Better Business Cases Exam: Everything You Need to Know

Digital transformation has changed the working processes of organisations as we know it. Organisations willing to maintain their competitive edge in the market must evolve and adapt to the latest digital trends and global standards. Many organisations try to achieve this by adopting frameworks such as the Better Business Cases (BBC). Hence, aspiring professionals want to get validated for their knowledge of the framework. To do that, one must sit for the corresponding Better Business Cases Exam for each part of the framework. 

As per a 2018 UK Treasury report, more than 3,000 people had finished their BBC training, and over 500 business cases had been assessed using the approach. This growing prevalence of the framework makes it important for aspiring professionals to have knowledge of it. In this blog, you will learn everything about the Better Business Cases Exam – Better Business Cases Foundation and Practitioner exams and everything related to the courses. 

Table of Contents 

1) Introduction to Better Business Cases Exam 

2) Better Business Cases Foundation Exam 

     a) What is covered in the exam? 

     b) Who should sit for the exam? 

     c) Assessment 

     d) Format of the exam 

3) Better Business Cases Practitioner Exam 

     a) What is covered in the exam? 

     b) Who should sit for the exam? 

     c) Assessment 

     d) Format of the exam 

4) Conclusion 

Introduction to Better Business Cases Exam 

The Better Business Cases (BBC) guidance is an initiative from the HM Treasury and the Welsh government. It aims to improve the skills of the professionals that are involved in the preparation and reviewal of business cases. The training offered by the BBC guidance is made up of two parts, namely the foundation and practitioner levels. Both levels are examined against HM Treasury’s Green Book Guidance on public sector business cases, with the use of the Five Case Model. It must be noted that one must successfully complete the foundation level before moving on to the practitioner level.



 

Better Business Cases Foundation Exam 

The Better Business Cases Foundation Exam helps a professional learn how to work effectively with a team in order to develop a strong business case with the help of the Five Case Model. 

What is covered in the exam? 

The Better Business Cases Foundation level offers a comprehensive introduction to the development of a business case with the use of the Five Case Model. The exam covers questions from the following topics: 

1) The Five Case Model  

2) Goal setting and creating clear objectives  

3) Ensuring a balance of benefits, costs and risk  

4) Planning and contributing to business case proposal  

5) Strategic Outline Programme (SOP) for policy, regulation and grants programmes  

6) Business Case Development from the Strategic Outline Case (SOC) to the Outline Business Case (OBC) to the Full Business Case (FBC) for projects  

7) Business Justification Case (BJC) for minor spending proposals  

8) The key roles in business case development 

Who should sit for the exam? 

The foundation level is meant for everyone who needs a comprehensive understanding of the process and who will be developing business cases, including: 

1) Decision-makers and owners who are tasked with the responsibility for the successful delivery of projects and programmes 

2) Project and Programme Managers, project team members and their specialist advisors 

3) Those who are involved in the scrutiny and review of business cases 

Assessment 

The Foundation Level is assessed via a 40-minute closed-book multiple-choice examination that is accredited and administered by APMG. If you are completing the course in person, you will sit for the exam on the second day of the two-day open course. Those who are attending the course online will sit for the exam online at their own convenience. 

Format of the exam 

The Better Business Cases Foundation exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions worth one mark each. A total of 25 marks are required to pass the exam out of 50, i.e., a 50% pass mark is enough to earn the certification. The exam is a closed-book one and lasts for a total of 40 minutes. The Foundation exam is conducted online with the help of a web proctor.   

Unlock the real potential of your business by signing up for our Better Business Cases Foundation course. 

Better Business Cases Practitioner Exam 

The Better Business Cases Practitioner course allows you to become a business case professional who has the ability to apply the Five Case Model to a real-world project. It must be noted that before attempting the Practitioner Exam, you will have to pass the Foundation exam. 

What is covered in the exam? 

The Better Business Cases Practitioner level is meant to validate that you have achieved an adequate understanding of the Five Case Model. In this exam, you will be asked questions about the following: 

1) Importance of the business case 

2) Business Case Development Process 

3) Setting SMART objectives  

4) Identifying the high level of risks/benefits  

5) Preparing the Strategic Outline Programme (SOP) 

6) Mitigating common causes of failure 

7) Preparing the Outline Business Case 

8) Identifying and assigning benefit criteria exercise 

Who should sit for the exam? 

The Better Business Cases Practitioner level is aimed at: 

1) Project and Programme Managers 

2) Finance business partners, procurement business partners, economists and investment specialists 

3) Professionals leading the scrutiny and review of business cases and investment decisions 

Assessment 

The Better Business Cases Practitioner level is assessed with the help of a two-and-a-half-hour closed-book multiple-choice examination that is accredited and administered by APMG. If you are finishing the course in person, you will sit for the exam on the second day of the course. However, if you are completing the course online via a virtual classroom, you can sit for the exam online at your own convenience. 

Format of the exam 

The Better Business Cases Practitioner level consists of four questions worth 20 marks each, amounting to 80 marks in total. Forty marks or more, I.e., more than 50%, is required to pass the exam – like the Foundation level exam. The exam has a duration of a maximum of two and a half hours and is an open-book exam. The books that an applicant is advised to refer to are the ‘International Guide to Developing the Project Business Case’ and the ‘International Guide to Developing the Programme Business Case’ only.   

Master the art of developing and executing successful business cases with our Better Business Cases Practitioner course! 

Conclusion 

All in all, achieving either of the Better Business Cases certifications goes a long way in validating your professional skills in the workplace. To achieve the Foundation certification or both the Foundation and the Practitioner certifications, one must sit for the Better Business Cases Exams. We hope this blog gave you all the knowledge you were seeking about the exams!  

Register for our Better Business Cases courses and elevate your business decision-making skills!