Ron
Klein
Klein
About The Government Business Case Analysis:
Performing Structured Analysis in the Public Sector
by Ron Klein
Paperback, 8.5x11, 104 pages, $23.95
Every undertaking involves opportunity costs; that is, every
hour spent in one endeavor is time that is not available for a
myriad of other tasks. Finance 101 courses teach Return on
nvestment (ROI) calculations, and public policy courses teach
cost-benefit analyses. Scores of good finance texts exist,
ranging from college textbooks to topics as specific as the
analyses and assessment of derivatives, and at least one
excellent text specifically addresses Business Case Analysis
(BCA) in corporate applications. So the question is, "Why
write this book"? The answer is twofold. First, after performing
several BCAs for various federal agencies, Belzon analysts
encountered a dearth of practical, hands-on guides to assist
federal agencies in performing BCAs in the environment in which they operate. While texts
tailored to corporate applications appropriately cover topics such as the value of extending
one's brand and the tax consequences of decisions, such topics are not applicable to federal
agencies. In addition, federal agencies encounter other difficulties, such as diffused authority
and a lack of data-the absence of a comprehensive cost accounting system is just one
example. Finally, large corporations are experienced in structured analyses and the BCA is
often a relatively minor modification to existing tools and practices. Therefore, the first reason
for this book is to provide step-by-step guidance for government analysts in structuring and
performing BCAs, regardless of the government organization or the questions being asked.
The second reason for writing this book is to advocate better governance of federal agencies.
In our view, the two greatest impediments to improved government are indifference and a
lack of understanding as to how to proceed. This indifference is born of many fathers, not the
least of which is a lack of direction and knowing where to start. It is our hope that this book
will provide substantive solutions to both impediments by providing step-by-step procedures
for conducting a BCA. It is also our abiding desire to provide assistance to those who want to
undertake an assessment of how their agency performs its mission, to identify the advantages
and disadvantages of the alternative means of performing the mission, and to develop a
realistic vision of what can be achieved, as well as the necessary resources to accomplish the
transition. Intended Audience The intended audience for this book is government personnel
who execute or review BCAs-especially those who have never been involved in the conduct
of a BCA, have had only a peripheral role, or infrequently participate in the analysis and
documentation of a BCA. In addition, this guide is written to be useful to senior managers
who direct the BCA, as well as those who will be performing the research and analyses.
Performing Structured Analysis in the Public Sector
by Ron Klein
Paperback, 8.5x11, 104 pages, $23.95
Every undertaking involves opportunity costs; that is, every
hour spent in one endeavor is time that is not available for a
myriad of other tasks. Finance 101 courses teach Return on
nvestment (ROI) calculations, and public policy courses teach
cost-benefit analyses. Scores of good finance texts exist,
ranging from college textbooks to topics as specific as the
analyses and assessment of derivatives, and at least one
excellent text specifically addresses Business Case Analysis
(BCA) in corporate applications. So the question is, "Why
write this book"? The answer is twofold. First, after performing
several BCAs for various federal agencies, Belzon analysts
encountered a dearth of practical, hands-on guides to assist
federal agencies in performing BCAs in the environment in which they operate. While texts
tailored to corporate applications appropriately cover topics such as the value of extending
one's brand and the tax consequences of decisions, such topics are not applicable to federal
agencies. In addition, federal agencies encounter other difficulties, such as diffused authority
and a lack of data-the absence of a comprehensive cost accounting system is just one
example. Finally, large corporations are experienced in structured analyses and the BCA is
often a relatively minor modification to existing tools and practices. Therefore, the first reason
for this book is to provide step-by-step guidance for government analysts in structuring and
performing BCAs, regardless of the government organization or the questions being asked.
The second reason for writing this book is to advocate better governance of federal agencies.
In our view, the two greatest impediments to improved government are indifference and a
lack of understanding as to how to proceed. This indifference is born of many fathers, not the
least of which is a lack of direction and knowing where to start. It is our hope that this book
will provide substantive solutions to both impediments by providing step-by-step procedures
for conducting a BCA. It is also our abiding desire to provide assistance to those who want to
undertake an assessment of how their agency performs its mission, to identify the advantages
and disadvantages of the alternative means of performing the mission, and to develop a
realistic vision of what can be achieved, as well as the necessary resources to accomplish the
transition. Intended Audience The intended audience for this book is government personnel
who execute or review BCAs-especially those who have never been involved in the conduct
of a BCA, have had only a peripheral role, or infrequently participate in the analysis and
documentation of a BCA. In addition, this guide is written to be useful to senior managers
who direct the BCA, as well as those who will be performing the research and analyses.
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