CPD · Business professionals
Writing a one-page business case
A short, honest case that a decision-maker can act on.
about this course
What you will be able to do
A short, honest case that a decision-maker can act on.
- State the problem, given a scenario, in two sentences with a number.
- Compare three options, given data, with cost, benefit and risk for each.
- Recommend one option, given the comparison, with a reason and a first step.
- Edit the page, given a checklist, to one page with no jargon.
Task, condition and standard
Task
Write a one-page business case that states the problem in two lines, compares three options including do nothing, cites sources, recommends one option with its main risk and gives a dated next step.
Condition
Given a scenario, a data sheet, a one-page layout and a checklist, working in a three-hour supervised session.
Standard
Produce one page with every part present, each number sourced or marked as an estimate, a clear reason for the recommendation, the main risk with a plan, and no jargon.
These courses teach process, communication and recording. They give no clinical, legal, tax, financial or engineering sign-off. A named subject expert must review every line, and you must check your own professional body's current CPD rules, before you rely on a certificate.
sessions
8 modules
Module 1 The one-page shape 15 min
- Six parts on one page
- A decision-maker reads it in minutes
- Cut what does not help the decision
Practise: Practise with a case card or template for "the one-page shape": state the problem, given a scenario, in two sentences with a number.
Standard to meet. Describe the one-page shape of a business case, listing the parts it must contain and keeping it to a single page.
Module 2 Problem and options 25 min
- Two lines with a number
- Always include do nothing
- Name each option clearly
Practise: Practise with a case card or template for "problem and options": compare three options, given data, with cost, benefit and risk for each.
Standard to meet. State a problem in two lines and set out the options, including a do-nothing option as the baseline for comparison.
Module 3 Costs and benefits with sources 25 min
- List cost and benefit per option
- Cite the source of each number
- Mark guesses as estimates
Practise: Practise with a case card or template for "costs and benefits with sources": recommend one option, given the comparison, with a reason and a first step.
Standard to meet. List costs and benefits for each option and cite where each number came from, marking any guess as an estimate.
Module 4 Recommendation and main risk 20 min
- Reason in one line
- Most likely or most harmful risk
- Dated next step
Practise: Practise with a case card or template for "recommendation and main risk": edit the page, given a checklist, to one page with no jargon.
Standard to meet. Recommend a course of action with the reason for it, and state the main risk with a plan to reduce it, plus a dated next step.
Module 5 Practice and feedback 10 min
- Write from a case
- Read the feedback list
- Correct the gap
Practise: Run one full practice round for "writing a one-page business case" on a case card or template: work through each outcome in turn (state the problem; compare three options; recommend one option; edit the page).
Standard to meet. Write a practice page on a case such as a second delivery van, then use the feedback to correct any missing part.
Module 6 Check 5 min
- Tick each point
- Fix before passing on
- One page only
Practise: Take the end check for "writing a one-page business case": show that you can edit the page, given a checklist, to one page with no jargon, and meet every outcome standard above.
Standard to meet. Check a finished page against the list of parts, sources, risk and length, then correct any gap before it is passed on.
Module 7 Second case: replace 12 laptops now or later 45 min
- Work case card 2
- Compare now, later and do nothing
- Write the page
Practise: Practise with a case card or template for "second case: replace 12 laptops now or later": edit the page, given a checklist, to one page with no jargon. Use a new case this time (round 2).
Standard to meet. Write the one-page case for the 12 laptops, comparing replacing now, replacing in a year and doing nothing, with sources, a recommendation and the main risk.
Module 8 Teach-back and peer check 35 min
- Present your page in two minutes
- Peer checks the six parts
- Answer one challenge question
Practise: Practise with a case card or template for "teach-back and peer check": edit the page, given a checklist, to one page with no jargon. Use a new case this time (round 2).
Standard to meet. Present your finished page in two minutes and answer one challenge question so that a peer can confirm all six parts, the sources and the risk plan.
practice
Worked example and case cards
Worked example layout
Problem (2 lines); options A, B, do nothing; costs and benefits with sources; choice and why; main risk and the plan for it; next step with date.
Case card
a firm considers a second delivery van.
Case card 2
Replace 12 old laptops now or in a year. Learners write the page.
checks
10 check questions with model answers
Why include "do nothing"?
Model answer: It is the baseline option. (Covered in module 2: Problem and options. To pass that module: State a problem in two lines and set out the options, including a do-nothing option as the baseline for comparison.)
Cite what?
Model answer: Where each number came from. (Covered in module 3: Costs and benefits with sources. To pass that module: List costs and benefits for each option and cite where each number came from, marking any guess as an estimate.)
How long?
