Does either option still meet the cost target?
Compare each option with the current process and check the full cost.
The question
You advise a US county on renewals for a local service. It can spend up to USD 130,000. An option must also cost no more than USD 100 per additional completed renewal compared with the current process.
| Cost in USD | Completed renewals | |
|---|---|---|
| Current process | 80,000 | 800 |
| Simpler notice | 104,000 | 1160 |
| In-person support | 128,000 | 1200 |
Use the same outcome definition for every option. Counts are forecasts.
“Which option meets both limits and what would you check before recommending it?”
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A strong answer, step by step
Open each step in turn. This is one strong answer, not the only one.
Step 1: Compare with the current process
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Subtract the current cost and current count for each option.
The strong move. The decision uses added cost and added renewals from the current process.
Use all 1,160 forecast renewals as the benefit of the simpler notice.
Tempting, but it misses something. The current process already forecasts 800 completed renewals. The simpler notice adds 360.
See how a strong candidate says it
“The simpler notice adds USD 24,000 and 360 forecast renewals. In-person support adds USD 48,000 and 400. I’d confirm that costs and renewals cover the same period.”
Why it works: The decision uses added cost and added renewals from the current process.
Step 2: Check both limits
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Give a conditional recommendation for the simpler notice.
The strong move. The total budget and cost per additional renewal are separate limits.
Approve in-person support because it fits the total budget.
Tempting, but it misses something. At USD 120 per additional renewal it exceeds the unit cost limit.
See how a strong candidate says it
“The simpler notice costs USD 66.67 per additional renewal. In-person support costs USD 120. Both fit the total budget. The simpler notice meets the USD 100 limit at this stage.”
Why it works: The total budget and cost per additional renewal are separate limits.
Step 3: Add the missing cost
The programme owner finds USD 16,000 of required translation and phone support missing from the simpler-notice cost. Its forecast of completed renewals already assumes that support is in place.
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Update the cost estimate and keep the current process while options are reviewed.
The strong move. The forecast already assumes translation and phone support. Add their cost and keep the forecast count in this comparison.
Keep the first recommendation because USD 120,000 is within budget.
Tempting, but it misses something. The total fits the budget. The revised cost per additional renewal exceeds USD 100.
See how a strong candidate says it
“The simpler notice now costs USD 120,000 in total and USD 40,000 above the current process. At 360 additional renewals that is USD 111.11 each. Both options now exceed the unit limit.”
Why it works: The forecast already assumes translation and phone support. Add their cost and keep the forecast count in this comparison.
Step 4: State when to reconsider
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Give the sponsor a revised cost threshold and a revised renewal threshold.
The strong move. The two thresholds tell the sponsor which cost or outcome evidence could change the decision.
Drop translation and phone support and keep the full renewal forecast.
Tempting, but it misses something. The forecast already assumes those services. Removing them would require a new estimate of completed renewals.
See how a strong candidate says it
“With 360 additional renewals, the simpler notice can cost up to USD 36,000 above the current process. That requires USD 4,000 less without losing reach. At the revised cost it needs 400 additional renewals, 40 more than forecast.”
Why it works: The two thresholds tell the sponsor which cost or outcome evidence could change the decision.
The answer, in short
- Decision
- Keep the current process while the owner verifies a revised option.
- Because
- Both proposals exceed USD 100 per additional renewal after the full costs are included.
- What would change it
- The simpler notice would meet the limit with USD 4,000 less incremental cost at the same reach or 40 more renewals at the same cost.
Common traps
- Using total renewals in place of additional renewals.
- Leaving out the cost of support the forecast assumes.
Check your answer
- I used the current process as the baseline.
- I checked both spending limits.
- I added the missing cost.
- I gave the sponsor thresholds for a new decision.
Last reviewed Nov 11, 2026