Presenting Your Case

Overview/Description
 Have you ever attended a presentation that was so awful that you were embarrassed for the presenter? Have you ever started to read a document only to become totally confused because it was so poorly organized? Good business case presentations don't happen by accident. This course will show you the basics of good presentations, from designing the documentation to organizing the oral presentation. You'll learn the do's and don'ts of using visuals, handouts (take-aways), and business case formats. You'll take a look at the types of charts and graphs that will best display your data. As an added bonus, you will also examine how business cases can be used in more ways than just persuading investors and/or funding your project.

Target Audience
 supervisors, managers, project developers

Expected Duration
2.5 hours

Lesson Objectives:

Designing the Document

  • recognize the value of a well-designed business plan.
  • choose the appropriate sequence for the parts of a business case document.
  • identify the components in choosing the layout of a business plan document.
  • select the best type of chart or graph for illustrating specific types of information.
  • identify the types of information included in an appendix.

    • Take-aways

  • recognize the benefits of take-aways to the successful presentation of a business case.
  • identify the purpose of take-aways.
  • recognize the criteria for choosing appropriate take-aways and handouts.
  • recognize design issues that can help you choose and create effective take-aways.

    • Presentation Basics

  • recognize the value of good preparation prior to presenting a business case.
  • recognize questions to ask about your audience prior to your presentation.
  • identify the three main elements of planning the presentation.
  • identify the purposes that visuals serve for the presenter and for the audience.

    • Using Your Business Case Strategically

  • recognize the multiple benefits of business cases.
  • identify the two most common ways that a business case is used to secure funding after the initial approval.
  • select ways in which a business case keeps a project focused.
  • recognize ways that a business case can be used to measure progress over time.
  • identify scenarios in which a business case would be used to remind project managers of "why we are doing this."

    • Course Number: STGY0216