2: Business Case and stakeholders

Areas to probe

Evidence expected

2.1 Is the project still required?

· Confirmation that the project still fits with strategic objectives, including government/organisational objectives

· Confirmation that external factors have not affected current priorities.

2.2 Is the Business Case complete?

· Re-assessment of updated Business Case, including strategic, economic, financial, commercial and project management factors.

2.3 Does the recommended way forward meet the business need?

· Key objectives revisited against final bid and proposed solution.

2.4 Has the most appropriate option been selected?

· Cost/benefit/risk analysis against final bid information and results of evaluation, including sensitivity analysis

· For construction projects, whole-life design quality, cost and time optimised as far as possible.

2.5 Does the commercial arrangement represent value for money, with an appropriate level of quality over the whole life of the project?

· Market assessment, other organisational benchmarks and previous experience

· Results of evaluation (note that clients with existing commercial arrangements must address this area)

· Where appropriate, assessment of supplier's funding arrangements.

2.6 Is the client realistic about their ability to manage the change?

· Documented understanding of cultural implications, where appropriate; account has been taken of the current organisational culture

· Comparison with others.

2.7 Does the Detailed Business Case, when incorporating the delivery solution, still demonstrate affordability?

· Detailed Business Case incorporating bid information, including:

o changes from budgetary figures

o returns and value re-calculated with new benefits plan

o costs compared with budget, pre-tender estimates.

2.8 Is there an agreed benefits realisation plan?

· Benefits management strategy and plans including:

o critical success factors

o individuals responsible for delivering and achieving benefits identified

o agreed process for measuring and assessing benefit

o data available on measurement baselines for benefits assessment

o post-implementation review plan identifies review points and benefits to be assessed; payment mechanisms linked to benefits realisation, where appropriate.

2.9 Have suitable stakeholders, business and user representatives been involved and have they approved the tender evaluation report and draft contract?

· Involvement of stakeholders and business or user representatives in quality and proposal reviews

· The views of all stakeholders, including users, have been taken into account

· Representation on the Evaluation Team

· Approval by Project Board or steering group.