Business Case Assignment
ISM 158, Spring 2011
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: April 28
Optional Early Draft: April 14 (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 UCSC. 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 UCSC. 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
 Self-service opportunities
 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.