Roles and Responsibilities in the Business Case

PRINCE2 Business Case Roles and Responsibilities Guide

Understanding Roles and Responsibilities in the PRINCE2 Business Case

The Business Case theme is central to PRINCE2 methodology, providing justification for the project and ensuring continued business alignment. A clear understanding of roles and responsibilities related to the Business Case is crucial for project success and is frequently tested in PRINCE2 Foundation exams.

Why Business Case Roles and Responsibilities Matter

Defining clear roles and responsibilities for the Business Case ensures:
• Proper ownership and accountability
• Timely development and updates
• Appropriate verification and approval
• Consistent assessment of project viability
• Clear decision-making processes

Key Roles and Their Responsibilities

Executive:
• Ultimate responsibility for the Business Case
• Ensures the project remains viable and aligned with business objectives
• Approves the Business Case at appropriate decision points
• Confirms Business Case validity throughout the project lifecycle

Senior User(s):
• Specifies the benefits expected from the project
• Provides details on how benefits will be realized
• Contributes to Benefits Management Approach
• Verifies that delivered products meet requirements

Senior Supplier(s):
• Confirms the solution is viable
• Verifies that supplier costs in the Business Case are accurate
• Assesses whether the project can deliver the required solution within constraints

Project Manager:
• Creates the initial Business Case (if not already provided)
• Maintains the Business Case through regular updates
• Monitors project performance against the Business Case
• Reports on Business Case status to the Project Board

Project Assurance:
• Reviews the Business Case for compliance with standards
• Verifies that the Business Case remains valid
• Checks that benefits measurement methods are appropriate

Project Support:
• Assists in administrative aspects of Business Case documentation
• Helps maintain Business Case records

Business Case Development and Maintenance Process

1. Starting Up a Project: Executive creates outline Business Case
2. Initiating a Project: Project Manager develops detailed Business Case
3. Controlling a Stage: Project Manager monitors against Business Case
4. Managing Stage Boundaries: Business Case is updated and reviewed
5. Closing a Project: Final assessment against Business Case is conducted

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Roles and Responsibilities in the Business Case

• Remember that the Executive has ultimate responsibility for the Business Case
• The Project Manager maintains and updates the Business Case but does not approve it
• Know which role is responsible for specifying benefits (Senior User)
• Understand that the Project Board (Executive, Senior User, Senior Supplier) collectively approves the Business Case
• Be clear about when Business Case reviews take place (especially at stage boundaries)
• Pay attention to how responsibilities differ across the project lifecycle
• Focus on who verifies continued business justification (Executive)
• Recognize that Project Assurance provides independent verification

Common Exam Question Formats

1. "Who is responsible for ensuring the project remains viable?"2. "Which role maintains the Business Case throughout the project?"3. "When should the Business Case be reviewed during the project?"4. "Who approves the Business Case at stage boundaries?"5. "Which role specifies the benefits in the Business Case?"
When answering these questions, focus on the specific responsibilities of each role rather than general project management duties. Remember that while several roles may contribute to the Business Case, each has distinct areas of responsibility.

Understanding these roles and responsibilities thoroughly will help you answer PRINCE2 Foundation exam questions accurately and demonstrate your knowledge of how the Business Case theme integrates with the overall PRINCE2 methodology.