Starting Gate Review

Introduction

Starting Gate Review is an assurance product designed for Programmes/Projects centred around policy interventions and should take place well before any delivery cycle gets properly underway.

Purpose

The purpose of a Starting Gate review is to help departments identify practical issues early in the policy-to-delivery lifecycle. It helps set up programme and projects to succeed from the outset.

Timing of Starting Gate Review

A Starting Gate review should be engaged at the earliest point in development of a policy or business change when enough work has been done to provide a meaningful basis for assessment but before the project is underway. The review normally occurs well before delivery, and usually at or before the development of the Strategic Outline Case (SOC).

Areas explored

Five high level issues are explored as standard in every Starting Gate:

1. Business case basics

a. Aims and objectives

b. Options – is there a proposed option and will it achieve the aim/s?

c. What are the fallbacks/other options?

d. What must be considered and/or cannot be ignored?

2. Timeline

3. Team capability

4. Finances – estimated cost and available budget

5. Risks

The nature and focus of additional exploration will vary, as each Starting Gate is tailored to the initiative concerned.

Commissioning a Starting Gate Review

Agreement to proceed with a Starting Gate review in the NICS comes from discussions with the relevant CDG Departmental Assurance Co-ordinator. Email CDG@finance-ni.gov.uk for further guidance.