Feasibility Study Guide
Feasibility Study Guide
Disclaimer
July 2007
ISBN: 0-9752115-3-6
This guide is produced by:
Department of Sport and Recreation
246 Vincent Street, Leederville, Western Australia 6007
PO Box 329, LEEDERVILLE WA 6903
Telephone 9492 9700
Facsimile 9492 9711
www.dsr.wa.gov.au
Contents
1.0 Introduction
Assessment of Need
4.0 Preparation
Methodology
Community Involvement
Organisational Philosophy
Market Analysis
10
Concept Design
12
Location Rationale
12
Design/Technical Evaluation
13
Capital Costs
13
Financials
14
Staging Alternatives
15
Sustainability
15
16
Recommendation
16
17
7.0 Conclusion
19
20
9.0 References
21
1.0 Introduction
The second phase in the facility planning process
is the Feasibility Study. The purpose of a feasibility
study is to examine the viability of a proposal so that
any decision can be informed by objective analysis.
Your decision may be to implement, amend, refine or
abandon the proposal. It should thoroughly test the
practicability of:
Management options
Facility components
Location options
Cost
Figure 1
Phase
One
Development Proposal
Abandon Proposal
DECISION
PROPOSAL
Market Analysis
Phase
Two
Concept Plan
Financial Viability
Risk Assessment
DECISION
Management Plan
Design Brief
Phase
Three
DESIGN
Design Team
Schematic Design
Design Development
Contract Documentation
PROJECT
Phase
Four
CONSTRUCTION
Phase
Five
EVALUATION
Facility Operational
Project Evaluation
FEASIBILITY STUDY
FACILITY PLANNERS
IMPACT
ON
COSTS
DESIGN CONSULTANTS
CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACTORS
OPERATIONAL FACILITY PERSONNEL
TIME
LIFE CYCLE
ASSESSMENT OF NEED
It is essential that a needs assessment be undertaken
before embarking on a feasibility study. In short,
this involves identifying any lack or over supply of
existing facilities and services. The aim of a needs
assessment is to justify provision. It is only when the
needs assessment is completed that a feasibility study
is undertaken to assess the viability of any proposed
facility development.
For information on undertaking a needs assessment
please consult the resource Needs Assessment Guide
and Decision Making Guide: Sport and recreation
facilities4.
4.0 Preparation
ESTABLISHING A
COORDINATING COMMITTEE
business/financial management
facility management
community development.
project management
town planning
building design
recreation planning
TERMS OF REFERENCE
EXAMPLES
1. To investigate and report on the social and financial
viability of the proposed facility
2. To identify a site/s that will maximise access
to the facility
3. To investigate management options and
recommend an appropriate facility
management model
4. To investigate and report on any special facility
needs that should be incorporated into the design
(e.g. disabled access)
5. To analyse planning, construction and management
costs of alternative sites, designs and management
structures and recommend the best
long-term option
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
In undertaking a feasibility study, community
involvement will generally strengthen community
ownership and the validity of the findings.
Broad community consultation may identify
opportunities to share resources, extend an
existing service, enter into a partnership or colocate complementary services. Where appropriate,
a co-operative approach can achieve maximum
effectiveness and efficiency.
The coordinating committee should decide how much
input the community will have into the feasibility study.
They should also consider engaging a skilled facilitator
to assist with coordinating the consultation process.
METHODOLOGY
The coordinating committee should decide what
investigative methods will be used in undertaking
the feasibility study. There are a number of different
methods used to identify and gather relevant
information. Choose the most appropriate methods for
your proposal. Some commonly used methods are:
Literature search
Community surveys
Concept Planning
Market
Analysis
Feasibility Analysis
Review
Background
Information
Organisational
Philosophy
Justification
of the
Proposed
Facility
(Needs
Assessment)
Concept
Plan
Location
Rationale
Design/Technical
Evaluation
Draft
Management
Plan
Recommendations
Re-visit
Needs
Assessment
Sustainability
Staging
Alternatives
Financials
REVIEW BACKGROUND
INFORMATION
It is important that any relevant background information
such as existing reports, studies and plans be
identified and reviewed. This background information
may include:
ORGANISATIONAL
PHILOSOPHY
It is crucial that the organisational philosophy and
values are determined at the outset of the study
process. Your organisational philosophy should define
the social, financial and environmental outcomes that
could be expected from the facility. It should clarify
your position regarding the following policy issues:
MARKET ANALYSIS
It is important to assess the socio-demographic
characteristics of your community, participation
trends, and the strengths and weaknesses of potential
competitors and partners. It is useful to develop a
spatial locality map to illustrate the results of your
market analysis.
