PJM 6005 Lesson 1 Homework Assignment: Writing A Business Ca

Pjm 6005 Lesson 1homework Assignment Writing A Business Case For A Ca

PJM 6005 Lesson 1 Homework Assignment: Writing a Business Case for a Case Study Project In order to complete each of the homework assignments for this course, you will need to identify and describe and plan a project of your choosing. Your selected project can be either a personal or professional example , but please do not choose a project you have used for any other class or project, or that you are currently working on in your professional work. Your case study project should be unique to you and not previously used by you or anyone else. To help you select your project, consider that you must know or be able to research enough about this project that you will be able to identify (at least at a high level) the following: · The likely reason the project was undertaken (what business problem(s) the project was supposed to solve) · At least 10 stakeholders · At least 10 key features, functions, or characteristics of the project’s output · Approximately how much the project is supposed to cost (high level) · Approximately how long the project is supposed to take · At least 5 risks associated with the project · What other possible projects could satisfy the same need It is acceptable to identify only part of a larger project (for example, a particular phase or sub-project). Hint #1: if you’re debating whether a project is too big or small for this assignment, review the Business Case outline provided on the next two pages. If you’re not able to fairly easily provide the information the Business Case outline requires for your project, then you should consider a different project. Hint #2: run an internet search on “tips for writing a business case†and see what you find! There is a significant amount of information online. Specifically, you may find the following websites useful – but there are many others as well: · · · YOUR WEEK 1 ASSIGNMENT: Based on lecture materials for course week 1 and the template provided on the next pages, write a Business Case for your project. Remember, a Business Case is a proposal! Write the Business Case as if the project has not yet begun (even if the project you’ve chosen as your case study already has started, or has even finished.) Also, this assignment is to be completed individually. Do not seek assistance from (or provide assistance to) other students either in selecting your case study or in writing this Business Case. Doing so will be considered unauthorized collaboration and will result in a failing grade for this assignment. Once completed, save your files using the following filename convention: Lesson 1 HW – [your last name].doc Once finished, upload your completed file to the course website using the link on the week 1 assignment page (where you downloaded this file.) Good luck! Business Case and Project Proposal: [Your Proposed Project Name Here] (Note: the text in RED is designed to help you write your Business Case. Please remove all red text before submitting your assignment.) 1. Business Background · In this section, use 2 to 3 paragraphs to explain the current situation that has prompted this project proposal. In other words, “tell the story†about where this proposed project has come from: what problems, needs, or situation has caused us to consider this project at this time? 2. Business Requirements · Using the guidelines and examples contained in this week’s lecture material and readings, write at least 3 specific BUSINESS requirements for this proposed project. · Recall that a business requirement is a clear statement of the CAPABILITY we need to have (the problem to be solved), and isn’t focused on a particular solution. Even if your case study project has already started (or has finished), remember that a Business Case is written during the project initiation phase – so, if this were a ‘real world’ business case, the project wouldn’t have actually started yet (we wouldn’t necessarily know the project had already been approved.) · Try writing your business requirement statements so that they begin with the phrase “we require the capability to …†in order to avoid identifying a specific solution (the next section focuses on the specific solution.) 3. Description of Proposed Project/Solution · In this section, describe the specific PROJECT you’ve chosen for your case study. At a minimum, describe at least 5 key features, functions, or characteristics the output of this project will have. (If you described this project verbally in a conversation, how would you describe it?) Although not required, you may find using a bulleted list to be helpful. 3.1 Solution Benefits · Describe at least 3 benefits associated with this project, and at least 1 of your 3 benefits must be expressed in monetary terms. 3.2 Project Stakeholders · Describe at least 10 project stakeholders. A stakeholder is a person with an interest in the project. Have a brief description of their role and high-level responsibilities in the project. 3.3 Solution Costs · Describe at least 3 costs associated with this project, and at least 1 of your 3 costs must be expressed in monetary terms. 3.4 Solution Risks · Using the Risk Identification syntax included in this week’s lecture materials (“due to the fact that…there is a risk that…which would result in…â€), identify at least 5 risks associated with this project. · For each risk you identify, also indicate whether you believe the risk has high, medium, or low impact to the proposed project if the risk occurs. 4. Analysis of Alternatives · In this section, identify and describe at least 2 other potential projects or solutions that could also satisfy the business requirements you listed in section 2 of this Business Case. · What are some of the costs, benefits and risks associated with each alternative? Why is your proposed project (your case study) a better project to pursue than the other alternatives? 5. Final Recommendation · In this section, briefly summarize whether you believe your proposed project (your case study) should be approved for initiation, and why.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The process of justifying a new project through a comprehensive business case is fundamental in ensuring that stakeholders understand the value, risks, and strategic alignment of proposed initiatives. A well-crafted business case provides a clear rationale for initiating a project by systematically outlining the background, requirements, proposed solutions, alternatives, and recommendations. This paper presents a detailed business case for a hypothetical project: a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system implementation for a mid-sized sales organization. The proposed project aims to improve customer engagement, streamline sales processes, and enhance data analytics capabilities, ultimately driving revenue growth and operational efficiency.

Business Background

The current sales organization relies heavily on disparate manual processes, outdated spreadsheets, and siloed communication channels that hinder the timely and effective management of customer relationships. As the business has grown, the lack of an integrated system has resulted in inconsistent data, delayed follow-ups, and missed sales opportunities. Management has recognized the need for a centralized CRM platform to unify customer data, automate routine tasks, and provide actionable insights. This need is further underscored by increasing competition in the marketplace and the company's strategic goal to expand its customer base while improving customer satisfaction. The current situation not only limits sales productivity but also impairs data-driven decision-making, exposing the company to risks of inefficiency and lost revenue.

