“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra

Most organizations see great value in planning for the future. Time is often spent on developing both long-term strategic plans as well as yearly actionable business plans. If you are an organization that owns your own facility, one piece that is often missing from the planning process is taking the time to understand how the facility supports your current needs or how it will address your changing needs as you look toward the future.

Two of my favorite tools we use to support our Owners are Facility Assessments and Master Planning Processes. Taking the time to review and understand the current state of your facility can save you from making costly mistakes for the future.

What is a Facility Assessment?

A facility assessment looks at the existing conditions of your building: site, building envelope, interiors, mechanical systems, etc. It identifies any code or accessibility issues as well as areas needing updating or repairs. It then assigns a cost to fix the deficiency and allows you to update the assessment as improvements are made.

The benefits of a Facility Assessment:

• Comprehensive understanding of current building, site, and system conditions
• Detailed maintenance plan with anticipated costs and estimated life expectancy i.e. replacing an aging roof or mechanical system
• Awareness of any code violations that could affect the health, safety, and welfare of the people using your facility

What is a Master Plan?

A Master Plan will look at how your facility supports your organization’s mission and goals. It identifies how the space currently addresses your needs and how to accommodate new growth initiatives. If necessary, it will outline what renovations or additions should be made, along with the associated costs and schedule.

The benefits of a Master Plan:

• Compares your current program offerings and space allocation to future plans identifying what growth is needed to support new initiatives
• Outline a plan for future needs and growth
• Includes an opinion of probable construction cost to allow your organization to outline your funding needs

Some building improvement items can be costly. Getting these in your budget early helps with planning and funding so you do not get caught by surprise with high ticket items. Not to mention the additional cost of redoing work if it has already been built. For example, placing new mechanical equipment right where the new addition wants to go.

When organizations use these tools it not only helps plan for the future, but allows others to clearly understand where you are going. Utilizing a Facility Assessment and Master Plan outlines the plans and financial impact that you can share with donors, grantors, and the community. Giving you the tools to bring others along as you move to align your facility with your goals and strategic plan.

Reach out to us and see how we can help you plan for your future.