Appraisal
For information about appraisals that might take place in the early stages of a project, see: Options appraisal.
Other articles about appraisals on Designing Buildings include:
- Assessment.
- Development appraisal.
- Hydrogeological Impact Appraisal HIA.
- Initial cost appraisal for design and construction.
- Landscape and visual appraisal
- Options appraisal.
- Site appraisal.
- Strategic Environmental Appraisal.
- Sustainability appraisal.
- Tender appraisal.
A number of industry definitions of the word 'appraisal' are listed below.
Guide to developing the project business case, Better business cases: for better outcomes, published by HM Treasury in 2018, defines appraisal as: ‘…the process of defining objectives, examining options and weighing up the relevant costs, benefits, risks and uncertainties before a decision is made.’
Guide for Effective Benefits Management in Major Projects, published by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority in October 2017, defines appraise as: ‘Assessment of the value or quality of different options against similar criteria.
Roles in construction projects: analysis and terminology, by Hughes, W. and Murdoch, J. R, published in 2001 by the University of Reading, defines appraisal as: ‘Used by the CIC as a generic description of much of the early work in initiating a project.’
The National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England, Glossary, published by the Environment Agency in 2020, defines appraisal as: ‘…the process of defining the problem, setting objectives, examining options; and assessing outcome benefit (including benefit: cost ratio). The process also includes weighing up costs, impacts, (positive and negative) risks and uncertainties, in order to make a decision.’
Guide for effective benefits management in major projects, published on 20 October 2017 by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and the Cabinet Office defines appraise as: ‘Assessment of the value or quality of different options against similar criteria.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Business case.
- Business plan.
- Development appraisal.
- Hydrogeological Impact Appraisal HIA.
- Initial cost appraisal for design and construction.
- Landscape and visual appraisal
- Options appraisal.
- Preliminary business case.
- Site appraisal.
- Strategic Environmental Appraisal
- Sustainability appraisal.
- Tender appraisal.
Featured articles and news
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”
Guidance notes to prepare for April ERA changes
From the Electrical Contractors' Association Employee Relations team.
Significant changes to be seen from the new ERA in 2026 and 2027, starting on 6 April 2026.
First aid in the modern workplace with St John Ambulance.
Ireland's National Residential Retrofit Plan
Staged initiatives introduced step by step.
Solar panels, pitched roofs and risk of fire spread
60% increase in solar panel fires prompts tests and installation warnings.
Modernising heat networks with Heat interface unit
Why HIUs hold the key to efficiency upgrades.
Reflecting on the work of the CIOB Academy
Looking back on 2025 and where it's going next.
Procurement in construction: Knowledge hub
Brief, overview, key articles and over 1000 more covering procurement.
Sir John Betjeman’s love of Victorian church architecture.
Exchange for Change for UK deposit return scheme
The UK Deposit Management Organisation established to deliver Deposit Return Scheme unveils trading name.
A guide to integrating heat pumps
As the Future Homes Standard approaches Future Homes Hub publishes hints and tips for Architects and Architectural Technologists.
BSR as a standalone body; statements, key roles, context
Statements from key figures in key and changing roles.
Resident engagement as the key to successful retrofits
Retrofit is about people, not just buildings, from early starts to beyond handover.





















Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, or to suggest changes, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.