`To have begun is half the job: be bold and be sensible.' HORACE, 65­8 BC Overview The goal of the Initial Investigation Stage is for you to examine the proposal, as quickly as possible, (say, within one to six weeks), and to evaluate it against the existing business plans of the company. You need to determine if what is intended is likely to be viable in financial, opera- tional, technical and customer terms. You will need to: G G make a preliminary assessment of the business opportunity, benefits, possible solutions, costs, technology needs and the likely impact on the operational platforms and groups, infrastructure and capabilities; check for overlap, synergy or conflict with other projects in progress or capabilities in use;