2.6 The next step is to consider how best to meet the government's objectives. Options might include direct government delivery, market creation, regulation, tax changes or public information initiatives. There are also a wide variety of delivery and funding options.
2.7 Generating a long-list of options at the start of the appraisal process ensures that a full range of possibilities are considered. This should be informed by stakeholder consultation or engagement, lessons learned from previous interventions, international best practice and the wider evidence base. Starting out with a narrow set of options or a pre-determined solution may miss the opportunity to explore more novel, innovative solutions that might offer better social value.
2.8 Once a long-list is developed it can then be filtered down to a set of viable short-list options ahead of detailed economic analysis. Viability can be assessed from the perspectives of strategic fit to wider policy objectives, potential Value for Money, affordability and achievability. Dependencies and constraints (e.g. legal frameworks) should also be considered.