The previous step in the SAP development process focussed on selecting ideas, opportunities or solutions that best meet the needs and realities of the region, the outcome of which was an elaborated table of specific options or alternatives that would provide the basis for more detailed in-country studies and discussions on options or alternatives.

These were purposely described as options or alternatives and not decisions - all countries involved in the process are at liberty to propose additional solutions or to discount those coming from the SAP development teams.

This step involves each country reviewing the outputs of the strategic thinking process - in particular the vision, goals and suggested options/alternatives - and conducting a thorough evaluation of the feasibility of the alternatives from a national perspective. In particular, the countries should examine how feasible the options/alternatives are from an economic, political and social perspective.