Building on Evidence: Aalto's Proven Strategies for Effective Business Case Development

Business cases are documents which present a structured and evidence-based case for an investment to be made.

Both government and private sector entities typically have well-established templates and protocols for the information and analysis that should be included, so that they can support a decision by their intended audience.

Our team has developed business cases to support funding initiatives at both the State and Federal Government levels. We have a strong understanding of government approval processes along with the key requirements of successful business cases and investment assessments. We ensure compliance with and adherence to all relevant jurisdictional guidelines to guarantee optimal outcomes are achieved.

Our team has deep expertise in the development of sophisticated economic and financial spreadsheet models for robust project and policy assessment.

We bring together the best techniques to ensure that the assumptions, analysis and outputs from our spreadsheet models are transparent, auditable and easily interpreted by our clients.

Often working with cost planners, operators, designers and a broad array of subject matter experts, we collect, assemble and validate input data for our models and reference all sources and assumptions clearly.

Finally, we recognise that in almost all cases, our models are our clients’ IP. We share our working models with our clients - “we don’t build black boxes”.

The design and implementation of procurement decisions can have a major impact on project risk management and overall cost.

Aalto has experience both designing procurement guidance and frameworks and in their implementation – including development of approach to market documentation, review and selection of preferred suppliers and offers, negotiation support and ongoing management and performance reporting.

Whether a project involves construction or not, procurement is a powerful tool for the achievement of reliable, value for money outcomes whilst minimising risks.

Our team is well versed in the PGPA and Commonwealth Procurement Rules as well as State and Territory legislation and guidance material.

All investment decisions are beset by risks of varying degrees which may threaten the achievement of successful outcomes.

Risk management is a process which is designed to identify, analyse, evaluate, and possibly treat positive or negative risks which may be associated with a project.

Aalto has a long track record of managing and analysing risks – both in a structured qualitative manner (high, medium, low) and as quantified / monetised risks which are converted into expected costs to be faced (unless they are intentionally reduced).

Risk management and analysis is a core capability, relevant to economic and financial analyses and included in investment

Economic Impact Assessment used to communicate how various economic metrics (such as employment, wages, tax receipts, household incomes or productivity) may be impacted over time by a project or proposal. It is often applied as part of a socio-economic appraisal, which collates and communicates a range of measures related to the social welfare and wellbeing (amenity, sustainability, security) of an impacted community or region.

EIA is often applied to a project or proposal after a cost benefit analysis has been used to compare project options and select a recommended action.

It is a powerful tool to measure and explain the broader outcomes of a policy or investment decision to a wide range of stakeholders.

Aalto’s approach to asset management steps beyond an ‘off the shelf’ product or process into working one-on-one with organisations to deliver customised and focused frameworks that meet both the needs of the organisation and any regulatory, funding or oversight bodies. This approach has allowed our clients to better communicate and convey the importance of their assets to meeting their core business objectives, and as a result secure funding, operational support or additional client contracts that reflect this investment and understanding.

Independent reviews are an important part of the project verification process, and should be undertaken as often as possible.

Aalto has experience in the role of independent peer reviewer for several aspects of advisory work, including economic analysis, financial analysis, investment logic mapping and business case preparation.

Peer reviews will typically assess and report on the correctness and accuracy of the evaluation techniques used, as well as the reasonableness of how assumptions have been made and applied in the analysis.