Better Business Cases™ Foundation

Who can take it

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Better Business Cases™ Foundation Eligibility

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Whether you can sit the Better Business Cases™ Foundation certification exam: prerequisites, who the exam is for, and the skills it assesses.

3 prerequisites
foundation level
6 skills

Prerequisites and requirements

Published requirements for this certification.

  • No formal prerequisites for the Foundation exam
  • Recommended: Basic understanding of project management or investment appraisal concepts
  • The APMG Better Business Cases Foundation official study guide

Who this exam is for

This certification is designed for professionals involved in developing, reviewing, or approving business cases, including project managers, program managers, portfolio managers, finance and accounting professionals, business analysts, change managers, investment committee members, senior civil servants, policy advisors, consultants, and anyone responsible for making or recommending investment decisions in public or private sector organizations. It is particularly relevant for those working in government, healthcare, defense, infrastructure, and large capital projects where robust business case development is a mandatory requirement.

Skills assessed

What the exam actually tests, beyond the domain names.

Understanding of the Five Case Model framework and its purpose
Ability to identify components of each case: Strategic, Economic, Commercial, Financial, Management
Knowledge of cost-benefit analysis and value for money assessment
Understanding of procurement strategy and commercial arrangements
Ability to assess financial affordability and funding requirements
Knowledge of governance, risk management, and benefits realization

The domains you will be assessed on

Eligibility is not only about paperwork. These are the areas you have to actually know.

DomainWeightTopic count
The Economic Case20%4
The Strategic Case20%4
The Financial Case15%4
The Commercial Case15%4
The Management Case10%4
Introduction to Better Business Cases and the Five Case Model20%4

How demanding this exam is

Cognitive load
Moderate. The Foundation exam requires memorization of the Five Case Model structure, each case's purpose, key components, and the relationships between cases. While no complex calculations are required, understanding the logic chain from strategic need through to management delivery demands conceptual clarity and systematic thinking. The volume of terminology and appraisal concepts (NPV, IRR, risk assessment, options analysis) adds a moderate cognitive load that requires structured study.

Our focus for this certification: Certilum turns the Five Case Model into actionable practice. For Better Business Cases Foundation, we offer scenario‑based quizzes, mnemonic aids for tricky terminology, and mock exams that mirror the official format. Our diagnostic engine highlights which cases need review.

More about the Better Business Cases™ Foundation exam

Explore the rest of this page series: format, cost, difficulty, requirements and how to prepare.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about the Better Business Cases™ Foundation exam.