Beslutningsgrundlaget

Beslutningsgrundlaget, or the decision basis, is a document used in Swedish public administration to justify and support a proposed decision. It gathers the information, analyses, and rationale that underlie a decision and is intended to help elected representatives and other decision-makers understand the problem, compare options, and assess potential effects before a vote or ruling is made.

A decision basis typically includes several elements. These are the problem description, the policy objectives, and the options or alternatives considered. It also contains an analysis of consequences across economic, social, and environmental dimensions, as well as an assessment of costs and benefits, risks and uncertainties, and any legal, regulatory, or ethical considerations. Input from stakeholders and consultations, data sources, assumptions and methods, implementation plans and timelines, and monitoring and evaluation criteria are usually part of the document. The decision itself and the justification for choosing a particular course of action are stated clearly, often with references and appendices.

The document is usually prepared by the administration or expert units and then reviewed by relevant committees or management before it is presented to the appropriate council, committee, or board for decision. It supports transparency and accountability and is often subject to rules governing public access to official information. While the exact structure varies between agencies and jurisdictions, the overarching aim is to provide a clear, documented basis for decisions and to enable informed deliberation and scrutiny. In practice, the term is sometimes used interchangeably with beslutsunderlag.