| name | adr-format-business-case |
| description | This skill should be used when the user asks about "business case ADR", "MBA-style ADR", "cost-benefit ADR", "SWOT ADR", "executive ADR", "ROI ADR", or needs guidance on creating ADRs using the business case format for executive and financial analysis. |
Business Case ADR Format
The Business Case format is designed for decisions requiring financial analysis, stakeholder sign-off, and executive-level documentation. It includes SWOT analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and ROI assessment.
About Business Case Format
The Business Case format is:
- Executive-focused - Clear for non-technical stakeholders
- Financial - Includes cost-benefit and ROI analysis
- Comprehensive - SWOT, risks, and implementation planning
- Formal - Stakeholder sign-off section
Template Structure
# {NUMBER}. {TITLE}
Date: {DATE}
## Status
{STATUS}
## Executive Summary
{2-3 sentence overview}
## Business Context
{Business situation description}
## Problem Statement
{Business problem or opportunity}
## SWOT Analysis
### Strengths
### Weaknesses
### Opportunities
### Threats
## Options Considered
### Option 1: {Title}
**Cost**: {Estimate}
**Effort**: {High/Medium/Low}
**Risk**: {High/Medium/Low}
**Alignment**: {Strategic alignment}
## Decision
{Chosen option and justification}
## Cost-Benefit Analysis
### Costs
### Benefits
### ROI Assessment
## Implementation
### Timeline
### Resources Required
### Success Metrics
## Risk Assessment
{Risk table with likelihood, impact, mitigation}
## Stakeholder Sign-off
{Sign-off table}
Section Guide
Executive Summary
Brief overview for executives:
- What decision was made
- Why it matters to the business
- Key financial impact
Business Context
Describe business situation:
- Market conditions
- Competitive pressures
- Customer needs
- Organizational goals
SWOT Analysis
| Category | Focus |
|---|
| Strengths | Internal positive factors |
| Weaknesses | Internal limitations |
| Opportunities | External potential gains |
| Threats | External risks |
Options with Business Metrics
For each option, document:
- Cost: Initial and ongoing
- Effort: Implementation effort
- Risk: Overall risk level
- Alignment: Fit with strategic goals
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Costs:
- Initial investment
- Ongoing operational costs
- Opportunity costs
Benefits:
- Short-term gains
- Long-term value
- Intangible benefits
ROI Assessment:
- Expected return
- Payback period
- Break-even point
Implementation Planning
Include:
- Phased timeline
- Resource requirements
- Key milestones
- Success metrics (KPIs)
Risk Assessment
| Risk | Likelihood | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|
| {Risk 1} | High/Med/Low | High/Med/Low | {Strategy} |
Stakeholder Sign-off
| Role | Name | Date | Signature |
|---|
| Sponsor | | | |
| Technical Lead | | | |
| Finance | | | |
When to Use Business Case Format
Best for:
- Executive-level decisions
- Significant financial impact
- Decisions requiring formal approval
- Cross-departmental decisions
- Compliance/governance requirements
Consider other formats when:
- Purely technical decisions
- Small scope/low cost
- Quick documentation needed
- Internal team decisions
Business Case Best Practices
Executive Communication
- Lead with business impact
- Quantify benefits where possible
- Be clear about costs and risks
- Provide actionable recommendations
Financial Analysis
- Include all cost categories
- Consider total cost of ownership
- Project multi-year costs
- Account for opportunity costs
Additional Resources
Templates
Template available at:
${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/templates/business-case/adr-template.md
