Stage 1 – Develop includes a number of steps that a Project Team should follow to identify an existing problem or opportunity and determine how Government should address the problem or realise the opportunity.
The Early Presentation of Project (EPP) is a critical initial step in Stage 1 – Develop to enable MPC, FABG and ICA to provide guidance on a project’s development early in the process and to initiate discussions with other Government stakeholders. The Project Team should hold an EPP as early as possible during the initial stages of a project’s development.
EPP in the Capital Framework process
Tier requirements
- Tier 1 projects: For proposed investments that the Project Team has identified indicatively as Tier 1, it is mandatory for the Project Team to undertake an EPP
- Tier 2 projects: For proposed investments that the Project Team has identified indicatively as Tier 2, it is mandatory for the Project Team to undertake an EPP. Where appropriate, proposed Tier 2 investments with similar characteristics should be bundled into a single EPP
- Tier 3 projects: For proposed investments that the Project Team has identified indicatively as Tier 3, the Project Team is recommended to undertake an EPP. Proposed Tier 3 investments with similar characteristics should be bundled into a single EPP.
The Project Team should hold an EPP for Programs and Precincts, as well as for each project of a Program or Precinct.
Purpose of this section
The purpose of this section is to support Directorates and Agencies in preparing for an EPP. It describes the objectives of an EPP and the processes Directorates and Agencies are required to follow when undertaking an EPP.
Objectives of the Early Presentation of Project
The main purpose of the EPP is for the Project Team to start discussions with MPC, FABG, ICA and other Government stakeholders to seek guidance and feedback on a project’s development as early in the process as possible.
The specific objectives of the EPP are for the Project Team to:
- Present the outputs of initial activities undertaken by the Sponsoring Directorate, including the indicative findings of early project analysis and preliminary views on the project’s Tier allocation, for discussion with MPC, FABG and ICA
- Seek guidance from MPC, FABG and ICA to support the project’s development under the Capital Framework, including guidance on the activities required under Stage 1 – Develop and possible activities required under Stage 2 – Prove
- Present the anticipated key wellbeing impacts on the environment and community, including any impacts on specific groups within the community, aligning these with relevant domains within the ACT Wellbeing Framework. While completing a Wellbeing Impact Assessment (WIA) is not required at this stage, it may be useful to use the WIA template to create an early overview of impacts
- Consideration of funding options other than capital appropriation (for example, user charging and/or property value uplift) and financing mechanisms to meet upfront capital costs
- For Programs and Precincts, to discuss initial views on the approach to developing a Program or Precinct Business Case and the Tier allocation of a Program or Precinct and its individual projects
- For individual projects of a Program or Precinct, to identify whether the Project Team needs to update the overarching Program or Precinct Business Case.
For more information on finalising the EPP discussions, refer to the Next steps section of this guidance.
Collaboration is a critical principle of the Capital Framework
To ensure successful project development, the Project Team must ensure that strong and continuous collaboration occurs with key stakeholders throughout the entire Capital Framework process. These key stakeholders should include MPC, FABG and ICA, as well as other Directorates or Agencies that may have an interest in the project (such as those responsible for, or affected by, its delivery or operations) or are responsible for interrelated projects. Collaboration will support:
- More comprehensive and robust project development
- A greater understanding of the project’s risks, uncertainties and challenges and any mitigation measures required
- A greater understanding of the project’s opportunities to optimise its expected benefits and support the wellbeing of the community and environment in alignment with the ACT Wellbeing Framework
- Early identification of project interdependences to reduce inefficiencies and manage interfaces appropriately
- More seamless review and approval processes as key stakeholders have been involved throughout the process
- A higher likelihood of project success.
The EPP allows for initial collaborative discussions between the Sponsoring Directorate, MPC, FABG, ICA and other relevant Directorates and Agencies, which should continue through remainder of the Capital Framework.
Timing
The Project Team can hold an EPP at any time in the year (as its timing is not linked to the Budget cycle).
The Project Team should hold an EPP as early as practicable to inform the subsequent activities of Stage 1 – Develop and those required to progress the proposed investment from this stage to Stage 2 – Prove. The timing of the EPP should give the Project Team adequate time to finalise the activities required in Stage 1 – Develop and to prepare a robust Business Case in Stage 2 – Prove before submission for Budget funding.
Staging of the Investment Logic Workshop (ILW) and the EPP
Ideally, the EPP should be undertaken before the ILW. Depending on the project, there may be circumstances where it is appropriate for the Project Team to undertake the EPP and the ILW in a single workshop. If the Project Team deems this to be the case for its project, the Project Team should discuss this with ICA.
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