1.4  The Structure of this Guidance

The options appraisal process involves the following steps:

•  Preparing for the options appraisal;

•  Setting the objectives of the appraisal;

•  Defining the evaluation criteria;

•  Deciding the weighting to be applied to each criterion;

•  Developing a methodology for scoring options and calculating cost;

•  Selecting options;

•  Evaluating the options against the criteria; and

•  Drawing conclusions from the scores awarded.

The remainder of the guidance is structured to reflect these steps. Each Section examines a single step in detail and provides guidance on the specific issues that arise.