Optias uses workshops, decision-tools, and structured stakeholder engagement to uncover the root issues and align people around the right focus. This process also identifies the benefits that are sought by addressing the problems or realising the opportunities. These are described by Smart Logic Mapping as the Investment Logic Mapping process which aims to achieve four key goals:
– Ensure that business cases and grant applications are written for only those initiatives for which there is consensus that the effort and cost is justified.
– Create a logical, structured argument in favour of an initiative that will then inform the business case or grant application. Make sure your story has a clear start, middle and end and can be read as a coherent narrative.
– Provide a means by which demonstrable and meaningful benefits can be defined and agreed upon.
– Present the rationale for a project, program or policy proposal in an easily comprehensible and compelling manner. The process has a focus on using plain language.
Whn the problems are fully defined, Optias prepares comprehensive business cases which describe the investment, how it will be implemented, and the social, economic and environment impacts it is projected to have. Since 2008, Optias has prepared more than 75 business cases for projects across all areas of government activity, for a total estimated investment in excess of $6 billion.
Better decisions
Optias facilitated the decision workshops and prepared the business case for the Box Hill Institute’s $41 million Integrated Technology Hub, a world class facility housed in a 5 star environmentally friendly accredited building with programs aligned to industry requirements.
The South Gippsland Highway realignment improved safety and efficiency by bypassing Korumburra’s steep, winding sections. Optias led decision-making workshops and prepared the business case, ensuring stakeholder alignment and a robust evidence base for investment approval.
The Car Parks for Commuters program adds over 20,000 new and upgraded station car parks across Victoria, improving lighting, safety, and access to public transport. Optias supported decision-making and business case development, devlivering better transport options for all Victorians.
The ACT’s City to the Lake framework envisions reconnecting Canberra’s city centre to Lake Burley Griffin. Optias played failitated Investment Logic Mapping workshops to define core problems, evidence‑based options, and SMART key performance indicators.
Strategic Positioning
All significant decisions must be undertaken within a strategic context. Optias guides organisations through a comprehensive strategic planning process using established processes, defined workshops and stakeholder engagement.
Optias supported the Victorian Cancer Biobank with strategic planning and business case development, strengthening its role as a vital research infrastructure. The biobank collects, stores, and distributes high-quality biospecimens and data, enabling groundbreaking cancer research and advancing treatments that improve outcomes for patients across Victoria and beyond.
Optias provided strategic planning and business case development for the National Road Safety Partnership Program, helping strengthen its collaborative platform. The program brings together more than 130 industry, government, and community partners to share knowledge, innovations, and practical initiatives that reduce road trauma, improve workplace safety, and save lives across Australia.
On behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change Action, Optias conducted a review of its support for the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities. The CRC advances integrated urban water management, fostering innovative solutions that create sustainable, resilient, and liveable cities. As a result of this guidance, the Department continued to support this CRC.
Optias played an initial, important role in the strategic direction of the Victorian Waste and Recovery Policy through the development of a business case regarding its future.
Benefits Realisation
All projects undertaken by organisations are designed to achieve various benefits. These benefits must outweigh the inevitable costs. Optias uses a variety of measures to determine the overall balance between the benefits and costs of an investment. The first measure is financial which is the simplest measure and is essential to support sustainable investments. For environmental and social measures, Optias uses the criteria from tjhe European Sustainable Reporting Standard and the International Association for Impact Assessment. This ensures that investments contribute to the growth of sustainable businesses and the common good.
Below are some projects for which Optias provided strategic guidance.
Radio communication is essential in the control of planned burns and the response to bushfire emergencies. Victoria had 37 radio blackspot regions. This delayed the identification of new small fires, which could spread before they were observed. Responders safety was also put at risk when there was failure of communication. Optias was able to establish a link between radio blackspots and the occurence of major fires, costing Victoria many lives and billions of dollars. The Victorian Government funded a major improvement in radio communications to address these issues
St John of God Midland Public Hospital in Perth, Australia needed to expand to meet its growing population. In addition a new St John of God Midland Private Hospital was planned to offer greater choice for the community at their doorstep, with a wide range of medical and surgical services including interventional cardiology. Optias prepared the benefits analysis, using burden of disease impacts, to assess the impact the redevelopment would have on the Perth community. In conjunction with Ideas Advisory, Optias prepared the business case for this investment.
The old Northcote Aquatic Centre was failing to meet the needs and expectations of its community. Optias developed the business case which showed that a new facility would deliver significant health and social benefits to the community. Darebin City Council decided to invest in a new $63 million facility which is performing exceptionally well, exceeding membership forecasts significantly and demonstrating strong community engagement. The new facility has quickly become a thriving community hub, praised for its inclusive facilities and state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable design.
In collaboration with Arcadus, Optias prepared the initial business case for the development of smarter roads in Victoria. The Victorian Smarter Roads program iaims at improving traffic management across Melbourne’s busiest corridors. It uses smart technology, real-time data, and upgraded signal systems to reduce congestion, enhance safety, and improve travel reliability for road users, supporting more efficient and sustainable urban transport.