scope:

At the present time SMEs are not paying sufficient attention to holistic investment studies. The aim of this VDI Guideline is to provide a framework for such studies. In a similar manner to a business plan, it serves - particularly for small and mediumsized companies - as a guideline which indicates what information and key data are required for a cogent investment-and-cost estimate for a planned project and how this is to be processed. With the result of a project-specific, holistic investment study of this kind on hand, financially negative "surprises" during and after implementation of the project may be avoided, provided that the content is of a high quality and reflects the real situation.

The guideline concept aims at efficiency and transparency with the background objective of working out not only the strategic potential for success but also the associated risks and thereby making project evaluation and decision-making easier.

However, such examinations of the budgeting, and preinvestment and investment analyses will not be of great use if a project has not been adequately defined, planned and evaluated. The reverse approach calls for much greater outlay in both time and costs.

The orientation of investment studies by international standards serves to increase the likelihood of a project actually being implemented and can encourage investors to provide the funds to finance studies of this kind.