Budget planning in government follows recurring cycles that determine when and how teams can request funding. Each cycle has specific requirements that affect project success.

Key planning elements include:

• Request windows: Specific periods when teams can apply for new funding, usually several months before the next fiscal year begins.
• Priority setting: The process departments use to rank funding needs, which influences what gets approved.
• Business cases: Required documentation that justifies funding requests by outlining expected benefits, costs, and risks.
• Cost categories: Types of expenses to plan for, such as operational costs or project-specific investments.

Missing a planning cycle might mean waiting months for the next opportunity. Early preparation helps secure necessary resources when they're actually needed.