Decision Tree

1. Is the proposed project one of the 10 in 10?

  • If not, how would it fit into the 10 in 10?

2. What is the purpose/goal of the project?

  • What are the benefits of the project?
  • What constituencies are served by it?
  • What are the lost opportunity costs if it’s not done?
    • Will we lose or diminish past investments?
  • Does the project have component parts that can be identified and segregated?
  • How does the project relate to the other 10 in 10?
    • Is there overlap? Can there be overlap?
    • Is there potential for enhancing the project by increasing relationships with another project? Have we explored this?
    • Can the project be logically co-located? Would that save money?
    • Is the project something that creates a platform for another project?
    • Is the project diminished by attempting to coordinate?

3. How does this project build on existing assets?

  • What are the assets we currently have that point to the success of the project?
  • Are existing assets enhanced?
  • Without it, are existing projects stunted or slowed?

4. What are the best practices?

  • Are there alternative approaches to achieve the goals/benefits or to serve constituencies?
  • How do alternatives compare to the proposal?
  • Would those approaches create conflict with other goals or constituencies?
  • Would those approaches decrease costs?

5. What’s the timeline?

  • Why do it now? If not now, when?
  • Are there unique issues such as licensing or accreditation that impact the project?
  • Should this project be phased?
    • Is there something that should come before?
    • IS there something that could come after if phasing is needed because of money?

6. What is the economic and quality of life impact of the project?

  • How will it impact the health of the community?
  • Will it create permanent jobs, temporary jobs?
  • What impact will it have on the tax base?
  • How will it impact the need for public services?
  • Does it impact the public at large? In what way?
  • Does it address existing quality of life concerns?
  • What is the geographic reach? What should it be?

7. What does the project cost?

  • What are the expected capital costs?
  • What costs may occur for Operation & Maintenance (O&M)?
    • Annual?
    • Variations?
    • Incremental increases over time? If so, how often?
  • How/ why was the project sized in this way?
    • How does it compare to similar projects?
  • Any unique/ unusual costs? (eg. costs of endowed chairs)
  • Does it partially or fully replace existing programs or assets?
  • Are there any cost efficiences?
    • Link to other projects?
    • Co-locate?
    • Leverage?
  • Are there other way to reduce costs?

8. What are the mechanisms for funding this project?

  • Are any sources mandatory?
  • What are possible sources of funding?
    • Is financing an option?
    • Are there any one time sources? Unique money?
  • Can the source of funding for a project also be a source of funding for another project of is it limited (dedicated revenue)?
  • Are the sources available for all costs of for just capital, O&M, specific or unique costs?
  • Are there sources that lead to other sources of funds but are prerequisites?
  • What impact would a source have on a tax rate?
  • What happens if a source doesn’t come through?
    • Can the loss of money be made up elsewhere from other sources?

9. Is there a meed for an election?

  • By which entity?
  • On what timeline?

10. Is there the need for legislative action?

  • Is it mandatory or preferred? if preferred, what are the complications if legislative action not achieved?
  • Will the timeline be delayed if it takes two sessions?

11. What is the administrative governance?

  • Who is in charge of construction? Operation? Maintenance? Employment?
  • Can/ does administration overlap with other projects?
  • How do we assure integration of projects?
  • Should we create a new administrative system?
  • Does governance impact money/ funding?
  • Where are potential conflicts?