B.4 The TAP process, in line with the Green Book business case guidance, approves project business cases at three points. Where deemed appropriate, HMT will set additional approval points in addition to these. The three approval points are outlined in the table below.
Table 3.E: Timings of Treasury approval
| Treasury Approval Point | Applicability | How does the approval point relate to MPA Assurance? |
| Strategic Outline Business Case Project initiation stage | All new Major Projects to ensure strategic fit, value for money and deliverability. Approval required before any public commitment is made. | Preceded by at least one of the following: Starting Gate OGC Gateway Review 1 Project Assessment Review (PAR) |
| Outline Business Case Pre-market stage | All Major Projects to assess all options in detail. Approval required before going to the market/issuing OJEU notice. | Preceded by at least one of the following: OGC Gateway Review 2 |
| Full Business Case Pre-final negotiation stage | All Major Projects pre - spending commitments Approval required before finalising commercial contracts. For projects using competitive dialogue as a procurement route, approval required before close of dialogue. | Preceded by at least one of the following: OGC Gateway Review 3 |
B.5 The Green Book page of the Treasury website has a range of tools to help support, explain and provide practical assistance for both the creation and the assessment of business cases. This is available at: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/data_greenbook_business.htm
3.16 The TAP process takes into account MPA assurance. HMT will not normally approve projects if the appropriate assurance processes (as set out in the project's Integrated Assurance and Approval Plan) have not been followed.