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BBC (Better Business Cases™) from APMG International is a systematic and objective approach to all stages of the business case development process that sits alongside, and complements, HM Treasury’s Green Book guidance. The course and examination are based on The Five Case Model, the UK government’s best practice approach to planning spending proposals and enabling effective business decisions.

APMG have advised that in just ten years since they launched the program, over 20,000 exams have now been completed.  The learning and certification process equips participants with best practice knowledge and expertise for the effective development and review of business cases and investment proposals.

The course is suitable for

The course is relevant to those responsible for developing and producing spending proposals or their assessment and approval; in particular:

• Accounting officers - responsible for delivering public value
• Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), Programme Directors and Project Managers, responsible for successful delivery
• Directors of Finance, procurement and planning, responsible for the forward planning and prioritization of spending proposals
• Members of approvals and management boards with responsibility for scrutinizing or approving spending proposals

Pre-requisites

There are no official pre-requisites for the foundation level. A pass in the foundation level is required to sit the practitioner exam.

Benefits

In New Zealand, this course has been tailored to account for the slight differences in terminology and language used. Please note that the NZ based modules covered in the training are not included in the International version of the exams provided.

Following this training Individuals will gain an improved understanding of the Better Business Case process, relevant to both those responsible for producing business cases and those who approve them; an understanding of an established and proven methodology which can be applied at both strategic (macro) and tactical (micro) levels; and core business competency for any manager or director.

Organisations adopting this approach can reduce unnecessary spend and optimize public value; reduce consultancy costs; have faster throughput and a clear, proportionate approval process; and improve quality of decision making.

APMG have advised from a 2023 study of learners the following:

• When asked if individuals involved in the development and scrutiny of business cases/investment proposals should consider Better Business Cases training and certification to boost their ability, over 98% of respondents selected "Strongly Agree" or "Agree".
• Over 97% of respondents felt the learning/certification experience has enhanced their ability to develop and/or scrutinize business cases and investment proposals.
• Over 96% of respondents said the learning/certification experience equipped them with skills and knowledge they could apply immediately.

You will a combined hard copy of the two official guides (foundation only) which is free to download in PDF format from the UK or Welsh government websites.  We have converted these to a more user friendly combined hard copy to send out to you for your preparation.

Examinations

• Foundation exam - a 40 minute multiple choice closed book examination with 50 questions (25 marks, 50% to pass).
• Practitioner exam -a 2 and half hour restricted open book (Green Book Supplementary Guidance only) objective examination with four questions (20 marks each) (40 marks, 50% to pass).

BBC Foundation Level - 2 day - The purpose of the foundation certification is to confirm that you have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the guidance to be able to work effectively with, or as a member of a team to develop a business case using the Five Case Model.

BBC Practitioner Level - 3 day - The purpose of the Practitioner qualification is to confirm whether you have achieved sufficient understanding of the theory and application of the Five Case Model to allow them to effectively develop and produce a business case. A successful Practitioner candidate should be able to start applying the model to a real project.

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