Early project appraisal : making the initial choices / Knut Samset.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 274-278) and index.

Attributes of a project -- Successful projects -- Three perspectives on a project -- Three main phases in a project -- Uncertainty, risk and opportunities -- Possibilities of foreseeing -- Strategic guidance and tactical flexibility -- The problem of cost -- The problem of utility -- What is a concept? -- Project alignment : needs, objectives and effects -- Objectives and their formulation -- Methods and analyses in the front-end phase -- Quality of information -- Front-end assessment and the decision to finance a project -- Three steps in front-end assessment : definition, development and appraisal of concept -- Systems analysis -- SWOT analysis -- Strategy analysis : logical framework -- Rough analysis of uncertainty -- Strategic frames for implementation -- Top-down probability-based cost estimation -- Assessing profitability -- Risk analysis -- Probability-based progress analysis -- Evaluating projects -- Boondoggles and white elephants.

"Focusing on turning an initial idea into a project with a successful outcome, this book fills a gap in current literature on project management and is thoroughly grounded in the latest research in this field. It emphasizes the practical application of decision making based on qualitative and judgmental information"-- Provided by publisher.