Infrastructure Australia uses a structured, four-stage process for assessing infrastructure proposals for the Priority List. The four stages of the Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework are:
- Stage 1: Defining problems and opportunities
- Stage 2: Identifying and analysing options
- Stage 3: Developing a business case
- Stage 4: Post completion review.
The key activities of the Capital Framework and the sections of the Capital Framework Business Case template are mapped to each stage of the Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework. The guidance material and reference materials (templates and/or submission checklists) for each stage of the Priority List can be found on the Infrastructure Australia website.
The Assessment Framework also includes four technical guides which support the Assessment Framework stages. The Project Team may refer to these guidelines to inform their project’s development. The supporting guides are:
- Guide to program appraisal
- Guide to multi-criteria analysis (MCA)
- Guide to economic appraisal
- Guide to risk and uncertainty analysis.
Infrastructure Australia does not provide templates for Stages 2-4 to prevent duplication with State, Territory and agency processes. It recommends that submissions at Stages 2-4 conform to the relevant jurisdiction guidelines so long as they include all the required information for Infrastructure Australia’s assessment. Although Infrastructure Australia does provide a template for Stage 1, it notes that submissions are not required to follow the template so long as the submission includes all of the required information. Therefore, the Project Team may submit the Business Case they developed in Stage 2 – Prove (e.g. the Capital Framework Business Case template) once they have confirmed that the Business Case contains the appropriate information and analysis to meet the Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework’s requirements.
Stage 1: Defining problems and opportunities
The sections of the Capital Framework that relate to each section of Stage 1 of the Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework are outlined in the table below.
Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework | Capital Framework | |
Stage 1: Defining problems and opportunities | ||
Section of the Assessment Framework Stage 1 submission | Section of the Capital Framework | |
Step 1 | Identify problems and opportunities | |
Step 2 | Determine the root causes of the problems and opportunities | |
Step 3 | Quantify the cost of the problems and value of the opportunities, in monetary terms where possible | |
In particular, the following sub-sections are likely to be of the most use: | ||
In particular, the following sub-sections are likely to be of the most use: | ||
Other required information does not have a specific section within the Capital Framework. Information is likely to be found within the following sections: | ||
Step 4 | Consider Deliverability of the potential responses | |
In particular, the following sub-sections are likely to be of the most use: | ||
In particular, the following sub-sections are likely to be of the most use: | ||
In particular, the following sub-sections are likely to be of the most use: | ||
Stage 2: Identifying and analysing options
The sections of the Capital Framework that relate to each section of Stage 2 of the Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework are outlined in the table below.
Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework | Capital Framework | |
Stage 2: Identifying and analysing options | ||
Section of the Assessment Framework Stage 2 submission | Section of the Capital Framework | |
Step 1 | Identify a longlist of options | |
The Project Team may also find useful information within the following sections: | ||
Step 2 | Analyse the options | |
The Project Team may also find useful information within the following sections: | ||
Step 3 | Shortlist options for detailed assessment | |
In particular, the following sub-sections are likely to be of the most use: | ||
The Project Team may also find useful information within the following sections: | ||
Stage 3: Developing a business case
The sections of the Capital Framework that relate to each section of Stage 3 of the Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework are outlined in the table below.
Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework | Capital Framework | |
Stage 3: Developing a business case | ||
Section of the Assessment Framework Stage 3 submission | Section of the Capital Framework | |
Step 1 | Analyse options in detail | |
Step 2 | Determine the preferred option | |
Step 3 | Develop the delivery strategy and operations strategy | |
The Project Team may also find useful information within the following analysis (if undertaken): | ||
Step 4 | Document the Business Case | |
Stage 4: Post completion review
The sections of the Capital Framework that relate to each section of Stage 4 of the Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework are outlined in the table below.
Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework | Capital Framework | |
Stage 4: Post completion review |
| |
Section of the Assessment Framework Stage 4 submission | Section of the Capital Framework | |
Step 1 | Step 1: Plan for post completion reviews | |
Step 2 | Step 2: Set the requirements for data capture | |
Step 3 | Step 3: Select reviewers | |
Step 4 | Step 4: Gather information for the review | |
Step 5 | Step 5: Complete the review | |
Further work may be required to undertake the quantitative analysis required for the post completion review | ||
Step 6 | Step 6: Reporting and next steps | |
Footnotes: