An Open GenAI Business Case Analysis Best Practice: A Methodology for Data Program Transformation

- Navigation: About | Audience | Background | Template Toolkit | Case Study | GenAI Facilitator | Download Full Method (PDF)
- Method Phases: 0: Align & Mobilize | 1: Initiation & Scoping | 2: Business Analysis | 3: Technical & Data Analysis | 4: Modernization Blueprint | 5: Governance & Improvement

Methodology at a Glance: The 5-Phase Approach

First Phase 0: Align & Mobilize - Determine if you are ready to start a Business Case Analysis: Executive Sponsor? Purpose Statement? High level line of sight understood? Level of Effort and Core team identified?

	Phase 1: Initiation & Scoping	Phase 2: Business Analysis	Phase 3: Technical & Data Analysis	Phase 4: Modernization Blueprint	Phase 5: Governance & Improvement
Objective	Define the problem, scope, and stakeholders.	Analyze "as-is" state and prioritize "to-be" GenAI use cases.	Assess data and technology readiness and analyze risks.	Develop the full business case and implementation plan.	Establish the long-term governance and improvement model.
Inputs (Source)	Org. Strategic Plans User Pain Points High-Level Ideas	Project Charter SME Access "As-Is" Documentation	"To-Be" Design Data Catalogs Security Policies	All Previous outputs from Phases 1, 2, and 3	Complete Business Case Org. Governance Policies
Outputs	Project Charter Stakeholder Map	"As-Is" Analysis Report Prioritized Use Case Matrix "To-Be" Design	Data Readiness Report Tech Recommendation Risk Assessment Matrix "To-Be" Design Components	Complete Modernization Blueprint / Business Case	Operational Governance Plan Performance Measurement Plan Improvement Schedule
Who (Role)	Business Sponsor / Program Manager	Business Analyst / Product Owner	Technical Lead / Data Architect	Project Manager / Business Sponsor	Governance Lead / Program Manager
Complexity	◐ (Low-to-Medium)	◑ (Medium)	◑ (Medium-to-High)	● (High)	◑ (Medium)

Level of Effort - The overall complexity or effort varies based on the amount of scope chosen to analyze. Smaller efforts with experienced Senior Analysts and Subject Matter Experts available can take 1-3 months, where larger efforts with more staff involved and less availability can take 6-9 months.