Which item is defined as creating a well-reasoned argument to convince stakeholders of the benefits of an investment?

• A. Developing a Business Case
• B. Executive summary
• C. Identify stakeholders both internal & external
• D. Data to illustrate significance, severity, and complexity

Answer: (A)

Presenting a well-reasoned argument to convince stakeholders of the benefits of an investment is best addressed by developing a business case. A business case is a formal document that lays out the problem or opportunity, analyzes options, and compares costs and benefits. It brings together financial measures (like ROI, NPV, and payback) with strategic alignment and non-financial benefits (safety, reliability, compliance) to show why a particular investment makes sense and what returns to expect. This structured justification is exactly what stakeholders need to decide whether to proceed.

An executive summary, while important, is only the concise snapshot of the case and doesn’t provide the full analysis. Identifying stakeholders is a preparatory step to engage the right people, not the argument itself. Data to illustrate significance, severity, and complexity is evidence used within the analysis, but on its own it doesn’t present the complete reasoned recommendation and plan for investment.