Major project appraisal
When a major project's costs, scope or timing have changed.
Independent analysis of major projects and programs: whether the case still stacks up, what has changed since approval, and what to do next.
Stratos Strategic Advisory · Australia
Evidence-led consultancy and advisory services.
Independent analysis and advice for governments, agencies and organisations facing important decisions. We start with the evidence and work towards clear, practical advice, with a particular focus on public investment, major projects and public finance.
Built for
- Federal, state and local government
- Agencies and statutory bodies
- Infrastructure and project owners
- Peak bodies and not-for-profits
Services
What we do
We test the numbers behind public decisions, design the frameworks that guide them, and write up our findings in plain English for decision-makers and the public.
Investment decision frameworks
When you need a consistent way to decide which projects go ahead.
Design of the decision points and checks that guide capital spending, informed by published Australian and international practice.
Implementation blueprints
When a decision has been made and now has to be delivered.
Turning policy decisions into practical plans, with clear actions, responsibilities, timeframes and supporting procedures.
Public finance & debt analysis
When a budget or debt position needs to be understood and explained.
Analysis of budgets, debt and fiscal trends across federal, state and local government, presented clearly and consistently.
Briefings for media & parliament
When a minister, committee or journalist needs a clear account of the facts.
Plain-English briefings that lead with the key findings, define technical terms and reference their sources so readers can check them.
Evidence review
When figures in a debate or proposal need checking before anyone relies on them.
Independent checking of claims and figures against the public record, to help decisions rest on a sound evidence base.
Deliverables
What you receive
Engagements can end in a document built for its reader, from a one-page summary for a decision-maker to a full operating manual for the team that delivers.
For governments & agencies
Implementation blueprints
A settled recommendation and a step-by-step plan to deliver it, with owners, timeframes, procedures and ready-to-use templates.
For decision-makers
Scorecards & appraisals
Concise, rated assessments of projects and programs that show at a glance what is working, what is at risk and why.
For media, parliament & the public
Briefings & reports
Plain-English briefings that lead with the key findings and reference their sources.
Approach
How we work
A clear, structured process from first conversation to delivered result.
- Step 1
Understand
We gather the evidence and map the full context, then frame the question so it can be answered clearly.
- Step 2
Analyse
We analyse the figures on a consistent, transparent basis and test the options against the evidence.
- Step 3
Recommend
We recommend one clear path and explain why it was chosen over the alternatives.
- Step 4
Deliver
The recommendation becomes practical actions with owners and timeframes, and we can support you through delivery.
Have a decision coming up?
Tell us what you are weighing up. We will tell you plainly whether and how we can help.
About Stratos
Good decisions come from seeing the whole picture before the money moves.
Stratos Strategic Advisory is an independent Australian practice providing evidence-led consultancy and advisory services. We help decision-makers see the whole picture before they commit, with a particular focus on public investment, infrastructure and public finance.
Our work is written for a general reader. Technical terms are defined when first used, findings come first, and the evidence is there for anyone who wants to check it.
Stratos provides strategic, policy and analytical advice. We do not provide legal, financial product, tax, accounting, audit or engineering advice, and we will tell you when you need a specialist.
Evidence-ledSources referenced throughout
IndependentConflicts of interest disclosed up front
ActionableA settled answer and the steps to deliver it
Questions
Before you get in touch
Short answers to the questions people usually ask first.
How does an engagement start?
With a conversation about the decision you face and your timing. If it is work we can do well, we send a written proposal setting out the scope, deliverables, timeframe and fee. Work starts once you accept it.
How are fees set?
Each engagement is quoted individually, based on its scope. The fee and what it covers are agreed in writing before work begins, together with our terms of business.
What if we need advice you don't provide?
We provide strategic, policy and analytical advice only. If your question needs a lawyer, accountant, engineer or licensed financial adviser, we will say so early rather than stretch beyond our expertise.
How is confidential information handled?
Information you share is used only for your engagement and handled as our privacy policy describes. Please don't send sensitive documents through the website form; we will arrange a suitable way to share them.
Contact
Start a conversation
Tell us about the decision, project or question in front of you. We aim to respond within two business days.