A guidebook on public-private partnership in infrastructure

B. SCOPING OF THE PROJECT 
At this stage, the main objectives of the project and the broad terms are 
defined. The project may aim to procure new infrastructure assets and/or 
infrastructure services. It may also require modernization/rehabilitation and 
expansion of an existing asset or may just wish to have its management and 
operation. If creation of new assets is involved, it needs to be emphasized here that 
in most cases the primary focus of a PPP project may not be on creation of new 
infrastructure assets but procurement of infrastructure services. The scoping study 
may also consider how the project fits in any wider plans and programmes of the 
government and the implementation agency, and implementation strategy of the 
project.
The key tasks in this stage would involve: 
• Establish the need for the project and its objectives; 
• Identify service needs and requirements of infrastructure assets for the 
project objectives; 
• Delineate scope of the project; and 
• Outline delivery options and an initial assessment of each option. 
Establish the need for the project and its objectives 
There should be sufficient justification for undertaking any project. It needs to 
be clearly shown how the implementation of the project may help solve an existing 
problem and how it may help achieve the stated objectives of the government. These 
considerations will, in turn, define the broad objectives of the project. 
The project being considered should be in line with an existing plan or with 
other projects that are either being implemented or being considered for 
implementation. It also needs to be examined if implementation of the project would 
bring any radical change in the structure of the industry and, if so, its implications.
Identify services needs and project objectives 
An infrastructure project is developed to provide certain services. Therefore, 
consideration of a project will require clear statement of output/outcome 
requirements. For example, an urban public transport project may be considered to 

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A Guidebook on Public-Private Partnership in Infrastructure
 
 
permit travel of 40,000 passengers/ hour/direction apart from other objectives. A 
project may also be necessary for the replacement of an old/obsolescent asset or to 
meet the requirements specified under a new legislation or government policy.