Single stage business case

Overview

Further to the principles of the business case information available, the following sets out the single stage business case with a relevance to Highways practitioners.

A single stage business case (SSBC) is a fit for purpose approach that merges option identification and detailed analysis in one phase of the business case approach. It is effectively a combined indicative and detailed business case, and the acceptance criteria of both these phases apply to it. A hold point [JPG, 130 KB] is used at the end of optioneering to ensure it is on track.

To summarise, a single stage should:

review and confirm the strategic assessment and strategic context, modifying it as appropriate
evaluate a range of options to identify a preferred option that represents value for money
provide evidence that the preferred option is the best way to respond to the problem and deliver the expected benefits
identify the costs, risks and benefits of the preferred option, including details of the financial, commercial and management aspects of the activity
identify measures for monitoring the performance of the investment.

When investment is complex, funded by multiple parties, of high risk, then a programme business case or indicative and detailed business case may be more suitable to use instead.

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Benefit realisation

Where a project has proceeded from a strategic case to a single stage business case, there is a need to develop investment objectives and a monitoring plan that includes developing SMART investment objectives, including KPIs, measures and baseline data. This is the same requirements that would otherwise have been done at a programme business case phase.

If activity is coming from a programme business case, ensure that the investment objectives set in the PBC are relevant to this activity or it may be necessary to develop activity level investment objectives. Also keep in mind that some PBC objectives may have already been achieved. It is best to link back to the programme to check in on its overall status.

After confirming the investment objectives, assess the preferred option(s) against the investment objectives. This is typically done to a greater level of detail and at the more focused activity level than during a programme business case.

Complete project benefit mapping to the activity level. This should create a clear line of sight between project problems, benefits, investment objectives, measures and KPIs.

Finalise the investment objectives and update the project monitoring plan to reflect any developments or improved evidence, using it as a base for completing the benefits realisation framework. Secure key stakeholder, project team and measure owner acceptance as relevant (as part of the management case), then upload the completed benefits realisation framework to TIO.

If this is part of a wider programme business case, revisit the problems and benefits of the programme and determine the contribution made to the programme level investment objectives by the single stage business case. Document this in the monitoring plan. Update the programme business case if necessary to reflect benefit realisation.

Further information available at the benefit realisation page.

Quality assurance and approvals

Records of quality assurance and approvals should be undertaken in accordance with the System Design and Delivery project assurance and approvals process.

There are also check in points [PDF, 180 KB] to keep in mind in a single stage business case. These hold points are flexible exactly where they are depending on the specific business case.

One check point is mentioned with an investment quality assurance (IQA) based on 12 of the 16 investment questions. The rationale for the check in and IQA is to provide assurance the business case is on the right track, the quality is high, and there is wider organisational buy in to the short listed options prior to public consultation.

This check in or hold point enables the business case developer to check in with the Transport Agency and ensure that:

their proposed investment is aligned with the Investment Assessment Framework
they have understood the risks involved in the investment and are using suitable measures to manage these risks
they're keeping decision makers informed about the option selection and following a no surprises approach.

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Technical requirements

For each phase of the business case process there are technical requirements that may be relevant to your project that will need to be considered and included in addition to general guidance and templates. Aligned to the business case philosophy, suppliers are required to meet more technical requirements as an activity progresses through the business case phases.

Outlined below are the technical requirements for completing the detailed business case, by subject matter.

Suppliers are required to comply with these requirements except where varied within the scope of a contract.

For further information or advice, contact the relevant team.

