Small teams often lose funding because the case runs to ten pages or hides the number that matters. This template answers first: three headline figures, four numbered findings covering problem, option, cost and benefit, and a decision box that says what you want approved and what happens if benefits fall short.

The sample shows Cobbleton Works asking owners for $84,000 to replace spreadsheet scheduling, with $12,600 a year in running costs, $48,000 a year in benefits and payback in 28 months. Replace the problem, options, costs and benefit owners with yours, then test the result at 20% lower benefits.