Business Case Proposal

Rationale

The purpose of this assessment is to enable students to apply the knowledge they have gained from this unit. This assessment is designed for students to further develop the zero-based budget from Assessment 3 that shows skills in breaking down costs for a service or project in relation to planned activity levels and outcomes or deliverables. Development of a business case is a common activity for health managers to undertake. Task For your chosen service or health facility prepare a budget for this new service or project suitable to the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District. Prepare this in a report format.

Marking Criteria

1. Remember that outputs as well as financial data are required.

2. In preparing the budget, students should show the build-up of the budget from a zero-base including all significant line items.

3. Rationale/justification for a new service. - Comprehensive rationale/ justification provided for a new service. Rationale provides a comprehensive and convincing needs analysis of the demography of the area and how the proposed service would benefit the population. Discussion is highly supported with evidence from scholarly literature.

4. Budget Build up and financial activity. Application of zero-based budgeting principles. - Comprehensive discussion of the budget build-up from zero base with an insightful analysis of the financial activity. No gaps or inconsistencies in the budget planning. The proposed budget is feasible and well-developed.

5. Management of risk and service issues- Significant consideration given to risk and service issues with a comprehensive plan provided for the management of the identified issues. Plan to manage risk and service issues is feasible and insightful

6. A contingency plan must be included (i.e. what happens if desired funding is not available to the optimal level) at 10% less than the optimal budget. Show deletions and cost cutting measures. - Budget is comprehensive and feasible. Explanatory notes for each item provides an in-depth explanation for each item included in the budget and how the figures for each item was derived. Spreadsheet is complete and fully functional.

7. Include a financial activity analysis and a breakeven analysis chart to show at what level of activity the service breaks even. In the public sector this means to come in on budget rather than make a profit.- Budget is comprehensive and feasible. Explanatory notes for each item provides an in-depth explanation for each item included in the budget and how the figures for each item was derived. Spreadsheet is complete and fully functional.

8. Evidence of scholarly references in text and reference list. APA style referencing- Evidence of extensive reading in both Australian and international sources. Sources are current (within the last 5 years) and scholarly. Writing is clear and concise. Academic tone is maintained throughout. No errors in grammar, spelling or punctuation are present. All resources are appropriately referenced with no errors in APA referencing style. Citation is consistent with APA referencing style.

9. Understanding of activity/output requirements.