The State Project Model for large investments sets requirements for methodology and quality when large state investment projects are to be considered. Investment projects with an estimated total cost of more than NOK 1 billion (NOK 300 million for digitalisation projects) are covered by the requirements. The model can also be applied to smaller projects.

The requirements stipulate that projects must undergo external quality assurance before presenting the decision basis to the Government and the parliament. This approach promotes thorough methodological studies before decisions on government investments are made. The goal is to avoid misguided investments and maintain effective control over costs and benefits throughout the planning and implementation phases, ensuring that society’s resources are used as efficiently as possible.

The State Project Model comprises two extensive appraisal studies followed by external Quality Assurance reviews in an investment project’s planning process:

• QA1 – Quality assurance of choice of concept before Cabinet decision to start a pre-project
• QA2 – Quality assurance of the management base and cost estimates before the project is submitted to Parliament for approval and funding.

The Ministry of Finance has a framework agreement with seven consortia of external advisers to conduct quality assurance. The agreement specifies the requirements for the content of both QA1 and QA2. The current framework agreement was entered into in September 2023.

The government circular Rundskriv R-108/23  describes the model.

The Concept Research Programme follows the State Project Model closely. Our researchers systematically collect data and research the projects, participating in various forums for experience exchange and further development of the model. However, the Concept programme is not part of the project model itself.