Assessing the options - Critical Success Factors

A1.8 Critical Success Factors (CSFs) are a small number of criteria used at the long-list stage to make strategic choices about options. They support an assessment of how well an option is likely to succeed across the 5 dimensions of a business case and deliver SMART objectives.

A1.9 Key CSFs which should be used to appraise new public spending interventions are given in Box 18. Up to 2 or 3 intervention-specific factors may need to be added. Having too many CSFs can result in a loss of focus. Further changes may be required for non-public spending options. Supplier capacity and capability will not, for example, be relevant for a regulatory intervention.

Box 18. Critical Success Factors

Key Critical Success Factors	Description
Strategic fit and meets business needs	How well the option: meets the agreed spending objectives, related business needs and service requirements provides holistic fit and synergy with other strategies, programmes and projects
Potential Value for Money	How well the option: optimises social value (social, economic and environmental), in terms of the potential costs, benefits and risks
Supplier capacity and capability	How well the option: matches the ability of potential suppliers to deliver the required services appeals to the supply side
Potential affordability	How well the option: can be financed from available funds aligns with sourcing constraints
Potential achievability	How well the option: is likely to be delivered given an organisation's ability to respond to the changes required matches the level of available skills required for successful delivery