Domain 1 · Objective reference 1B3 · Chapter 6 of 35
Strategic planning, business cases and resources
About 5 minutes · Detailed public baseline effective 2022; the replacement exam starts 3 November 2026 and its exact revised topic/task mapping remains unverified
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Picture the topic
Remember this: A business case connects cost benefit dependency and ownership.
Explore the anchors
State the problem and business consequence.
Concept matching activity
Match this task or description to its concept:
Compare costs benefits and dependencies.
Choose a concept before checking the explanation.
A quick way to study this topic
- Hide the explanation and redraw these three anchors from memory.
- Explain the difference between the anchors in your own words.
- Apply the distinction to the worked example below. Check the full lesson for assumptions and exceptions.
- Recall it again tomorrow, then after a few days. A memory hint is a retrieval cue, not a replacement for understanding.
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What this chapter explains
- Management concept and decision mechanism
- Compare outcomes and total cost
Management concept and decision mechanism
A business case describes the problem, options, assumptions, expected benefit, costs, risks and decision requested. Include continuing staffing, integration, support and assurance rather than only purchase cost. Sequence a roadmap around dependencies and delivery capacity. Benefits realization compares observed outcomes with the agreed baseline after implementation. Budget and schedule performance are useful delivery measures but do not establish that the business risk was reduced. Show sensitivity where uncertain assumptions could reverse the choice, and record the consequences of deferred work so leadership can make an informed tradeoff.
Compare outcomes and total cost
A business case should identify the problem, the affected business outcome, feasible alternatives, expected benefit, cost, assumptions, and the decision required. Include an option to continue with current arrangements so the consequences of inaction are visible. If a requirement is mandatory, evaluate how to meet it rather than treating noncompliance as an ordinary cost-saving choice.
Total cost extends beyond the purchase price. Include integration, migration, training, staffing, support, recurring fees, and eventual retirement. Separate estimates from observed data. Where loss estimates are uncertain, show a reasonable range and explain which assumptions most affect the decision. A precise-looking return figure is not reliable merely because a spreadsheet calculated it.
Worked example
A recovery project completes installation on budget, but benefit acceptance waits for an end-to-end restore against the agreed service objective.
Check your understanding
Why is the lowest purchase price not necessarily the lowest-cost option?
Show explanation
Operating effort, integration, support, transition, assurance and residual consequences can change total cost and benefit.
Source and study boundary
Official syllabus source. The reference identifies the topic being taught. Explanations and examples are original academy material; a topic link does not establish independent approval or sufficient exam mastery.