Strategic Impact

New proposals can be said to have strategic impacts on organisations if they significantly affect the whole or major part of an organisation over the medium to long term.

Proposals should therefore be considered in terms of their potential scale of impact, and how they fit in with the strategy of the organisation(s) they affect

Economic Rationale

Proposals need to be underpinned by sound economic analysis, which should be provided by a cost benefit analysis in an option appraisal.

Financial Arrangements & Affordability

Proposals need to be affordable, and an affordable financial plan needs to be developed.

Achievability

All proposals should be assessed for their achievability, and recognised programme and project management arrangements set up as necessary.

Commercial & Partnering Arrangements

Proposals need to take account of commercial,  partnering and procurement arrangements;

•  what can be delivered in the market;

•  how costs and benefits can be guaranteed  through  commercial arrangements;

•  how contracts will be managed through to completion.

See the impacts of new proposals on businesses, voluntary sector and charities should be assessed.

Regulatory Impact

A regulatory impact assessment (RIA) is a policy tool that assesses the impact, in terms of costs, benefits and risks of any proposed regulation that could affect businesses, charities or the voluntary sector. It is Government policy that all government departments and agencies where they exercise statutory powers and make rules with general effect on others must produce an RIA.

Legislation

Consideration should be given to legislation specific to the case in hand, as well as statutes that affect many proposals, such as the Human Rights Act, or the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts.

Information Management & Control

The information requirements of proposals, including the data needed for later evaluation, and the supporting IT that may be required.

Environmental Impacts

The effects on the environment should be considered, including air and water quality, land use, noise pollution, and waste production, recycling and disposal.

Rural Issues

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all its policies take account of specific rural circumstances. Appraisers should assess whether proposals are likely to have a different impact in rural areas from elsewhere.

Equality

Impacts on various groups in society should be considered as part of an appraisal. Where appropriate evidence that an Equality Impact Assessment has been conducted and the results taken into account in the formulation and evaluation options.

Health

The impacts of proposals on health should be considered, and evaluation made of the impact on health of poverty, deprivation and unemployment, as well as poor housing or workplace conditions.

Health & Safety

The health and safety of people at work or arising from work activity may need to be safeguarded. Obviously this is of particular concern in construction.

Consumer Focus

Assessments may need to involve consideration of the cost and quality of goods and services, as well as access to, choice of, and information about them.

Regional Perspectives

The Policy Hub provides guidance on how regional perspectives are best incorporated into the policy making process.

European Union

It will often be important to take account of proposals and activities in other European Union countries, as well as specific legislation and regulations. State aid rules are particularly important to consider, as these prescribe the extent to which government can intervene.

Design Quality

The design quality of facilities can be important in ensuring that objectives are successfully achieved. Reference should be made to the SGHD Policy on Design Quality accessible at:

http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/hdl2006_58.pdf