or function.

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites for taking the Better Business Cases™ Foundation exam. It is designed to be accessible to individuals at various levels of experience and expertise.

Testimonials

“I recently completed the Better Business Case course with Training Bite Size, and I must say it was a fantastic experience. The facilitator, John Humphries, was truly exceptional. His extensive knowledge and diverse experience allowed him to provide valuable insights throughout the course. John’s ability to foster engaging discussions while ensuring that all exam content was covered at a reasonable pace was truly commendable. Thanks to his expert guidance, I was able to pass the challenging exam with confidence. I wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone seeking to enhance their understanding of better business case practices.” – Tim, 5 stars

“We have worked with Training ByteSize for a number of years now. I left one company and successfully implemented their offer into my new role at a major UK University. They have always been flexible in their approach and the learning materials are excellent. I would highly recommend.” – Matt, 5 stars

“Fabulous training course, Terry (trainer) was engaging, had a lot of experience and knowledge of the content and was always happy to explain further if required. Really enjoyed the course!” – Keeley, 5 stars

“Very engaging course, making the subject easily digestible for a complete beginner. I really recommend joining the course in the classroom, it was easy to collaborate and get ideas from those who joined online too.” – Lucy, 5 stars

Exam format

Exam information

The exam comprises of 50 multiple-choice questions. A score of 25 marks out of a possible 50 (50%) is required to pass.

It is a closed-book exam, meaning learners cannot use any revision materials during the exam. Students will have 40 minutes to complete the exam.

Learning path

Better Business Cases™ Practitioner Course

Why study with Training Bytesize?

As experts in delivering project management training through a range of study styles, your success is key to our success. We understand how people learn, we know how to train people to pass exams, we employ the best trainers and specialise in small class sizes to help you get the best from your investment. So, if you’re looking to enhance your project management skills and ensure you pass first time, Training ByteSize is a name you can trust.

As a family run business, project and programme management training is in our blood, and so is innovation. Our founders have been part of the industry since the 1990’s, specifically founding Key Skills and developing the world’s first accredited e-learning course for PRINCE2.

Today we are proud to continue with world firsts; with second generation Victoria at the helm, she had led Training ByteSize to ensure were the first company to develop and deliver e-learning options for accredited courses including Business Analysis Foundation, ITIL4, and AgilePM. When we say we’re experts in project management training, we really do mean it.

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