Business case review services

A business case review tests your case before Treasury does. We read it the way a decision-maker will, find where the logic, evidence or narrative will not hold, and show you how to fix it while there is still time. Ideas Advisory offers two levels of review for Victorian Government agencies, from a rapid peer read of an early draft to a full independent assessment before a Gateway gate.

Every review is built on the frameworks the Victorian Government actually uses to judge an investment: the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) 16-Question Tool, the Gateway Review methodology (Gates 1 and 2), and the Investment Management Standard (IMS), including the Investment Logic Map (ILM), Benefit Map and Response Options Analysis Report (ROAR).

Why Ideas Advisory

Greg Gough helped create the DTF 16-Question Tool these reviews are built on, and co-authored every edition of the Investment Management Standard, from version 1 to version 6. He has been an accredited Gateway reviewer since 2008 and has completed more than 150 independent reviews with the tool. The cases Ideas Advisory supports carry a success rate above 90 per cent. You are having your case tested by one of the people who wrote the test, before it reaches the people who will apply it.

Formal business case review

A full, independent review for funding and assurance readiness.

This is the review to book when a case is heading for a funding decision or a Gateway gate. It strengthens the investment case, sharpens the alignment with government priorities, finds the failure points that sink cases, and confirms the case is ready for assessment.

The review works through the DTF 16-Question Tool and tests the four elements every case stands or falls on: the problem, the benefits, the response and the solution. We read the supporting artefacts alongside the case, the Investment Logic Map, the Benefit Map, the Response Options Analysis Report, the risk register and the delivery plan, and we talk to the authors and project leads so the review reflects what the case is really trying to do.

You receive a written review report structured against the DTF 16-Question Tool, your documents marked up with line-by-line comments, and a verbal debrief with the project team or sponsor. Where it helps, we will present the findings to your executive or committee. Typical turnaround is one to two weeks.

Red pen review

A rapid peer review focused on the strategic why.

When a draft is still taking shape, a fast, direct read is worth more than a formal report. The red pen review is a light-touch pass with the DTF 16-Question Tool that concentrates on the things that decide a case early: is the problem clear, are the benefits real and measurable, and does the strategic logic hold together. It does not cover delivery or financial analysis.

It suits early drafts, cases that have been returned or knocked back and need reframing, drafts being readied before a DTF conversation, and mid-stage cases that need a quick logic check. You receive your draft marked up with comments, a short summary of where to focus by email, and an informal discussion if you want one. There is no formal report. Typical turnaround is two to three days.

Which review suits you

What we review, and when

We review at any stage: early drafts, mid-stage cases, final drafts before submission, and cases that have been returned. We review every type of case: asset proposals (capital infrastructure and ICT), output funding bids, business-as-usual and lapsing program renewals, programmatic or multi-stream proposals, and preliminary business cases.

If the case needs building rather than reviewing, our business case development service covers that.

Book a review

Send us the draft and the deadline, and we will tell you which review fits and what it will take to get the case funded. Email info@ideasadvisory.com.au or call +61 0411 885 889 to start.