10. The initial business case comprises notably the following studies:
1° Update of description and justification of the need
This study updates the description of the situation and the issues expressed by the public body in its strategic presentation document. It also updates the analysis confirming the need for the infrastructure in question and the ties between the need expressed, government priorities, strategic objectives, and the public body's regional priorities.
2° Update of anticipated results
This study updates the main anticipated results, notably in terms of functionalities and the requirements associated with the expected performance, particularly with regard to the services provided the target clienteles, by specifying the desired project timeframe.
3° Detailed evaluation of options, including the status quo
This study presents a detailed assessment of the options available for meeting the need. For each option, taking into account the life cycle of the infrastructure, the detailed assessment addresses the following aspects:
a) Technical and technological feasibility (preliminary studies)
b) Impact on human resources
c) Regulatory, legal, and environmental impacts
d) Consideration of sustainable development principles
e) Impacts of the project on the natural and built environment, including historical, heritage, and archeological potential
f) Risk analysis, presenting for each risk the potential impacts and planned attenuation measures
g) Financial and sensitivity analyses
The sensitivity analysis evaluates the impacts of the fluctuation of certain key hypotheses on the results of the financial analysis and checks its quality.
h) Cost-benefit analysis
This study also indicates the consequences for the target clienteles of not constructing the infrastructure (status quo).
4° Drawing up of the functional and technical program (FTP) and preconcept or opportunity studies, depending on whether a building, transportation infrastructure, or other civil engineering work is involved
The objective of this study is to describe all the needs and anticipated results. In order to achieve this, the following key components must be taken into consideration:
a) Timeframe
b) Costs
c) Quality
d) Level of public or user satisfaction
e) Risks
Performance requirements are expressed in the form of the characteristics the infrastructure must present and the minimum functions it must fulfill. They are established based on the anticipated results listed previously.
5° Preferred option and its estimated cost
This study indicates the preferred option based on the following:
a) The estimated capital cost for the project and the potential margin of error
b) Timeframes and their degree of accuracy
6° Update of the sociopolitical issue analysis and management plan
This study updates the sociopolitical issue management plan described in the strategic presentation document and indicates the costs associated with its implementation.
7° Evaluation of the delivery approaches for the preferred option, indicating the most appropriate
This study determines the most appropriate project delivery approach, in quantitative and qualitative terms.
If there is potential for a PPP, this approach is compared with at least two others, including the turnkey and the public body's usual approach. If the public body generally uses a PPP or a turnkey approach, another approach must be used for comparison.
If there is no potential for a PPP, at least two delivery approaches must be compared, namely the turnkey approach with the public body's usual approach. If the public body generally uses the turnkey approach, another must be selected for comparison.
8° Assessment of the budgetary impact
This study assesses the budgetary impact of the preferred option.
9° Communications plan
This study presents and discusses the communications strategy related to the infrastructure project.
10° Cost estimate of the studies required to develop the final business case
This study estimates the costs of the studies required to develop the final business case and indicates whether the necessary funds are available. It also gives the deadline for conducting the studies.
11. When preparing the initial business case, the public body may decide to carry out its project in phases. In this case, it prepares an initial business case for each phase.
In addition to a summary of the overall project, the initial business case comprises the studies mentioned in Section 10 for each phase.
12. Based on work carried out by the public body responsible for the project and by Infrastructure Québec, the board of directors of Infrastructure Québec approves the initial business case.
13. The minister responsible for the public body submits a brief on the initial business case to Cabinet, together with the strategic presentation document.
Prior to the decision by Cabinet, a recommendation from the Conseil du trésor is required on the initial business case, following an analysis by the Secrétariat du Conseil du trésor in view of the application of this framework policy.
After examining the brief, Cabinet may authorize the minister responsible for the public body to develop the final business case.