Enhancing Investment Success in P&L Business Case for Unified Communications Platform

1. Context

This project focused on managing the business case and P&L for a Unified Communications (UC) solution launched across multiple markets. As the Group Product Manager, I was responsible for securing investment approvals for the platform’s initial launch and subsequent updates. The business case outlined financial projections for the first release and evolved to track P&L performance for future iterations. These updates were essential in securing further funding and ensuring the platform met financial expectations.

2. Challenge

• Legacy assumptions: The business case was based on earlier models from PBX solutions and legacy UC systems, requiring significant refinement.
• Market alignment: Ensuring consistency between Group-level business cases and local market assumptions, while working around competing product launches in various regions.

3. Approach

Business case updates followed the company’s investment approval process, with final funding decisions made at key governance stages. My role included:

• Developing a comprehensive and realistic business case aligned with local market conditions.
• Preparing and presenting governance board materials with a strong focus on financials.
• Collaborating with Group Finance, technology project management teams, and vendors to gather accurate cost inputs.
• Additionally, I worked closely with local product managers to validate customer demand and ensure active requests supported each release.

4. Role & Achievements

I led the investment approval process for both the platform’s initial launch and its subsequent updates. This involved refining business cases, ensuring alignment with local market assumptions, and successfully presenting them to the governance board. My collaboration with programme management, finance, and vendors was instrumental in ensuring financial accuracy. As a result, I secured investment approvals on most occasions, enabling continued platform development and expansion.

5. Results

The required investments for the platform’s launch and updates were successfully approved, ensuring the timely development and rollout of new releases. This played a crucial role in maintaining the platform’s momentum and growth in target markets. The approvals were recognised internally as key milestones in the product’s success.