Say it like this
- We need to build a strong business case for this.
- What is the business case for migrating to the cloud?
- The business case didn't justify the investment.
- Let's make the business case to leadership.
Use it at work
Asking for budget
- I'm writing a business case for a second QA engineer.
- We need a strong business case to get this approved.
Pushing back
- What's the business case for rebuilding this?
- I don't see a business case for this feature yet.
Presenting
- The business case shows a payback in nine months.
- Here's the business case: less churn and lower support costs.
Don't say this
Business case is a noun; you build, develop, or make a business case rather than using it as a verb directly.
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. You want to propose a new tool. What do you say to your manager?
2. Leadership rejected our proposal because the _______ was not strong enough.
3. Which sentence uses business case correctly?
4. Rewrite using 'business case': 'We need to explain why this project is worth the money and time before we can start it.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 4
"We need to build a strong business case for this."
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More about business case
Real examples(4)
- in a planning meeting
"Before we invest in that new testing framework, we should develop a business case showing the time savings and maintenance benefits."
- in a pitch to executives
"Our business case demonstrates a 40% reduction in deployment time and a payback period of six months."
- in an email to stakeholders
"The product team submitted a business case for hiring two additional engineers to support the mobile platform."
- in a one-on-one with manager
"I'm working on the business case for the API refactoring project; can you review the cost-benefit analysis?"
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Do not confuse with legal 'case' — business case is not about lawsuits. It is a justification document, not a container or holder of something.
- ✕The business case was good, so we rejected it.✓The business case was weak, so we rejected it.
Weak business cases lead to rejection; strong cases lead to approval. Words like strong or weak are typically used, not good or bad.
- ✕A business case is a legal document about a lawsuit.✓A business case is a document justifying an investment or project, not a legal case.
Business case refers to project justification, not law. This is a common confusion with the word case.
Other forms(3)
- business case noun (singular)
"The business case for the project was convincing."
- business cases noun (plural)
"We reviewed three business cases before selecting the best initiative."
- business case [+ noun] noun modifier
"The business case analysis showed a positive return on investment."
Often used with(5)
- build/develop/make a business case · These verbs are used with business case to mean creating or constructing the justification.
- strong/weak/compelling business case · Adjectives that describe the quality and persuasiveness of the business case.
- business case for [project/decision] · Used with preposition for to show what is being justified: business case for cloud migration.
- approve/reject a business case · Leadership or stakeholders approve or reject business cases to decide on resource allocation.
- submit/present a business case · Used when proposing or formally sharing the business case with decision-makers.
Similar words(3)
- proposal · Broader term; a proposal may or may not include financial justification like a business case does.
- justification · More general; business case is a specific, formal type of justification with structured analysis.
- ROI analysis · Focuses on financial return; business case includes ROI but also covers risks, strategy, and timeline.
Opposites(3)
- rejection
- objection
- barrier
Questions(5)
- What should be included in a business case?
- A business case typically includes: executive summary, problem statement, proposed solution, expected benefits (financial and strategic), costs and resources needed, timeline, risk assessment, and alternatives considered. In tech, it often includes metrics like ROI, payback period, and resource requirements (engineering hours, tools, etc.).
- How do you use business case in a sentence at work?
- You can say: 'We need to develop a business case before proceeding,' 'The business case demonstrates a 30% cost reduction,' or 'Leadership approved our business case for the platform upgrade.' It is typically used with verbs like build, develop, submit, present, approve, or reject.
- Is business case formal or informal?
- Business case is formal language, used in official business contexts. You would use it in presentations to leadership, proposal documents, and formal meetings, not in casual chat or emails with peers. However, it appears in both spoken and written English in professional settings.
- What is the difference between a business case and a proposal?
- A proposal is a general request for something (e.g., 'I propose we hire a new engineer'). A business case goes deeper: it is a formal, structured document that justifies the proposal with financial analysis, risk assessment, strategic alignment, and expected benefits. Every business case supports a proposal, but not every proposal includes a full business case.
- Do I need a business case for every project?
- Not always. Small, routine projects may not require a formal business case. However, any project requiring significant budget, engineering resources, or organizational change typically needs one. In fast-moving startups, the standard is lower; in larger enterprises, almost all projects require a business case.
