Because private investors shoulder upfront costs -- as well as the considerable risk that their investment might fail -- they have strong incentives to make sure projects are completed on time and on budget.

CNN: Road tax alternative: Pay for each mile you drive

Mr Holtham added: "It's very important therefore to be careful in negotiations and also to make sure that the projects you're spending it on are really worthwhile for the economy because you will be paying for them".

BBC: Wales

The city had to cut public services, shed jobs, freeze pay, abandon capital projects and raise taxes to make sure it could pay back the federal loans.

ECONOMIST: Economics focus

Make sure you know all about the facility, what it has done and projects it is working on.

BBC: Making it big in the movies

We'll make sure this is fully paid for, attract private investment, and pick projects based on what's best for the economy, not politicians.

CNN: Transcript: Obama's State of the Union speech

Under the so-called Family Intervention Projects, they will be given intensive 24-hour supervision to make sure children attend school, go to bed on time and eat proper meals.

FORBES: Could cameras make for better parents?

Make sure that the books and materials closest at hand are the ones you need for your current projects.

FORBES: Ten Lessons for Idea Hunters

"We must make sure that in all these cases the management is put in place to ensure the continued effectiveness of these conservation projects, " he told BBC News Online.

BBC: UK 'failing to protect wildlife'