Minimum viable business case that still passes
Over-engineered cases waste time. Underdeveloped cases stall or fail. The goal is balance: enough evidence to make a confident, defensible decision without creating months of paperwork.
What decision makers need to see
- Problem: What you are solving and why it matters now.
- Options: Credible alternatives considered before a recommendation.
- Value: Expected benefits compared with costs.
- Delivery: Risks, dependencies, and capability to execute.
- Evidence: How success will be measured and reported.
The minimum that works
Clarity.'s OnePlan helps you assemble a lean but defensible case. At minimum, include:
- Problem clarity: Define the need with user or market evidence and explain the urgency.
- Options considered: Show a do-nothing, a do-minimum, and at least one viable alternative before your preferred option.
- Value vs cost: Put benefit estimates against cost ranges so the trade-off is explicit.
- Risk and delivery plan: Name the major risks and owners, outline delivery approach, and note key dependencies.
- Decision summary: Use the Value Map Framework to present the WHY, WHAT, HOW, and NOW on one page.
Keep evidence proportional
Match the depth of analysis to the maturity of the decision.
- Early stage: Clear problem, a few credible options, indicative costs/benefits, top risks.
- Mid stage: Shortlist comparison with ranges and sensitivities, draft delivery approach, living risk register.
- Late stage: Confirmed choice, detailed economics, commercial arrangements, integrated plan, benefits realisation approach.
Common pitfalls
- Vague problem statements with no measurable outcome.
- Only presenting the preferred option; no real alternatives.
- Risk lists without owners or review cadence.
- Benefits described as aspirations with no baselines.
- Analysis heavier than the stage requires.
Make approval easy
A consistent one-page summary avoids confusion, speeds up reviews, and leaves a clear audit trail. It helps decision makers move quickly because the trade-offs are visible and the next step is explicit. This is how Clarity. makes confident choices simple for everyone—fast to read, easy to defend, ready to act.