This step defines the external environment in which the project alliance operates and defines the relationship between the alliance members. This may include, for example:
• the business, social, regulatory, cultural, competitive, financial and political environment;
• the organisation's strengths, weaknesses and opportunities, and threats it faces;
• external stakeholders; and
• key business drivers.
It is particularly important to take into account the external context regarding the alliance because of the extent of the externally-generated risks that alliance must manage.