Esiselvittävä

Esiselvittävä is a Finnish term that translates roughly to "preliminary investigation" or "scoping study" in English. It refers to a crucial early phase in project management or decision-making processes. The primary goal of an esiselvittävä is to gather enough information to determine the feasibility and potential impact of a proposed project, initiative, or decision. This involves exploring various aspects, such as technical possibilities, economic viability, resource availability, and potential risks.

During an esiselvittävä, stakeholders typically identify key objectives, define the scope of the project, and outline potential solutions or approaches. It often includes conducting market research, analyzing existing data, consulting with experts, and assessing stakeholder needs. The outcome of an esiselvittävä is usually a report or a set of recommendations that informs whether the project should proceed, how it should be structured, and what resources would be required.

This phase helps prevent costly mistakes by ensuring that decisions are based on a solid understanding of the situation before significant investments of time and money are made. In essence, an esiselvittävä acts as a critical risk mitigation step, allowing for early identification of potential challenges and the development of strategies to address them. It lays the groundwork for more detailed planning and execution.