Model answer: One page. (Covered in module 1: The one-page shape. To pass that module: Describe the one-page shape of a business case, listing the parts it must contain and keeping it to a single page.)
Biggest risk to state?
Model answer: The one most likely or most harmful, with a plan. (Covered in module 4: Recommendation and main risk. To pass that module: Recommend a course of action with the reason for it, and state the main risk with a plan to reduce it, plus a dated next step.)
Why name sources?
Model answer: So the reader can check them. (Covered in module 3: Costs and benefits with sources. To pass that module: List costs and benefits for each option and cite where each number came from, marking any guess as an estimate.)
How many options?
Model answer: Usually three, including do nothing. (Covered in module 2: Problem and options. To pass that module: State a problem in two lines and set out the options, including a do-nothing option as the baseline for comparison.)
What belongs under risk?
Model answer: The biggest threat and how to reduce it. (Covered in module 4: Recommendation and main risk. To pass that module: Recommend a course of action with the reason for it, and state the main risk with a plan to reduce it, plus a dated next step.)
How long is the page?
Model answer: One page. (Covered in module 1: The one-page shape. To pass that module: Describe the one-page shape of a business case, listing the parts it must contain and keeping it to a single page.)
What if numbers are guesses?
Model answer: Mark them as estimates. (Covered in module 3: Costs and benefits with sources. To pass that module: List costs and benefits for each option and cite where each number came from, marking any guess as an estimate.)
Cost is 24,000 and the yearly net benefit is 9,000. What is the payback in years?
Model answer: 24,000 / 9,000 = about 2.7 years. (Covered in module 3: Costs and benefits with sources. To pass that module: List costs and benefits for each option and cite where each number came from, marking any guess as an estimate.)
glossary
Words used in this course
option, cost, benefit, estimate, recommendation.
marking
How the practice and assessment are marked
| Level | Meaning | Marks of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Secure | Meets the standard in the outcome every time, no prompts | 4 |
| Meeting | Meets the standard with one small slip, corrected when prompted | 3 |
| Developing | Meets part of the standard; needs a re-attempt | 2 |
| Not yet | Standard not met | 1 |
Pass = average 3 or more, and no outcome at 1. You may re-attempt after feedback. The subject expert sets any stricter pass mark.
where next
Ladder L1 to L7, slide by slide with notes
This course sits at L4 Practitioner. Credits stack; aligned with, not accredited by, any framework.
jobs this leads to
Where this takes you
- Business analyst
- Project coordinator
- Operations officer
- Management trainee
- Office manager
assessment and certificate
How you are checked
Each outcome is checked against its standard with a checklist or a short test. A digital CPD record shows the hours. Keep evidence in My page. Aligned with common CPD practice; not accredited. Learners check their own body's rules.
ten locations and global
Your place
Use your own body's forms, units and currency. Local professional bodies set the rules for CPD hours; check them first.
India (Bengaluru)
Language: English, Hindi, Kannada. Personal data: Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023. Credit and levels: National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) and the national credit framework.
Netherlands (Eindhoven area)
Language: Dutch, English. Personal data: EU GDPR (Dutch: AVG), supervised by the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens. Credit and levels: the Dutch qualification framework (NLQF) linked to the European Qualifications Framework.
UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
Language: Arabic, English. Personal data: Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 (personal data protection). Credit and levels: the emirate education and training regulators (for example KHDA in Dubai) and the national qualifications framework.
Brazil (Sao Paulo)
Language: Portuguese (Spanish and English support). Personal data: LGPD (Lei Geral de Protecao de Dados). Credit and levels: the national technical-education catalogue and the national S-system training bodies.
Canada (Toronto)
Language: English, French. Personal data: PIPEDA, with provincial rules where they apply. Credit and levels: the provincial colleges framework and the national credential-recognition guidance.
United States
Language: English, Spanish. Personal data: state privacy laws (for example California), and COPPA for children under 13. Credit and levels: state and community-college credit systems.
Singapore
Language: English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil. Personal data: Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). Credit and levels: the Singapore national skills frameworks and the national credit system.
Australia
Language: English. Personal data: the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. Credit and levels: the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) levels.
Hong Kong (Eastern Asia)
Language: Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin), English. Personal data: the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. Credit and levels: the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework.
Georgia and Israel (Western Asia)
Language: Georgian, Hebrew, Arabic, English. Personal data: the personal data law of the country where the learner lives. Credit and levels: the national qualifications framework of that country.
Cayman Islands (Caribbean)
Language: English. Personal data: the Data Protection Act. Credit and levels: the local education and training framework.
Mexico
Language: Spanish, English. Personal data: the federal law on personal data held by private parties. Credit and levels: the national competency certification system and the education ministry levels.
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Draft
Draft CPD course. It opens only after final checks. No fee is shown.