What does the OBC aim to optimize?

The Outline Business Case (OBC) primarily aims to optimize Value for Money (VFM). This concept involves ensuring that the resources allocated to a project or initiative yield the maximum possible benefits without wasting resources. VFM is critical in project management, especially in the public sector, where stakeholders expect accountability and justification for the use of taxpayer funds.

Optimizing VFM means considering not just the initial costs but also the long-term benefits, risks, and sustainability of a project. This approach ensures that every dollar spent contributes effectively to achieving strategic goals and delivers satisfactory outcomes that meet or exceed stakeholder expectations. In developing an OBC, various options are assessed not only for their financial implications but also for how they align with the overall objectives of the organization, thus reinforcing the importance of VFM as the focal point of the evaluation.

In contrast, while stakeholder engagement, project timelines, and employee productivity are important factors in project management, they serve more as supporting elements in the broader goal of optimizing VFM. Stakeholder engagement enhances the understanding and support for the project, timely execution contributes to achieving value swiftly, and employee productivity can affect the efficiency of delivery. However, these do not directly define the primary aim of the OBC, which revolves around assessing and ensuring the