AAOM Handbook

WA.13 Is There an Alternative Approach? Context

The review process for a Work Request has so far established a scope of work technically suitable to the sustainable (i.e. dealing responsibly with safety, the environment, employees, communities, governments and asset life), effective and efficient performance of a business area. However, these outcomes must be achieved at a cost that the business area can sustain, that is within the constraints of the approved expenditure budget or current approved forecast (the term forecast will be used to refer to either the budget or current approved forecast). To help make this decision an Upper Cost Limit was estimated for the scope of work that was defined during the review of the request. Therefore, as part of the approval process, an assessment must be made whether:  Funds are available in the forecast,  There are lower cost alternatives for achieving the same outcomes, or  Other work may need to be deleted from the forecast, modified or deferred to make funds available for this work, and  Any hazards and risks related to amendments of the forecast activities are adequately addressed. If uncommitted funds are not available for the Work Request from other activities within the forecast of the business area, or from activities in a larger group of business area forecasts, either an alternative approach to meeting the purpose (or some of the purpose) of the request must be found, or the request cannot proceed. Purpose To decide if there is alternative approach that will satisfy the purpose of the Work Request. Quantity One decision whether there is any other option that will wholly or partly meet the purpose of the Work Request. Quality The criteria to be used for this decision are:  Is there a less expensive alternative to satisfy the purpose of the request?  Is there a temporary correction or control, that the forecast can support, that will achieve the essential purpose of the Work Request and allow the more extensive work to be included in a future forecast?