Feasibility studies for a design project

Transcription

1 Feasibility studies for a design project Undertaking a building or landscape project can be a very exciting and challenging venture for an organisation, but at the same time it can be quite daunting. Putting together a proposal should be looked at as a process, which is worked through methodically over a reasonable period of time. To achieve this we suggest that you carry out three pieces of work. a. Carry out a feasibility study b. Develop a project business plan c. Appoint consultants to create your design & get costs This guide gives an indication of what could be involved in carrying out a feasibility study. All the information gathered from this study can then be presented in a report. If the study indicates that the project is feasible then the design brief developed, can be presented to an architect/landscape architect to create designs and obtain costs. If a business plan is needed it should be done when you feel that the project is feasible. This and other information from the study can form the basis of funding applications. Not all questions listed here will apply to every project. The level of work that needs to be done depends mainly on the size of the project and the amount of funds that need to be obtained. 1: THE PROJECT What problems are you trying to find solutions to? What services are needed and why? What facilities are needed and why? What area is covered by the project? Are you working with any other organisations/partners? Are you working to a deadline? Reg. Charity No Company Limited by Guarantee Reg. in England No

2 2: JUSTIFICATION Do you have any relevant local information - levels of unemployment, population profiles, etc? Do you have access to existing research? Does your project plans fit in with Council policy Regeneration agency strategies, Local Strategic Partnership etc What are the outcomes of this project? What are the targets and services and who will benefit? Do you have local support from - MP s, councillors, etc? 3: THE ORGANISATION Have you got information about your organisation s history, aims and structure? Have you got an up-to-date constitution and governing documents? Do your current plans fit into it? Do you have or need to apply for charitable status? Do you have up-to-date accounts? Have you the financial skills and monitoring systems to cope with a grant? Do you have evidence and a track record to suggest that the project will succeed? Planning Is the organisation well managed and staffed appropriately? Does the organisation have methods of planning and organising activities? Do you have time to dedicate to this project? People Do staff, volunteers and users have a way of contributing to how your organisation is run? Are activities open to everyone who may benefit from them? Do you have an active commitment to equal opportunities? 4: DEMAND & NEED FOR THE PROJECT How do you know there is a need for your project? Consultation Have you consulted members, local people, user groups, the local authority, support agencies (like the local CVS) etc. on your ideas? Consultation can be done in a number of ways: Interviews, questionnaires, meetings etc. Reg. Charity No Company Limited by Guarantee Reg. in England No

3 You should also: Keep a record of requests to use your facility from people who currently do not. Talk to people running other local facilities or organisations to get ideas and gain from their experience. Find out what other services & facilities exist and make sure you are not duplicating work. 5: THE BUILDING & SITE Building/Land Is a building or adapting a building the best option for the people/organisation s you work with? Have you considered other buildings/sites? Can you show why they were unsuitable? Will the building/site or adaptations meet your needs, is it suitable for the proposed use and any future developments? Have you talked to your Local Authority s Planning Department to see whether they foresee any likely objections? Do you have any plans? Do you have photos of the proposed building/site? Do you want a green building or a site designed along ecological principles? Does the building/site have any special conditions - listing etc? Do you have copies of any building or site surveys that have been done? What other types of surveys might be needed? Accessibility Is the chosen building/site accessible to people with disabilities and accessible by foot and public transport? Is it safe for users at all times? Is there adequate space for car-parking? To Lease or Own? To lease the building land Have you checked the conditions of the lease? Is the lease long enough for funders requirements? To own the building/land Have you talked to the current owners? Do you know the history of the site/building? Reg. Charity No Company Limited by Guarantee Reg. in England No

4 6. SPACE PLANNING Have you looked at the function and location of each part of building/site? Do you have a clear and agreed design brief that considers all internal and external space needs? 7. MANAGEMENT Are your proposals properly planned, organised and staffed? Do you have capacity and skills to manage the facility as well as delivering services? How will you monitor the progress of your project and evaluate its impact? Have you considered maintenance and/or repair issues? Do you intend to employ people as a result of the project? Do you have a business plan? Can you write one yourselves or do you need support? 8. FUNDING Have you researched all the potential funding sources? Have you read funders guidelines and criteria. Capital Have you considered all the costs building purchase and construction costs, professional fees, legal fees, inflation, VAT, removals, start ups. Can the project be phased? Revenue Have you considered the extra costs that a building project may bring - salaries, training, running and maintenance? Have you considered revenue income from users or grants? Budget Have you put together a budget including all income and expenditure for the length of the project? Reg. Charity No Company Limited by Guarantee Reg. in England No

5 Production of the Feasibility Study Report The information collected from the feasibility study will need to be put together in a presentable form and include the following: Introduction This should include: The aims of the feasibility study A summary of main points to be covered in the report Results from the feasibility study Explain the work and results from each part of the study. Include sections on; The Project, Background, The Organisation, Justification, Demand & Need for the Project, Proposed activities, The Building & Site options, Space Needs, Indication of Costs, Management and legal issues, Funding. Conclusion Is the project feasible - assess findings and detail the main recommendations and options. Risk assessment and contingency plans (if grants run out, facility underused etc.) Action plan Giving details of your: Time scales for fundraising, obtaining designs and costs and employment 1st and future phases of the project Marketing plan The next steps - designs, costs, business plan, fundraising Appendix Relevant background information and details to support all aspects of the project. The production of this report will involve the writing (or editing) of the information collected plus the designing and printing of the report. Cost of feasibility studies Consultants can charge anywhere between 3, ,000 to carry out a simple feasibility study. You may also need advice from an architect and or landscape architect. If the group is able to undertake most of the work that needs doing, then the cost of the study will be reduced. Reg. Charity No Company Limited by Guarantee Reg. in England No

6 Business Plan You may need to complete a project business plan. Your group may be able to get free support from business support agencies in your borough or you may need to appoint a consultant. They may charge in the region of 3,000 7,000 for this work. Design and costs The process of developing a feasibility study and business plan should provide your group with a clear and agreed design brief. This can be presented to architects and/or landscape architects to design the facility. If your brief is unclear or changes once an architect is appointed it can result in timely and costly redesigns. Costs for this work would vary depending on the size and details of the project and funders requirements. Any charges should be discussed with the group in advance. Other professionals involved are likely to charge additional costs. You should consider the following: Professional assistance Have you considered all consultants that may need to be involved - Architect, Landscape Architect, Quantity Surveyor, Structural Engineer etc. What detailed site or building investigations are needed? Are there services, such as water, electricity to the site? Have relevant statutory agencies been approached? Can you obtain building and running costs? Consultation Have you consulted the public, user groups or future users on the design of the building/site? All this may seem like a lot of work. However, depending on the size and complexity of your project you may not need to carry out much of the work above or other issues might need to be considered. Reg. Charity No Company Limited by Guarantee Reg. in England No