Developing the Business Case for a Digital Campus Portal

Abstract

Many universities and colleges are now investigating the potential benefits of investing in institution-wide portaltechnology, but few have developed a practical program for justifying such a system. This paper guides readersthrough the process of building and presenting a sound and costed business case for a higher education enterpriseportal. The paper is primarily for senior mangers within an IT department and others who may be involved with makingthe case for a portal development. It assumes readers are familiar with the portal concept and that there is a prima facie case for an institution-wide portal that merits further investigation. It covers the main stages of the business case instigation, development, and presentation. There is guidance ontechniques to use in constructing and costing a business case, what content can helpfully be included or avoided,and presenting findings to senior managers. This paper is not a detailed template for institutions to simply "fill in the gaps."