Better Business Cases™ Foundation
Upcoming Courses
APMG Better Business Cases™ Foundation Certification
Better Business Cases training and certification is based on the ‘Five Case Model’ – the UK government’s best practice approach to developing spending proposals and enabling effective business decisions. This training is mandatory for all those engaged in developing, reviewing or approving spending proposals for the UK government.
Learning Approach:
Classroom & Virtual Classroom
Duration:
3 days
Virtual Course Timings:
9am to 4pm UK time each day
Price:
Virtual Classroom – £1250 + VAT
Exam:
40 minutes, 50 multiple choice questions
Certification Body:
Certification: On successful completion of the course and examination, course delegates will be certified as Better Business Cases™ accredited.
Pre-Requisites:
No previous experience or knowledge required
Looking to bring the Better Business Cases course in-house? Get in touch here!
- Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), Programme Directors and other Directors with responsibility for the successful delivery of programmes and projects.
- Project Managers, Project Team members and specialist advisers tasked with delivering a business case for investment.
- Officers involved in the scrutiny and review of investment proposals.
- PMO Professionals
Virtual classroom training takes place with a live instructor throughout the online course and you will be learning alongside other virtual learners – you’ll be able to see and hear them too!
All you need for virtual classroom training is a decent broadband connection, a webcam and a microphone [Test your setup here]
You’ll receive:
- PMO Learning Delegate Workbook (hard copy and pdf)
- Business case guidance for projects (hard copy and pdf)
- Business case guidance for programmes (pdf)
- Pre-course material
- Practice examination paper
- Examination voucher [find out how it works] (valid for 3 months)
Classroom courses can be held for organisations looking to run the course In-House. Get in touch here.
- 50 multiple-choice questions
- 40 minute duration
- Closed book
- 50% pass mark (25 marks out of 50).
- APMG exams use an online proctoring system which allows you to take your exam anytime. Their ProctorU system, will access your exam as you take it to monitor the exam environment through your computer’s desktop, webcam and microphone.
- Please make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements. To check if you can use the online exam system please run this test before booking the course.
We’ll issue you with a voucher and all you need to do is book your examination time slot. You can choose to do the exam when it suits you – same day or later. There are lots of times available – including in the evening.
You’ll do the exam at your own PC and log in to the testing environment.
Got a question? [Get in touch]
Book Your Course
Virtual classroom £1250 + VAT (includes exam, printed course materials and course textbooks)
Course Outline
The Better Business Cases Foundation course introduces participants to the HM Treasury’s Five Case Model – a structured and consistent approach to developing business cases in the public sector. It focuses on creating robust investment proposals that drive value for money and are strategically aligned.
This model is widely adopted across the UK and internationally, helping ensure spending decisions are justified, affordable, and achievable.
Key aims of the Foundation course:
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Understand the philosophy and structure of the Five Case Model.
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Learn how to develop clear, concise, and evidence-based business cases.
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Prepare learners for the APMG Foundation certification exam.
In the Course
In the course, learners will cover six areas:
1. Why Business Cases Matter
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The scale of public sector investment.
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Common causes of project failure.
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The link between business case quality and delivery success.
2. Definition of a Business Case
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Importance in project/programme justification.
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Role in decision-making and investment planning.
3. The Five Case Model
A comprehensive framework consisting of:
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Strategic Case: Justifies the intervention, shows alignment with strategic objectives.
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Economic Case: Demonstrates value for money by evaluating options.
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Commercial Case: Shows commercial viability and market engagement.
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Financial Case: Confirms affordability and funding plans.
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Management Case: Demonstrates deliverability and governance planning.
4. Stages of Business Case Development
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Strategic Outline Case (SOC): Early stage scoping and justification.
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Outline Business Case (OBC): Detailed appraisal and planning.
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Full Business Case (FBC): Final approval with confirmed commercial arrangements.
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Business Justification Case (BJC): A simplified case for low-value or low-risk initiatives.
5. Business Case Lifecycle
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Key steps in scoping, planning, procuring, implementing, and evaluating.
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Integration with wider strategic planning and governance.
6. Core Techniques and Tools
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SMART objectives.
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Options Framework analysis.
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SWOT and sensitivity analysis.
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Risk registers and benefits realisation plans.
Benefits to Individuals
Why should you consider the Better Business Cases Foundation course?
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Enhanced Professional Capability
Learn to develop and evaluate business cases that align with strategic priorities and ensure investment value. -
Certification and Recognition
Gain an internationally recognised qualification accredited by APMG International. -
Improved Confidence and Credibility
Build the confidence to constructively challenge poorly formed business cases and contribute effectively in project/programme boards. -
Applicable Across Roles
Beneficial for project managers, business case writers, analysts, finance staff, and senior decision-makers.
Benefits to Organisations
There are also numerous benefits to the organisation with employees taking the Better Business Cases Foundation course, these include:
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Better Investment Decisions
Helps organisations avoid waste by ensuring only well-justified projects are funded and executed. -
Consistent, Transparent Approach
Promotes standardisation in decision-making using the Five Case Model. -
Greater Stakeholder Engagement
Enables early alignment of stakeholder needs and expectations through clear and structured business cases. -
Reduced Risk of Failure
By ensuring all key aspects of planning, delivery, and benefits realisation are considered up front.
After the Course
After the course, learners will be able to:
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Understand the purpose and structure of business cases using the HM Treasury Five Case Model.
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Explain and apply the five key cases: Strategic, Economic, Commercial, Financial, and Management.
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Recognise the stages of business case development: SOC, OBC, FBC.
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Contribute to and review business cases with greater confidence and structure.
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Apply key techniques like SMART objectives, options appraisal, and risk assessment.
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Prepare for and pass the APMG Foundation certification exam.
What Next?
If you’ve completed the Better Business Cases™ Foundation Certification, then there are a few ways you can continue your training.
If you want to carry on with the Better Business Cases Certifications then your next step is the Better Business Cases Practitioner Course.
You can also look at our other Certification courses such as House of PMO Essentials suite or P3O Certifications.
If you’re looking for something more specific to your organisation, whether it’s implementing Agile or getting a grip on Benefits Management, browse our specialist courses.