Socio-demographic characteristics
Socio-demographic characteristics can be identified
through statistics obtainable from the Australian
Bureau of Statistics (www.abs.gov.au) and local
government authorities. Other useful sources can
be obtained from the Department of Education
and Training, Department of Social Security and
population size
age distribution
gender distribution
place of residence
level of education
income distribution
employment statistics
mobility
cultural origins
socio-economic status.
Competition
It is important to analyse potential competitors and
their customers. Assess both direct and indirect/public
and private competitors. The analysis should answer
the following:
Examine Options
Examine the different ways of satisfying the basic
sport and recreation requirements of the community.
The provision of a new facility may be only one of a
number of possible solutions.
Consider the following options and select the most
reasonable one for further investigation:
JUSTIFICATION OF THE
PROPOSED FACILITY
10
Climatic conditions
Describe:
Staff requirements
Staffing costs comprise the largest operating expense
in many sport and recreation facilities. Excessive
staffing will significantly increase your operating costs
while inadequate staffing may result in loss of potential
business, under-utilised facilities, staff stress/ turnover
or non-compliance with legislation.
Target group/s
11
Marketing Strategy
CONCEPT PLAN
In order to develop a preliminary concept of the
proposed facility, first identify the various facility
components, i.e. the different spaces/functional areas
needed within the main structure.
LOCATION RATIONALE
Joint Use and Co-location
Consider whether existing facilities could be extended
or upgraded for use on a shared basis. If this is not
possible and a new facility is required, you should plan
in consultation with other facility providers to ensure
minimum duplication and maximum use of resources.
Consider the possibility of co-locating the proposed
facility with other community or commercial facilities. If
properly integrated, this approach can work to create a
hub within your community, centralising facilities in a
village concept. Co-location with other major providers
will maximise service and social outcomes and provide
opportunities to reduce capital and operating costs.
Discuss your proposal with the Department of
Education and Training, local agencies and
groups, commercial organisations, neighbouring
12
13
Visual exposure
Environmental considerations
Meteorological conditions
Site specifications
Grading
Topography
Vegetation
DESIGN/TECHNICAL
EVALUATION
Technical Aspects
It is important to test the practicability of the technical
aspects of the concept design. This will ensure that
energy use/consumption, maintenance of all technical
systems and utilities (i.e. lighting, airconditioning,
heating, sanitation and filtration systems for swimming
pools, reticulation, water pumps and bores) and
ongoing operational costs are investigated and that the
most practical and cost effective options are selected
based on Life Cycle Costing guidelines3.
When undertaking this exercise, engage the expertise
of an engineer to provide professional assistance and
discuss the proposal with industry peak bodies.
Refer to existing facilities for relevant performance
and maintenance records. This process will ensure
that you are aware of the financial, management and
maintenance implications of the technical design
aspects of the proposed facility.
Note: A comprehensive energy audit should not be
undertaken until the project enters the design phase.
For further information refer to the Department of Sport
and Recreation publications Life Cycle Cost Guidelines
and Asset Management Guide.
CAPITAL COSTS
FINANCIALS
Capital Costs
Site preparation
Contingency.
Operating Income
Operating income should be estimated based on
usage estimates (refer page 10) and anticipated
enrolments in programs (refer page 11).
To estimate operating income, include revenue from:
Program fees
Membership fees
Equipment rental
Sponsorship
Debt funding
Fund-raising activities
Bequests
Sponsorship
Operating Expenditure
Operating expenses should be broken down into fixed
costs and variable costs.
Fixed costs: Incurred whether the facility is being
used or not, (i.e. permanent operational staff,
insurance, taxes, interest and depreciation).
Variable costs: Expenses that are incurred when the
facility is being used, ie utilities, program staff, fuel and
supplies.
Financial projections should be made for a five to 20
year period (five years for small and medium size
projects and 20 years for larger projects). To estimate
operating expenditure, include costs relating to:
14
Administration
Financial Forecasts
Financial forecasts are required to determine whether
the proposed facility will be financially viable. For small
and medium size projects financial statements for the
first five years of operation are required. For large
scale projects additional financial statements for years
four to 20 are required (see Appendix B).
