Build Your Business Case: The 1-Page Template
Why One Page?
Decision-makers don’t read 20-page proposals. They skim. A one-page business case forces clarity and makes it easy for your internal champion to forward, print, and reference during budget discussions. Save the detail for the appendix.
Section 1: The Problem (3 Sentences)
State the specific security gap, the risk it creates, and what triggered the need to address it now. Example: ‘Our district has 347 cameras across 12 buildings, but no real-time monitoring capability. Staff review footage only after incidents, averaging 4+ hours per investigation. A recent security assessment identified 23 coverage gaps.’
Section 2: The Solution (3 Sentences)
Describe what you’re proposing, how it works, and why this approach was selected. Reference the pilot or evaluation if applicable. Keep it jargon-free.
Section 3: Investment Table
| Item | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software licensing | $___ | $___ | $___ | $___ |
| Installation / setup | $___ | — | — | $___ |
| Network upgrades | $___ | — | — | $___ |
| Training | $___ | $___ | $___ | $___ |
| Total investment | $___ | $___ | $___ | $___ |
Section 4: Funding Sources
Map each cost line to a specific funding source. Board members want to see that you’ve identified how to pay for this, not just what it costs.
Section 5: Expected Outcomes
- Reduced incident investigation time from [X] hours to [Y] minutes
- Real-time alerting for [specific events] across [number] buildings
- Coverage gap elimination from [X] gaps to [Y]
- Projected annual savings of $[amount] in security labor
Include one sentence about what peer districts of similar size are spending. Social proof is the most persuasive element in a business case.
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