Sample Business Case Template (Page 3 of 18) in pdf

Sample Business Case Template Page 3

Section

Executive Summary

[Project Name]

Purpose of an Executive Summary:

The reason for writing an Executive Summary is to provide a concise summary of the key highlights of the business

case. The reader should be able to understand what the project is about, the role of the project in the department’s

business plan/direction, and the business justification of the project. The reader should understand how the project

improves the overall efficiency and/or effectiveness of the government.

Description:

While the Executive Summary appears at the beginning of a business case, it is written last.

The Executive Summary will describe the objective of the project, the current state of the problem and the resulting

opportunity. It outlines the scope of the project in general terms, and briefly describes the competitive environment i.e.,

what other government jurisdictions and/or corporations are doing. The Executive Summary also provides a brief

description of the business impact, and the risks of undertaking the project. Finally, it concludes with recommendations

and the financial impact of the project. This summary should also be written with the media in mind as this is often the

only part of a report that the media read. The Executive Summary is also often used to prepare a press release.

The summary should be a maximum of 2 pages in length.

Checklist for Executive Summary:

1. Will the reader get a clear understanding of the reasons for the project and its outcome by outlining the “Why,

What, When, Who, and How” of the project?

2. Does it contain any information that is not contained in the body of the business case? (should not)

3. Is the Executive Summary less than 2 pages?

4. Can the Executive Summary be treated as a stand-alone document?

BUSINESS CASE – [PROJECT NAME]

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Sample Business Case Template Page 3