Business Requirements

Based on the identified issues, the following business requirements have been established:

  1. We require the capability to consolidate all customer information into a single, accessible database to ensure consistency and accuracy in sales and service activities.
  2. We require the capability to automate routine sales and customer service tasks to increase productivity and reduce manual errors.
  3. We require the capability to generate real-time analytics and reports to support strategic decision-making and performance monitoring.

Description of Proposed Project/Solution

The proposed solution involves implementing a comprehensive CRM system tailored to the needs of the sales organization. Key features and characteristics include:

  • A centralized database that stores all customer interactions, contact details, and transaction history.
  • Automated workflows for lead management, follow-up reminders, and task assignments.
  • Dashboards that display real-time sales performance, pipeline status, and customer engagement metrics.
  • Mobile access to enable sales representatives to update and retrieve information in the field.
  • Integration capabilities with existing email and marketing platforms to streamline communication channels.

Solution Benefits

  1. Enhanced customer satisfaction through timely and personalized communication, leading to increased sales conversions.
  2. Improved operational efficiency by automating repetitive tasks, freeing sales personnel to focus on high-value activities.
  3. Cost savings of approximately $50,000 annually by reducing manual data entry and minimizing data errors.

Project Stakeholders

The following are key stakeholders involved in the CRM implementation project:

  • Sales Manager – Responsible for overseeing the sales team and ensuring the system meets sales needs.
  • IT Department – Handles technical setup, integration, and ongoing support.
  • Customer Service Representatives – Use the CRM to access customer data and resolve issues.
  • Marketing Team – Integrates campaign data and tracks marketing effectiveness.
  • Financial Department – Assesses budget, costs, and financial impacts.
  • Vendor/Software Provider – Supplies the CRM platform and technical support.
  • Sales Representatives – Primary users of the CRM for managing customer interactions.
  • Executive Leadership – Approves the project and monitors overall progress.
  • Training Department – Responsible for user training and change management.
  • External Consultants – Provide specialized expertise in CRM deployment and best practices.

Solution Costs

The major costs associated with this project include:

  1. CRM licensing fees, estimated at $20,000 annually.
  2. Implementation and customization costs, approximately $30,000 as a one-time expense.
  3. Training and change management, estimated at $10,000.

Solution Risks

Following the risk identification framework, the potential risks are as follows:

  1. Due to the fact that the existing IT infrastructure is outdated, there is a risk that system integration will be delayed, which could result in project timeline overruns. Impact: High.
  2. Due to the fact that user resistance may occur, there is a risk that adoption rates will be lower than expected, which could reduce the system’s effectiveness. Impact: Medium.
  3. Due to potential vendor delays, there is a risk that the implementation will face setbacks, risking the project’s timeline and budget. Impact: High.
  4. Due to insufficient training, there is a risk that users will not utilize the system effectively, leading to lower ROI. Impact: Medium.
  5. Due to cybersecurity vulnerabilities, there is a risk that sensitive customer data may be compromised, resulting in legal and financial repercussions. Impact: High.

Analysis of Alternatives

Alternative solutions include the purchase of a pre-built CRM platform with minimal customization and the enhancement of existing manual processes through targeted automation tools. The first alternative offers faster deployment and lower initial costs but lacks tailored features and integration capabilities, which may compromise long-term effectiveness. The second alternative focuses on incremental improvements to manual processes, which is less transformative and may not meet the strategic goals of unification and analytics. Compared to these, the proposed comprehensive CRM implementation, although more costly upfront, provides an integrated, scalable solution aligned with strategic objectives, with benefits including improved data accuracy, automation, and user experience, ultimately justifying the investment.

Final Recommendation

Based on the analysis, the proposed CRM system implementation is recommended for approval. It aligns with strategic business objectives of improving customer engagement, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making. The anticipated benefits, despite associated risks and costs, justify proceeding with the project. Proper risk mitigation strategies, including stakeholder engagement, vendor management, and comprehensive training plans, will be essential to maximize project success.

References

  • Bardhan, I. R., & Kabir, S. (2014). How do organizations use enterprise systems for strategic benefits? The role of organizational agility. Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 23(2), 124-142.
  • Davenport, T. H. (1998). Putting the enterprise into the enterprise system. Harvard Business Review, 76(4), 121-131.
  • Hill, C. W. L., & Jones, G. R. (2012). Strategic Management Theory: An Integrated Approach. Cengage Learning.
  • Kroenke, D. M. (2015). Using MIS (2nd ed.). Pearson.
  • Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2020). Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm (16th Ed.). Pearson.
  • Marston, S., Li, S., Bandyopadhyay, S., Zhang, J., & Ghalsasi, A. (2011). Cloud computing—The business perspective. Decision Support Systems, 51(1), 176-189.
  • Shaul, L., & Tauber, D. (2018). Understanding and managing project risks through systematic analysis. International Journal of Project Management, 36(4), 491-508.
  • Turban, E., Volonino, L., & Wood, G. (2015). Information Technology for Management. Wiley.
  • Watson, H. J., & Wixom, B. H. (2007). The current state of business intelligence. Computer, 40(9), 96-99.
  • Zwass, V. (2010). Commerce 2.0: Strategic opportunities and challenges. Journal of Business Strategies, 27(2), 45-60.

Related Assignments