scope:

Purpose of the Manual

The aim of the Business Case Development Manual is to provide a uniform framework for the evaluation and presentation of business cases across Transport for London (TfL) as a whole, including corporate units as well as subsidiaries. This will enable authorising bodies within Transport for London and its subsidiaries, and the Department for Transport (DfT), to make informed decisions on whether to approve proposals for change. Business case appraisal is an essential part of all stages of expenditure planning throughout TfL and all its subsidiaries.

All business cases involving capital expenditure, changes in day to day operating expenditure, and the setting and revision of engineering and other standards should be prepared according to the requirements of this manual.

However, major strategic changes (such as railway extensions and intermediate mode schemes) will require more sophisticated demand modelling than is described in this manual. In addition, major projects which have a potentially wider network effect such as line extensions or large-scale interchange schemes are likely to require the DfT's New Approach to Transport Appraisal (NATA) format to be produced (see Appendix I).

The Public Service (Social Value) Act 2012 requires a contracting public authority to consider how a proposed procurement might improve the social, economic and environmental well-being of its area. Following the processes and procedures set out in this manual will ensure that the business case is compliant with this Act.