Business Case Writing Stakeholder Management and Communication 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When tailoring a business case for a US board of directors, the writer should prioritize:
- Detailed technical specifications
- Shareholder value, ROI, and strategic alignment (Correct answer)
- Vendor comparison tables
- IT architecture diagrams
Correct answer: Shareholder value, ROI, and strategic alignment
US boards are primarily focused on financial returns, risk exposure, and whether the initiative aligns with corporate strategy.
Question 2: A stakeholder map is used in business case development to:
- Draw the office floor plan
- Visualize stakeholder influence, interest, and relationships (Correct answer)
- Calculate project costs
- Schedule project milestones
Correct answer: Visualize stakeholder influence, interest, and relationships
A stakeholder map provides a visual overview of who the stakeholders are, how much influence they have, and how they relate to each other.
Question 3: Which technique helps a business case writer uncover hidden stakeholder concerns before final submission?
- Skipping the review cycle
- Conducting pre-submission stakeholder interviews (Correct answer)
- Submitting anonymously
- Using only quantitative data
Correct answer: Conducting pre-submission stakeholder interviews
Pre-submission interviews allow the writer to surface and address concerns before the formal review, increasing the likelihood of approval.
Question 4: In business case writing, 'change management implications' are typically addressed to:
- Document IT system changes only
- Describe how the organization will adapt and what support is needed (Correct answer)
- List regulatory changes
- Outline budget amendments
Correct answer: Describe how the organization will adapt and what support is needed
Change management in a business case outlines how people, processes, and culture will be managed during and after implementation.
Question 5: An effective business case recommendation section should:
- Present all options equally without a clear preference
- State a specific preferred option with a clear rationale (Correct answer)
- Delegate the decision entirely to the reader
- Focus only on non-financial factors
Correct answer: State a specific preferred option with a clear rationale
Decision-makers expect the author to commit to a recommendation supported by the analysis, rather than leaving the choice entirely open.
Question 6: When a business case includes a communication plan, it typically specifies:
- Employee salary information
- Audience, message, frequency, and channel for each stakeholder group (Correct answer)
- Vendor contract terms
- Legal disclaimers only
Correct answer: Audience, message, frequency, and channel for each stakeholder group
A communication plan maps out what information each stakeholder group needs, how often, and through which channels.
Business Case Writing Stakeholder Management and Communication 2
When tailoring a business case for a US board of directors, the writer should prioritize: