Business Cases for Info Pros – Here's Why, Here's How

Citation

Brevig, A. (2010), "Business Cases for Info Pros – Here's Why, Here's How", Performance Measurement and Metrics, Vol. 11 No. 2, pp. 223-224. https://doi.org/10.1108/14678041011064124

Over the past decade I have written and contributed to many information licensing business cases within the finance and pharma sectors, and even been formally trained in business case development during past MBA studies. So, when I saw Ulla de Stricker's book Business Cases for Info Pros – Here's Why, Here's How, I was drawn to it and had to read it.

The book is essential reading for any information professional inexperienced in writing business cases, yet it is also a valuable reference tool for experienced business case authors. The book begins by giving the reader an idea of what preparing a business case is all about. It then immediately proceeds to provide practical tools, which allow the reader to implement key concepts straight away. In essence, the book does what it says on the tin – it shows information professionals why and how to write a great business case.

In my opinion the book has three key areas of strength. De Stricker has successfully managed to make the content:

1. 1.

   accessible;

2. 2.

   concise; and

3. 3.

   relevant.

What makes it accessible is that no prior knowledge of business cases is required, since de Stricker starts from the very beginning and walks the reader through the entire process in a logical step‐by‐step manner. The presentation of the content in tables and frameworks, makes it easy to absorb and apply. This includes an outline of a typical business case structure with key points to include in each section, as well as examples. The style is conversational, yet professional, e.g. with the use of an everyday decision making scenario everyone can relate to – buying a new car. Some key considerations in that decision‐making process are then transferred to information content licensing.

The book is not only concise, but also extremely well balanced. It gives exactly enough information to empower the reader to develop and present an effective business case, but avoids unnecessary elaborations. This fit‐for‐purpose feel will, no doubt, be appreciated by information professionals daily exposed to information overload.

But what makes this book really stand out is its relevance to information professionals. In addition to providing some sound advice, e.g. on how to get the attention of senior management and making the business case return on investment (ROI) focused, the book brings the subject to life through a number of case studies. A total of 40 percent of the book is dedicated to these case studies, which represent typical scenarios an information professional may be faced with. One of the case studies is an actual fully‐fledged information licensing business case, with benefits clearly quantified.

The effective approaches de Stricker is sharing with her readers, have been refined over three decades of experience in the information industry. I highly recommend the book to any information professional who quickly wants to internalize and implement these approaches with the purpose of convincing senior management.