Building a credible business case
Develop the foundational skills to build effective, evidence-based business cases in the public sector
A worthwhile idea will not secure support on its merits alone. Decision-makers need clear evidence of the need, expected benefits, costs, risks, implementation requirements and public value. Without these elements, even a promising proposal may be difficult to assess or approve. This foundational course helps you understand how public sector business cases are structured and evaluated. You will develop practical skills to gather evidence, assess costs and benefits, identify risks and present a clear implementation pathway aligned with government and agency expectations.
Key learnings
- Define problems, objectives and options for investment decisions.
- Gather evidence, assess costs, benefits and risks.
- Structure persuasive business cases aligned with government requirements.
Who this course is for
APS 4 to EL1 staff, or equivalent, who contribute to, prepare or review business cases and want to build a strong understanding of their essential components.
This course provides the foundations for developing a clear and credible business case. It complements Develop an effective business case, which builds on these fundamentals by exploring strategic alignment, options analysis, stakeholder engagement and the evidence needed to develop a persuasive case for investment.
Are you responsible for developing or contributing to business cases within your agency or department?
Would your work benefit from building foundational skills to prepare business cases that align with the expectations of the Commonwealth or ACT Government, including internal budget committees, finance areas, and central agencies?
Strong business cases are essential for securing support, funding, and progressing policy or program proposals in the public sector. This course provides the skills and knowledge to ensure your business cases follow best practice and demonstrate sound financial management. If you’re starting out or want a structured refresher, this course is for you.
This foundational course will help you understand the key components of a public sector business case and how to structure and communicate your proposal clearly and persuasively.
Through practical exercises, public sector case studies, and peer discussions, you will develop the tools to align your business case with agency, ministerial, and whole-of-government requirements.
- Understand the purpose of business cases in the ACT and Commonwealth public sector and how they relate to broader investment frameworks (e.g. PGPA Act, ACT Treasury Investment Framework).
- Identify the key stages of business case development and the documentation required for approvals, including how they relate to Gateway Review processes, where applicable.
- Gather and assess relevant data and evidence to support your proposal.
- Estimate project costs, resource requirements, and funding needs.
- Prepare a basic cost-benefit analysis to demonstrate public value and return on investment.
- Identify and assess risks and outline appropriate mitigation strategies.
- Structure a business case to meet internal stakeholder needs, including executive leadership, finance areas, central agencies, and ministers.
- Develop a practical implementation plan, covering timelines, governance, and delivery responsibilities.
Planning to book for a team? A bulk booking discount is available when you register three or more participants or bundle three or more courses.
Many of our courses can also be delivered exclusively for your organisation, either virtually or in person, and tailored to suit your team’s needs. Contact us to discuss your booking and available options.
If you would like to learn more about this course or our other offerings, please contact the IPAA ACT team on 02 6154 9800 or capability@act.ipaa.org.au.
Strategy and Design
Course details
Delivery This course is delivered over two half days using Microsoft Teams.
Cost $499
Time 9AM - 1PM each day
Contact usEarly bird pricing
Cost $424.15
Bulk registrations and bundles
Cost $399
Contact us
