Attend this presentation and learn how to improve your business case skills and expand your role to include Business Manager.  A Project Manager who also has business skills and takes the initiative to work with the client in defining and managing the project business case greatly increases his value to the client.  This talk will delve into some key concepts in establishing and managing the business case including value achievement, which is ensuring benefits are realized after project completion.

This presentation will start by reviewing the common reasons organizations carry out projects.  The time value of money and common compound interest formulas will then be covered along with interest rate tables.  Financial analysis techniques will then be reviewed, including Net Present Value (NPV), Return on Investment (ROI), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Payback. Examples will be presented using a simple Excel workbook developed for people who are not familiar with the use of formulas.  This workbook will be made available to members of the NJ PMI Chapter. 

The presentation will then explore typical quantitative and qualitative benefits used to justify projects and discuss the pitfalls in basing the project justification solely on qualitative benefits.  The talk will also discuss the importance of working with the client to define both product and project success criteria; two actual project examples will be reviewed.  The presentation will finish with some suggestions on ensuring and auditing for value achievement after project completion.

Participate in a facilitated session of networking.  We continue with our fast-paced program to Teach networking, expose you to career/business Opportunities and then allow you to Practice what you have learned.  Whether you are looking to land your next job, advance your current career or simply meet new people, mastering the art of networking is very important.  Come and practice your networking skills!

Robert Cranston's handout can be downloaded