1. Making the Business Case for OpenStack Components

2. 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

3. 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

4. Show Current State 1. Input current state data
Simply enter in values in the green boxes

5. 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

6. Show Project 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

7. Show Target 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

8. Show Target State Costs
3A: Review the impact in dollar terms

9. Customize the 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

10. Document Unquantifiable Benefits
Using OpenStack Sahara as an example, additional soft benefits include:

11. Make it 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
& Tom’s IT