Prepare the following financial forecasts. Where
necessary, engage the expertise of a financial/legal
advisor for professional assistance.
Profit and Loss and Cash Flow Statements Prepare monthly statements for year 1, quarterly for
years 2 and 3, and annually thereafter (see Appendix
C and D).
Sensitivity Analysis - Prepare annual statements for
years 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Break Even Analysis. Prepare annual statements for
years 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
15
Sensitivity Analysis
A Sensitivity or What if analysis is used to
identify financial risks.
STAGING ALTERNATIVES
It is cheaper to construct a facility in one stage.
However, if the capital and/or operating costs of the
proposed facility are beyond the means of your funding
sources, consider reducing the scale of the proposal,
or staging construction.
By staging the development, priority services can be
established first and their performance monitored
before committing additional funds. Additional services
and facilities can be provided when funds become
available. Staging is also a viable option when not all
desires/needs have demand at the same time.
Consider developing the proposed facility in stages
and assess the cost/ benefit implications of this
approach. State whether staging the development is
an appropriate option and why.
NOTE: DSR grant applications should identify priority
elements.
SUSTAINABILITY
Social
Economic cycles
Social trends
RECOMMENDATIONS
The information that has been gathered and assessed
should be summarised to enable an objective decision
regarding the proposal.
The summary should include the following
components:
Recommend to implement/amend/postpone/stage/
abandon the proposal.
16
Practical hints
Executive summary
Organisational philosophy
Market analysis
Concept design
Location rationale
Design/technical evaluation
Capital costs
Financials
Staging Alternatives
Sustainability
Recommendations
Executive summary
The executive summary is usually found at the
beginning of the report or may be presented as a
separate document. It should be able to stand alone
from the rest of the report. The executive summary
should include:
Acknowledgements.
Appendices
Include any survey results, interview results, site visit
reports, minutes of public meetings, technical reports,
professional advice and/or other research, which is
referred to, or support claims made within the study.
17
The recommendations
Are the recommendations supported by the
findings of the study?
18
7.0 Conclusion
The feasibility study should provide all the information
required to make a decision to support or reject a
proposal to develop a sport or recreation facility. This
decision will have long-term ramifications for the
community and, therefore, it is important that the study
is comprehensive and objective.
The feasibility study is a means to an end. That end is
the involvement of the community in determining how
and when collectively owned funds are going to be
spent to provide opportunities for sport and recreation
experiences.
Through undertaking a feasibility study the chances of
developing an unsuccessful facility are minimised, and
the potential for efficiency is increased.
A good feasibility study is the clients best
insurance against a poor investment!
19
20
9.0 References
1. Ballesty, S., Orlovic, M. (2004). Life cycle costing and facility management. Facility Management 12 (2) p.32.
2. The Local Government Act [Amendment] 1995 (WA)
3. Department of Sport and Recreation. (2005). Life cycle cost guidelines: sport and recreation facilities. Perth, Western
Australia: Western Australian Government.
21
APPENDIX A
CURRENT TRENDS AND ISSUES IN SPORT AND RECREATION
Some of the major trends and issues affecting the development of sport and recreation within Western Australia include:
22
APPENDIX B
FEASIBILITY STUDY CONTENT AND RESEARCH REQUIREMENT GUIDELINES FOR DIFFERENT
SCALE PROJECTS
SMALL
Review
Background
information
MEDIUM
PROJECTS
PROJECTS
PROJECTS
(UP TO $150,000)
($150,000 - $500,000)
($500,000 - $10,000,000)
Development plan
organisational
Organisational policies
and plans
Needs assessment
Strategic recreation
plan regional and
organisational
Corporate policies and
plans
Sport and recreation needs
assessment
