An invented number is worse than no number
A business case that quietly smooths over a missing figure looks polished right up until a decision-maker asks where it came from. Labeling every number as provided, estimated, or a placeholder needing input is what makes a case survive scrutiny instead of falling apart under one question.
What it does
- Two formats, picked by stakes. A one-page version for a fast, low-stakes ask, or a formal document with NPV, ROI and payback for a capital committee — you say which, or it asks.
- Half-page exec summary. Problem, recommendation, cost, benefit, payback, and the ask — nothing buried further down.
- Do-nothing always included. Plus at least two real alternatives, each with cost, benefit and risk stated — and the specific reason it lost, not "not selected."
- Every figure labeled.
[PROVIDED],[ESTIMATED — basis], or[PLACEHOLDER — needs input]— never blended together as if equally certain. - Benefits need a measurement method and an owner. A claimed benefit with neither doesn't make it into the case unqualified.
- Sensitivity stated. What the recommendation looks like if benefits land 30% lower than projected.
- Corporate filler banned outright. "Leverage," "synergy," "unlock value," "move the needle" and the rest of the list fail the draft — along with any benefit stated with no number, method or owner attached.
Example
Illustrative, not a real business case.
Idea: automate manual expense approval. Currently costs ~15 hrs/week of admin time. No hard cost figures yet. Sponsor: Finance Director.
COSTS Admin time saved: 15 hrs/week [PROVIDED]. Hourly cost basis: [PLACEHOLDER — needs input from Finance to convert to $]. BENEFITS TABLE Reduced approval cycle time — non-financial, [ESTIMATED — basis: avg 3 days → 1 day based on comparable automations], owner: Finance Director.
How it works with Claude
A 10-minute one-off install into Claude.
Give it the problem, proposal, and whatever figures you have.
Get the full case back, ready for sponsor review.
FAQs
What options should a business case always include?
"Do nothing," plus at least two real alternatives, each assessed for cost, benefit and risk — a business case that only presents one option isn't actually making the case.
How are figures the user doesn't have handled?
Every number is labeled provided, estimated with its basis stated, or placeholder needing input — a business case built on invented figures is worse than one that honestly flags what's missing.
Does it always produce a long formal document?
No — it picks between a one-page version for a fast, low-stakes ask and a formal document with NPV, ROI and payback for a capital committee, based on the spend and how reversible the decision is. When that's unclear, it defaults to the one-pager, since it's easier to expand than to cut down.