Does Business Case Writing involve project management concepts?

Yes. It does!

In fact Business Case writing is a mini-project in it's own right as it involves almost all the facets of project execution and  management aspects.

Proposal building, Business Case writing and eventual Project Execution are inter-related to each other. At times Proposals received from different sources (internal/external both) act as input to the business case writing. One of the best proposals makes an entry into the Business Case's recommended option. Further this proposed solution approach/option is then taken for execution.

While the business case is presented in a well structured written document, but it may also sometimes come in the form of a short presentation or even a verbal argument. However, Critical projects' selection is always done through an effective business case writing process.

Business Case is not just a guiding tool for the senior management to decide on a particular project with a recommended solution approach but also it provides for the framework for the selected project's execution. For this very reason, business case writing is very important. Business case writing goes through the proper project management process. Like formal project management, business case takes into consideration effective stakeholder engagement/management, estimation, costing, risk assessment, resources' assessment etc. Effective business case writing relies on Organizational, financial, managerial, technical, human resource, contractual and procurement skills.

A successful business case is expected to meet the organization's strategic, economic, business, financial and feasibility criteria.Like project execution, business case writing also makes use of quality gates as it is also authorized by the appropriate body at each phase of its development. The project is then executed against the success parameters as agreed in and made part of the business case. Business case is referred throughout the project life cycle and not just during the initial project selection phase. During the project execution, senior management always compare the project's current status against the agreed criteria in business case. In case the project is found to be deviating from the agreed terms specified in Business Case, the project may be scrapped or terminated. In short the business case acts as the baseline document for the project execution and hence has to be carefully articulated and written.

Heroes & Heroism - Is it really Good for Organizational Growth in Long Run?

Today lets ponder about a very important and crucial question(s): can the "Main Hoon Na" kind of parachute riding heroes be good contributors to the sustainable organizational growth and if they don't then whose fault is it?.

Many great management gurus have mentioned that its the organized and organizational efforts that help grow and sustain the organizations and not the individual efforts. As per great management guru Peter Drucker, no organization can survive if it needs genius people or supermen to manage it. Instead an effective leadership managing average human beings can do the job.

Now if what Peter Drucker stated above holds true, then the organizations cannot even think of surviving if they are too dependent on their heroes and heroism all the time, leave aside the growth. Heroes help organizations win the defeated battles. But this does not mean that organizations should always afford to keep battling and not think about anticipating the risks (challenges) well in advance and plan mitigation strategies to overcome or avert those risks. Too much dependence on last minute heroic efforts may develop into giving undue importance to the individuals who in turn ensure that such situations are recurring so as to maintain and enhance their importance. Heroes tend to keep all the credits with them and do not share success with or appreciate others for their efforts. It is also observed that these heroes keep their followers or subordinates suppressed and under fear. This continuing for too long makes heroes egoistic and tend to treat the subordinates or colleagues with disrespect. They should not try to manage and manipulate people. This spoils the team spirit in the organization. In long run this is hazardous for organization's growth prospect and sustainability. Top management is on one hand seen as mute spectator while on the other hand is supporting this menace.

The heroes need to be sober, considerate with their colleagues and subordinates and treat others respectfully. They should try to help others to develop themselves to overcome deficiencies and build necessary skills and capabilities. By doing this they can help organizations with increased skill inventory and bench strength to help them take on difficult challenges or look for bigger growth opportunities. Companies should guide heroes to try to lead and inspire people. Companies should provide necessary help and support to all its employees including heroes and provide them secured learning environment to develop team spirit. Companies should inspire heroes and help them develop leadership. Organization should provide an healthy environment where heroes develop themselves into leaders and these leaders inspire others to become heroes and tomorrow's leaders.

Disclaimer: The above views are personal and should be read in generic terms