Secure Your ERP Investment with Lagom’s Business Case as a Service
Investing in an ERP system is a critical milestone for any organisation. The difference between success and a costly misstep often lies in the strength of your business case, which ensures your decision is outcome focused, data-driven and strategically sound.
The Strategic Imperative of a Strong Business Case
When it comes to organisational transformation, the business case is more than just a formality; it’s a strategic tool. A well-developed business case does more than outline costs and benefits—it aligns the proposed solution with your organisation’s broader goals, ensuring that every dollar spent drives value.
In today’s complex landscape, where the margin for error is slim, decision-makers require a narrative backed by data, insights, and a clear vision of how the ERP system or transformation initiative will reshape the organisation. This is where Lagom’s expertise in business case development comes into play.
The Lagom Approach: Thoughtful, Thorough, and Tailored
At Lagom, we understand that a business case is not just about the numbers; it’s about telling a story that resonates with stakeholders and decision-makers. Our approach to business case development for ERP investments and organisational transformation is grounded in thought leadership and best practices, ensuring that your organisation is not just following the trend but leading it.
Key Elements of Our Approach:
- Strategic Alignment: We don’t just assess the ERP investment or transformation initiative in isolation. We ensure that it aligns with your organisation’s strategic objectives, whether it’s driving digital transformation, improving operational efficiency, or enhancing customer experience. This alignment is critical to securing buy-in from all levels of the organisation.
- Innovative Insights: Drawing on our extensive experience, we provide innovative insights that go beyond traditional ROI calculations. We explore how the ERP system can enable new business models, unlock untapped markets, or foster a culture of continuous improvement. These perspectives elevate the business case from a mere justification to a vision for the future.
- Stakeholder Engagement: A compelling business case is one that has the fingerprints of your organisation all over it. We engage key stakeholders throughout the process, ensuring that their insights and concerns are reflected. This not only enhances the relevance of the business case but also builds a coalition of support that’s essential for successful implementation.
- Scenario Planning: ERP investments and organisational transformations often come with uncertainties. We incorporate scenario planning into our business cases, helping you navigate potential risks and opportunities. Whether it’s considering different technology options or preparing for potential disruptions, our scenarios ensure that your organisation is prepared for the future.
What Makes a Compelling Business Case?
Creating a compelling business requires a blend of strategic thinking, data-driven analysis, and persuasive communication. Here’s what we believe makes a business case truly compelling:
- Clarity of Purpose: The business case must clearly articulate why the ERP investment or transformation is necessary. This includes identifying the specific challenges the organisation faces and how the proposed solution addresses them.
- Evidence-Based Justification: Decision-makers need to see hard evidence that supports the proposed investment. This includes financial projections, case studies, and benchmarks that demonstrate the expected return on investment and other benefits.
- Alignment with Strategic Goals: The business case should connect the proposed initiative with the organisation’s strategic objectives. This alignment helps to ensure that the investment contributes to long-term success.
- Risk Mitigation: A strong business case doesn’t just highlight the benefits—it also addresses potential risks and how they will be managed. This builds confidence among stakeholders that the project is well thought out and prepared for challenges.
- Engaging Narrative: Finally, the business case must tell a story that resonates with its audience. This means using clear, concise language and focusing on the aspects of the proposal that matter most to decision-makers.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
While developing a business case is critical, it’s easy to fall into common traps that can undermine its effectiveness. Here are a few pitfalls to watch out for:
- Overcomplicating the Case: While detail is important, too much complexity can obscure the key messages and make the business case difficult to digest. It’s essential to strike the right balance between thoroughness and clarity.
- Ignoring Stakeholder Concerns: A business case that fails to consider the perspectives of all stakeholders risks missing critical insights and encountering resistance later in the process. Engaging stakeholders early and often is key.
- Underestimating Risks: Downplaying potential risks might make the business case more attractive in the short term, but it can lead to significant challenges during implementation. Acknowledging and planning for risks upfront builds credibility.
- Focusing Solely on Financials: While financial metrics are crucial, they shouldn’t be the sole focus. The business case should also consider non-financial benefits, such as improved customer satisfaction, employee engagement, or market positioning.
Real Results, Real Impact
Lagom’s Business Case as a Service isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about setting a new standard in how organisations approach ERP investments and transformations. Our proven methodology has helped clients across industries make informed decisions that drive long-term success.
Take the New Zealand Heart Foundation, for example:
“Lagom helped us prepare a business case for organisational change and took us through a comprehensive process to do that. They provided a knowledgeable team to work with our team, they gathered data, analysed the problems to be solved and through workshops with staff developed a way forward. In taking the approach they did we were able to move quickly, staff were engaged in the process leading to good buy-in for the need for change, and we had sufficient information to make the case for change with the senior management team. It was a successful engagement and we have since gone on from there to complete the work outlined in the business case.”
Ready to Lead with Vision?
With our Business Case as a Service, you’re not just making a decision—you’re making a strategic move that positions your organisation for future growth.
Contact Lagom today to start the journey towards a smarter, more strategic organisational transformation.