Making theBusiness Case for

OpenStack Components

What’s Inside:

This PowerPoint template will walk you through putting together the numbers you need to make a business case for OpenStack components in your organization

The accompanying Excel Calculator is designed for simplicity:

It befits a feasibility-level study; more complex analyses would require a more robust model

It is based on cash flow, not P&L

It has no macros

All data and assumptions are to be entered on one tab, the other tabs are for display only

OpenStack Components

There is a difference between a project and a program

OpenStack is actually a series of interlocking, yet distinct components

You should be prepared to build a business case for each individual component you need, and not bother with the ones your organization doesn’t require

You should also know what tools, both open source and commercial, could serve the same functions, and be able to build business cases for those for comparison’s sake

Show Current State

1. Input current state data

Simply enter in values in the green boxes

Missing Data?

1A: What if I you don’t have all the data?

You probably don’t, so the model will calculate the data you do have and, if you know the figure is wrong, you can correct it by entering an “override” value

ShowProject Costs

2. Enter the project costs and discount rate

Estimate costs based on research, prior experience, market scan, or indicative pricing

Discount rate can be usually obtained from CFO group

ShowTarget State

3. Enter in target state benefits by year

Consider reductions in hardware and facilities

Understand that labor, training and software costs are likely to rise

Best to start with the last year, then back into how much of that benefit you’re likely to achieve by the end of each intervening year

ShowTarget State Costs

3A: Review the impact in dollar terms

Customizethe Presentation

4. Customize the PowerPoint to fit your needs

Review the numbers in your completed Excel spreadsheet then cut and paste the exhibits into this PowerPoint presentation

Follow the format of presenting the current state, project costs, target state and investment analysis

Document Unquantifiable Benefits

Using OpenStack Sahara as an example, additional soft benefits include:

Makeit Work

5. If you don’t like the answer, just change the assumptions

You can always go back and change:

The current state growth projections

Target state reduction projections and the forecast speed of attainment

The discount rate you’ll receive

Created by William Freedman @ITCaseMaker

& Tom’s IT Pro @TomsITPro