Facility specific needs
assessment
Organisational
Philosophy
Desired outcomes
Desired outcomes
Desired outcomes
Competition analysis
Socio-demographic data
Socio-demographic data
Community consultation
Competition analysis
Competition analysis
Demongraphic data
Community consultation
Community consultation
Justification of
the proposed
facility
Review need
identification process/
needs assessment
Draft
Usage estimates
Management structure
Management structure
Management
Usage estimates
Usage estimates
Staffing
Staffing
Staffing
Marketing strategy
Marketing strategy
Maintenance
Maintenance
Market Analysis
Plan
23
LARGE
Concept Design
Location
Rationale
Design/ Technical
Practicability
SMALL
MEDIUM
LARGE
PROJECTS
PROJECTS
PROJECTS
(UP TO $150,000)
($150,000 - $500,000)
($500,000 - $10,000,000)
Core elements
Core elements
Core elements
Management needs
Management needs
Management needs
Functional requirements
Functional requirements
Functional requirements
Plan / layout
Finishes
Finishes
Finishes
Sustainable elements
Sustainable elements
Environmental
Environmental
Environmental
Accessibility
Demographic
Accessibility
Accessibility
Demographic
Demographic
Transport
Transport
Evaluation of technical
design options
Evaluation of technical
design options
Capital Costs
Operating Income
and Expenditure
Evaluation of technical
design options
Life-cycle analysis
Life-cycle analysis
Financial forecasts
1 to 3 years
Financial forecasts
5 years
Financial forecasts
20 years
Breakeven analysis
Breakeven analysis
Sensitivity analysis
Sensitivity analysis
Life-cycle analysis
Staging Alternatives
N/a
Staging options
Staging options
24
Economic,
SMALL
MEDIUM
LARGE
PROJECTS
PROJECTS
PROJECTS
(UP TO $150,000)
($150,000 - $500,000)
($500,000 - $10,000,000)
Environmental and
Economic forecast
external
Economic forecast
external/internal
Economic forecast
external/external
Social Viability
Risk assessment
Risk assessment
Risk assessment
Social/cultural impact
Social/cultural impact
Social/cultural impact
Environmental impact
Re-visit Needs
Assessment
Proposal addresses
identified needs
Proposal addresses
identified needs
Proposal addresses
identified needs
Recommendations
Option selection
Option selection
Option selection
Recommendations
Recommendations
Recommendations
Refer to DSRs Decision Making Guide Sustainability Matrix Asessment Guidelines for further assistance.
25
APPENDIX C
SAMPLE PROJECTED PROFIT AND LOSS PRO FORMA
1st Qtr
2nd Qtr
3rd Qtr
4th Qtr
Ongoing
INCOME
Program Fees
Room Hire
Kiosk / Bar sales
Proshop Sales
Vending Machine Sales
Pay Phone
Fundraising
Sponsorship
Donations
Grants
Other
Total Income/Gross Profit [A]
EXPENSES
Employees wages
Equipment
Advertising
Stationery/Office Supplies
Printing and Postage
Telephone/fax
Power
Kiosk/bar stock
Proshop stock
Vending machine stock
Freight
Building maintenance
Vehicle
Security
Insurance
Loan/lease repayments
Other
Total Expenses
Net profit/loss
[B]
[A-B]
Depreciation
Net profit/loss after depreciation
26
APPENDIX E
GLOSSARY OF PLANNING TERMS
27
TERM
DEFINITION
Capital Costs
Client
Co-Location
Community Consultation
Concept Design
Concept Plan
Contract Documentation
Design Brief
Design Development
Facility Components
TERM
DEFINITION
Feasibility Analysis
Feasibility Study
Location Rationale
Management Plan
Market Analysis
28
29
TERM
DEFINITION
Needs Assessment
Organisational Philosophy
Risk Assessment
Social Viability
Schematic Design
Stakeholders
Strategic Planning
Technical Systems
Terms of Reference
Notes
30
PERTH
GREAT SOUTHERN
PILBARA
WHEATBELT
22 Collie Street
ALBANY WA 6330
Telephone 9892 0100
Facsimile 9892 0199
[email protected]
1 Welcome Road
PO Box 941
KARRATHA WA 6714
Telephone 9182 2100
Facsimile 9182 2199
[email protected]
NORTHAM
McIver House
297 Fitzgerald Street
PO Box 55
NORTHAM WA 6401
Telephone 9690 2400
Facsimile 9690 2499
[email protected]
KIMBERLEY
PEEL
4 Francis Street
PO Box 140
CARNARVON WA 6701
Telephone 9941 0900
Facsimile 9941 0999
[email protected]
Government Offices
Cnr Konkerberry Drive and
Messmate Way
PO Box 1127
KUNUNURRA WA 6743
Telephone 9166 4900
Facsimile 9166 4999
[email protected]
GOLDFIELDS
MID WEST
SOUTH WEST
GASCOYNE
NARROGIN
John Higgins Centre
Clayton Road
PO Box 54
NARROGIN WA 6312
Telephone 9890 0400
Facsimile 9890 0499
[email protected]