The State project model describes the requirements. The purpose of the model is to ensure that projects are of sufficient quality and all the necessary information is available when large government investments are decided. It is a goal to avoid unnecessary investments, and to follow up cost and benefits through both planning and execution of the projects, thus ensuring efficient use of limited resources.

The State project model and requirements that follow are described in Circular R-108 The State project model – Requirements for concept appraisal, planning and quality assurance of large government investment projects.

The Ministry of Finance maintains a framework agreement for quality assurance with constellations of companies that provides such services. The agreement is normally renewed through a public procurement process every four years.

The Ministry of Finance funds the Concept Research Programme. Concept gathers data about large public investment projects, do empirical analyses with the data, and continually develop relevant theories and methods. The main purpose of Concept is to contribute to the development of the State project model and develop knowledge about governing large public investments in general. This provides publicly available insight into the effect of the State project model.