Guide Origin: Official | ArcKit Version: [VERSION]
Use /arckit:sobc to produce HM Treasury Green Book Strategic Outline Business Cases. The command pulls from stakeholders, risks, and principles to assemble the five-case model with traceability back to ArcKit artefacts.
Flow at a Glance
1. /arckit:principles
2. /arckit:stakeholders
3. /arckit:risk
4. /arckit:sobc ← generates SOBC (`projects/<id>/ARC-<id>-SOBC-v1.0.md`)
5. /arckit:requirements (only if SOBC approved)
Do not skip steps 2–3: stakeholder drivers feed benefits; risks drive optimism bias and management case.
Five-Case Matrix
| Case | Key Questions | ArcKit Inputs | Output Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic | Why change? Who cares? | Stakeholder map, principles, problem statement | Problem/vision, stakeholder alignment, scope |
| Economic | Which option wins? | Risk register, research, Wardley map (optional) | Option shortlist, cost/benefit table, NPV & ROI |
| Commercial | How will we buy? | Procurement strategy, supplier insights | Route to market (G-Cloud/DOS/open tender), contract model |
| Financial | Can we afford it? | Cost estimates, finance constraints | Funding profile, affordability analysis, sensitivity |
| Management | Can we deliver it? | Project plan, risk register, governance model | Delivery approach, roles (SRO/SI), change plan, benefits realisation |
Command Usage
# minimal
/arckit:sobc Create SOBC for NHS appointment booking modernisation
# emphasise public sector controls
/arckit:sobc Create SOBC for HMRC cloud migration referencing TCoP and spend controls
Outputs are markdown-first (projects/<id>/ARC-<id>-SOBC-v1.0.md). Use Docs → Export to produce PDF if needed.
Review Checklist
- Executive summary states investment ask, recommendation, and headline benefits.
- Benefits map back to stakeholder goals (IDs referenced in text).
- Risk section cites HIGH risks with mitigation owners and review cadence.
- Procurement route aligns with spend controls (Digital Marketplace, OJEU, etc.).
- Management case lists governance forums and stage gates.
- Annex includes dependencies on related programmes (if any).
After the SOBC
| If outcome is… | Next step |
|---|---|
| Approved | Proceed to /arckit:requirements, update project plan, and start procurement preparation. |
| Conditional | Address actions (often risk mitigations or cost refinements) then re-run /arckit:sobc. |
| Rejected | Revisit stakeholder goals, problem statement, or option appraisal; consider discovery reset. |
Store the final SOBC alongside board minutes and upload to approval tooling as evidence.