For an online learning program, that may mean researching traditional classroom training and instructional television, for example. Investigate all component costs. Component costs may include instructional design services, authoring software, and training registration fees. Many learning project proposals inadvertently omit one or more of these costs. For example, development costs for classroom courses are admittedly lower than those for most online learning projects, but delivery costs are much higher.
Some business cases focus on development costs.
Others omit key delivery costs, such as the reduced time usually required to take online learning courses. You should provide realistic estimates of component costs based on your research. Use salary surveys to calculate labor costs, and contact publishers and resellers to estimate software costs. Note, too, that some costs are not financial. Anticipate responses to each alternative, and address them in the business case.