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Checking the concept plan

The final step is for the project sponsor to review and approve that the concept plan is of sufficient quality to proceed. Useful points for review are that the plan:

• indicates how the project contributes to broader entity goals – for example client satisfaction, entity flexibility and capability, cost control, and enabling staff;
• communicates accurately and effectively the high-level business outcomes and associated project requirements;
• has support, as appropriate, from stakeholders; and
• has a sound underlying logic – that is, the project requirements, at the current summary level, will reliably lead to the desired outcomes.

In addition, if during the concept planning process any significant assumptions, risks or constraints have been identified these should be recorded in the concept plan.

With informed support and understanding of the concept, the next step is preparation of a business case seeking funding.

Depending on the entity’s internal processes, the decision to invest effort in a business case may be taken by the project sponsor, or may require approval centrally within the entity.

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Next: Ensuring feasibility: the business case