Feasibility studies for construction projects
Feasibility studies are preliminary studies undertaken in the very early stage of a project. They tend to be carried out when a project is large or complex, or where there is some doubt or controversy regarding the proposed development. If an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required, this may involve assessments best undertaken as part of feasibility studies.
The purpose of feasibility studies is to:
- Establish whether the project is viable.
- Help identify feasible options.
- Assist in the development of other project documentation such as the business case, project execution plan and strategic brief.
On large or complex projects, there may be a number of different feasibility studies carried out, sometimes requiring different skills, and considering issues such as:
- Planning permission.
- The likelihood that an environmental impact assessment will be required.
- Other legal/statutory approvals.
- Analysis of the budget relative to client requirements.
- Assessment of the potential to re-use existing facilities or doing nothing rather than building new facilities.
- Assessment of any site information provided by the client.
- Site appraisals, including geotechnical studies, assessment of any contamination, availability of services, uses of adjoining land, easements and restrictive covenants, environmental impact, and so on.
- Considering different solutions to accessing potential sites.
- Analysis of accommodation that might be included or excluded.
- Assessment of the possible juxtaposition of accommodation and preparing basic stacking diagrams.
- Assessing operational and maintenance issues.
- Appraisal of servicing strategies.
- Programme considerations.
- Procurement options.
Various stakeholders, statutory authorities and other third parties may need to be consulted in the preparation of feasibility studies.
The assessments carried out should be presented in a structured way so the client can decide whether or not to proceed to the next stage. Wherever possible, any information prepared or obtained should be in a format which can be readily shared and used, and should be stored and named in a way consistent with the long-term project and operational needs.
[edit] Related articles
- Briefing documents.
- Built to suit.
- Business case.
- Client requirements.
- Concept.
- Concept design.
- Constraints.
- Construction.
- Construction process.
- Design flexibility.
- Design process essentials.
- Desk study.
- Desktop study.
- Development appraisal.
- Environmental impact.
- Environmental Impact Assessment.
- Local needs analysis.
- Needs analysis.
- Options review report.
- Planning permission.
- Project programme.
- Schedule of accommodation.
- Site appraisals.
- Site information.
- Spatial diagram.
- Stacking diagram.
- Statutory approvals.
- Strategic brief.
[edit]
Featured articles and news
A sun, tide, mass or scratch dial.
A brief description of time in the sun.
ICE Trustee Board update June 2022
Given by ICE President Ed McCann.
Artificial intelligence and project management
Two new research reports published by APM.
Association for Project Management membership offer
50% off APM Associate membership for Designing Buildings users.
Building safety, a shifting landscape for professionals
A commentary from the insurance perspective.
In brief with further links.
Walter Segal: self-built architect
A definitive book on a pioneer of green architecture.
Funding for heritage on the high street
Using heritage as a catalyst for reviving historic centres.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting update.
Declaration prioritising sustainable urbanisation adopted.
A small hidden, often distant but key building component.
Some brief words about the actuator.
CIAT Chief Executive steps down.
After 34 years at the Institute.
Volunteer opportunity launched by the ICE
To support the next generation of engineers.
Provisional findings show illegal cartels in the industry.
CIAT reporting from the Competition and Markets Authority.
Making sustainable construction number one priority.
The future of construction report.
Interview with ECA CEO.
Many provisions came into force on June 28, 2022.
With room to expand.
An information packed session at the BSRIA conference.
Refurbishment, Energy Efficiency, Indoor air and process.
Create a profile, write informed product articles and share.
Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) is one example.
We are indeed now 10 years old, so go on and be bold !
Write about something you know, help us build and grow !
Comments