Which stage of the project Business Case development process involves conducting a SWOT analysis with indicative costs?

The stage of the project Business Case development process that involves conducting a SWOT analysis along with indicative costs is the Strategic Outline Case (SOC). This stage is crucial as it sets the foundation for decision-making by identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats pertinent to the proposed project.

In the SOC, the analysis helps in understanding the project's strategic fit within the organizational goals and the wider environment. By incorporating indicative costs, stakeholders can gauge the financial implications and feasibility of the options before moving into more detailed planning. This allows for an informed discussion on the merits and challenges of various business options and ensures that the chosen direction aligns well with both organizational strategy and available resources.

The other stages, while important, focus on different aspects of business case development. For instance, the Outline Business Case (OBC) often provides a more detailed evaluation of options and financial assessments. The Full Business Case (FBC) includes comprehensive planning and finalization of the proposal, often following the insights gained from the SOC. The Business Option Case (BOC) typically examines specific business options but does not delve as broadly into the strategic analysis that a SWOT provides at the SOC stage.