How to Make a Business Case for an HR Initiative

Author: Raymond Halagera

An HR initiative is a program or set of related actions created and implemented by Human Resources that focuses on the organization's most valuable asset...its employees. Because employees are the organization's most valuable asset, HR is a strategic partner that can create, through its initiatives, the greatest impact on the organization's financial performance. HR's initiatives either solve a business problem, address a business need, or seize an opportunity to increase revenues or decrease expenses.

Resources are required to implement and manage HR's strategic initiatives. Securing approval for those resources from non-HR decision makers requires making a compelling business case demonstrating that the business results of the HR initiative are greater than the resources needed to invest in the initiative.

Making a business case for an HR initiative requires the following steps.