Business Cases, Options and ScopeResource

Options Appraisal

Comparing feasible options against agreed criteria.

Options appraisal compares feasible courses of action against criteria such as benefits, cost, risk, timescale, strategic fit and deliverability. It provides transparent evidence for recommending a preferred option.

How to use this tool

  1. Define the decision and options

    Define the decision, constraints and viable options.

  2. Agree your weighted criteria

    Agree weighted criteria covering value, cost, risk and feasibility.

  3. Gather evidence and score

    Gather evidence and score consistently.

  4. Test and recommend an option

    Test sensitivity, document trade-offs and recommend an option.

References & further reading

Winter, H. (2023). The Business Analysis Handbook: Techniques to Deliver Better Business Outcomes, 2nd ed. Kogan Page. ISBN 9781398610132.