Subject matter	Technical requirements	Information	Contact
Asset management	SM018 whole of life costs - NPV, IAMP, LAMPs	LAMP page on HIP Annual plan	Asset Management team
Community and stakeholder engagement	Update community engagement plan based on outcomes of the IBC	Community and stakeholder engagement	Environment team
Community and stakeholder engagement	Prepare consultation report on engagement process, outcomes. This report will be used to support applications for statutory approvals		Environment team
Economics	Economic viability tables 8.1 and 8.2 of DBC template - detailed benefits and BCR of options	Economic evaluation manual	Economic Evaluation team
	Outcome delivery - detailed benefits by benefit type
	Risk analysis table 8.3 of the DBC template - sensitivity testing
Electric vehicle public charging infrastructure	Consider requirements to allow electric vehicle (EV) drivers to charge their vehicles while using state highways and local roads Other emerging technologies should also be considered at this stage	Technical advice guidance	EV Programme team
Environment and social responsibility	Update Environmental and Social Responsibility Screen	ESR screen Refer completed screen	Environment team
	Prepare preliminary technical assessments (if required)	Impact assessment guides and the consenting strategy for the project determine level of detail required for environmental or social technical assessments
	Prepare consenting strategy	Consenting strategy and approvals pathway guide and consenting strategy template
	Ensure preliminary design statement incorporates screen results, results of any preliminary technical assessment and consenting strategy including suggested mitigation by: Detailing the philosophy behind optimising the social, environmental and urban design benefits of the option and what treatments may be applied to minimise any negative impacts of the preferred option Identifying the relevant SH Environmental Plan objectives and considering how the option gives effect to these objectives	State highway environmental plan
	Scope environmental and social technical assessments to support consenting strategy	ESR Standard explanation
Geotechnical	Preliminary geotechnical appraisal report	Requirements currently detailed in SM030	Structures team
	Geotechnical testing and assessment undertaken with results presented in a Geotechnical assessment report (factual report) and interpreted in a Geotechnical interpretative report
	Assumed design parameters for subgrade strength and fill and cut batter slopes presented in Preliminary design philosophy statement
Pavements	Pavement design required - not at detailed design level	NZ supplement to the 2004 Austroads pavement design guide Austroads Guide to Pavement technology: Part 2, Pavement Structural Design(external link) Sections to consider: 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10	Pavements team
Property	Acquisition agent to negotiate access to specific parcels of land. Compile due diligence information and update the risk assessment for each. Surplus property is incorporated into the 5 year disposal programme		Property team
Risk	As the project lifecycle transitions through the business case phases the increasing maturity of programme data and clarity of understanding should be reflected in an increasing depth of maturity in the level of risk management data and application of risk management practices	Project risk management	Risk team
Road safety	Road safety audit - concept audit	Road safety audit procedures	Safety team
Road safety	Design - review of compliance with guidelines - exception report	Austroads guide to road design - part 3, 4 & 6 Technical memoranda HIP Safety page	Safety team
Statutory approvals	Prepare preliminary planning assessment of relevant planning and statutory framework	P&I knowledge base framework(external link) P&I planners to provide advice as necessary(external link)	Environment team
	Prepare preliminary technical assessments (as required)	Subject matter impact assessment guides
	Evaluate consenting package options and the different decision making pathways Prepare consenting strategy If EPA process preferred, refer to NZTA-EPA relationship protocol Prepare preliminary assessments of alternatives, consultation report and statutory consultation requirements	Consenting strategy guide Consent management
	Scope environmental and social technical assessments to support consenting strategy	Impact assessment guides will help prepare scope
Structures	Preliminary structure options report(s), developed to identify alternative options for bridges and other highway structures (category 1 and 2 structures only), to be included within the Preliminary design philosophy statement	Bridge manual appendix F Model document in annex F1	Structures team
Transport modelling	Economic viability - detailed benefits	Transport model development guidance	Design Practice and Solutions team

Tools

Forms and templates

Title	Type	Document	PDF
Single stage business case document	SSBC outline	Word [DOCX, 1.1 MB]	PDF [PDF, 295 KB]
Funding application for Project Owner to complete available from SDDOPPP.delegations@nzta.govt.nz

Guidelines

Title	Download
Single stage hold point	PDF [PDF, 180 KB]
Benefits realisation framework	PDF [PDF, 112 KB]

For further information contact designpracticesolutions@nzta.govt.nz.

Learning zone business case modules

Access keys for nzta.govt.nz