Present the business case in two stages. First, produce a two-page outline. If this “mini business case” survives the first rounds of scrutiny, create a longer document that delves into cost-benefit details.Develop a high-level time line with project milestones. Outline and describe strategies for dealing with and mitigating as many risk factors (including change management and market risks) as possible.Outline three different scenarios (such as best case, worst case and most likely case), including cost, time line and ROI particulars of each. Prepare a multifaceted ROI analysis, including a detailed breakdown of costs (for hardware, software, consulting, training, support and other costs) and cash flow throughout the lifecycle of the project. Include soft benefits. Even if you cannot quantify the soft benefits, you should include them since intangibles often sway the outcome. Identify the type of value the project will deliver. For example, project benefits could be categorized as cost reduction, revenue generation, competitive advantage, risk reduction or regulatory compliance. These categories give decision-makers context that aids in making their decision. Take a portfolio approach. On an annual basis, work with senior management to set targets for IT project types (for example, 50 percent of projects will help run the business, 30 percent will help grow the business, and 20 percent will help transform the business.)-L.G.P. Related content feature Key IT initiatives reshape the CIO agenda While cloud, cybersecurity, and analytics remain top of mind for IT leaders, a shift toward delivering business value is altering how CIOs approach key priorities, pushing transformative projects to the next phase. By Mary Pratt May 30, 2023 10 mins IT Strategy IT Leadership opinion Managing IT right starts with rightsizing IT for value While there are few universals when it comes to saying unambiguously what ‘managing IT right’ looks like, knowing how to navigate the limitless possibilities of IT is surely one. By Thornton May May 30, 2023 6 mins Digital Transformation IT Strategy IT Leadership feature Red Hat embraces hybrid cloud for internal IT The maker of OpenShift has leveraged its own open container offering to migrate business-critical apps to AWS as part of a strategy to move beyond facilitating hybrid cloud for others and capitalize on the model for itself. By Paula Rooney May 29, 2023 5 mins CIO 100 Technology Industry Hybrid Cloud feature 10 most popular IT certifications for 2023 Certifications are a great way to show employers you have the right IT skills and specializations for the job. These 10 certs are the ones IT pros are most likely to pursue, according to data from Dice. By Sarah K. White May 26, 2023 8 mins Certifications Careers Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe