Business Case Assignment

1. This is an individual assignment and must be completed on your own

2. This is a writing assignment more than a business analysis assignment.
3. A typical business case should be approximately 10 pages in length
Project Due date: June 11th 2015
Optional Early Draft: June 3rd 2015 (get instructor feedback)
The objective of this project is to put together a business plan that sets out the
strategic direction for a company utilizing information technology. The primary
objectives are:
(1) To demonstrate the strategic role of information or IT in business
(2) To make realistic projections of opportunities and risks
(3) To present these in a compelling way that would attract funding and
support from the organization
Scenario
You are the CIO (Chief Information Officer) for Baze University, Abuja. Given the
current budget crisis, you have been tasked with identifying how Information or IT
can be utilized to help reduce the deficit that the University is facing. Your report
will go to the Chancellor and the Board of Regents.
You task
Select an area for analysis, and produce a business case for a proposed change
that will benefit the University.
Focus area
You may select any area within the remit of Baze University. Note you will be
evaluated on the quality of your work rather than the size of opportunity you
identify. Some potential areas you may wish to consider include
Admission and/or enrollment systems
Scheduling of university services
Transportation systems
Payments and transactions
Teaching channels and methods
Research commercialization
Utilization of social networks or online communities
Any other area you think of!
Note that your area could be a way of increasing revenue or reducing costs to
the University.

Business Case
A Business Case justifies a change to be made. It includes a description of the
business problem or opportunity, the costs and benefits of each alternative
solution, and the recommended solution for approval.
The following sections would make a good outline:
1. Executive Summary
a. Issue
b. Recommendation
c. Justification
2. Problem Definition
a. Problem statement
b. Alternatives available
c. Summary of Preferred Alternative
3. Recommended action
a. Organizational Impact
b. Impact on University mission and other services
c. Risks
d. Technology Migration Plan
4. Project Overview: A plan for the transformation
a. Goals and objectives of transformation
b. Success metrics
c. Major Project Milestones
5. Cost Benefit Analysis
a. Impacts on revenue
b. Impacts on costs
c. Comparisons with alternatives
Estimates
You are not expected to know exact numbers for costs etc. but the estimates
should be realistic. Use charts and tables wherever appropriate.