1. Context/Background: In this section, the national strategy and policy framework, as well as the sector or sub-sector, should be briefly described. Additionally, a basic summary of the project or scheme up for evaluation should be included.
2. Problems to be addressed: This part should describe the local, regional, and/or national problems that the project/scheme will attempt to solve. It is important to provide evidence for the existence, nature and scope of the issues, backed up by historical data, surveys, studies, etc.
3. Aims and Objectives: In this part, the proposed development objectives should be listed in order of importance. Each development objective's intended outputs/deliverables should be specified in detail.
4. Strategy: This part should analyze various alternative strategies that can be used to accomplish the development objectives. The justifications for choosing the proposed strategy should be stated. It's important to state the criteria used to rank the sites (wherever relevant). It is crucial to look for ways the government might save money by outsourcing or leveraging funds through public-private partnerships. A summary of current activities, how duplication can be avoided, and how the new plan or project will work in tandem with other initiatives should also be included in this part.
5. Target Beneficiaries: The targeted beneficiaries of the intervention should be clearly identified. When formulating a plan or project, a stakeholder analysis should be done, along with stakeholder consultation. Options for cost sharing and beneficiary participation must be researched and included in the project. Positive or negative effects of the initiative on the most vulnerable members of society should be evaluated, and any necessary corrective action should be advised.
6. Legal Framework: This part should outline the legal framework in which the scheme or project will be executed, as well as its advantages and disadvantages in relation to the achievement of the stated goals.
7. Environmental Impact: Wherever necessary, environmental impact assessments should be conducted, and steps should be taken to offset any negative impacts, if any. This part ought to cover issues with land acquisition, the diversion of forest land, wildlife clearances, rehabilitation, and resettlement.
8. Technology: This part should go into detail about any technology choices taken, if any, how those choices were evaluated, and why they were made for the proposed project.
9. Management: It is important to clarify each agency's responsibilities for project management or scheme implementation. Clear explanations of the organizational structure at different levels, the need for human resources, and the monitoring procedures are all necessary.
10. Finance: The cost estimates, project budget, funding options, and expenditure phasing should be the main topics of this section. It is important to look into cost recovery and cost sharing options (user fees). The cost and term of the debt may be used to evaluate infrastructure projects. This part should also cover problems pertaining to project sustainability, like stakeholder commitment, asset operation and maintenance following project completion, and other related challenges.
11. Timeframe: Where applicable, a PERT/CPM chart should be included in this section along with the planned zero date for commencement.
12. Cost Benefit Analysis: Wherever such returns are quantifiable, a financial and economic cost-benefit analysis of the project should be conducted. In case of Infrastructure projects, we should typically be able to do such analyses, but in case of public goods and social sector initiatives might not always be able to do so. Even in this instance, the project needs to be evaluated before the PIB and given some appropriate measurable objectives or deliverables.
13. Risk Analysis: The emphasis of this section should be on identifying, evaluating, and proposing ways to mitigate implementation risks. Legal/contractual risks, environmental hazards, financial risks, project management risks, regulatory risks, etc. could all be included in a risk analysis.
14. Outcomes: Measurable success criteria should be specified in order to determine whether the development objectives have been met. When the project is finished, baseline data should be available against which the project's success will be judged (impact assessment). Similarly, baseline surveys must be conducted for large, beneficiary-focused programmes. To evaluate progress against near-term objectives, success criteria for scheme deliverables/outcomes should also be established in quantitative terms.
15. Evaluation: Whether concurrent, mid-term, or post-project, evaluation mechanisms for the scheme/project should be clearly spelled out. It should be emphasized that continuation of schemes from one period to another will not be allowed without a third-party appraisal.

Last but not least, the document ought to start with a self-contained Executive Summary. If an EFC/PIB proposal simply includes a Concept Paper or Feasibility Report, it should include the key information outlined in the general framework above.