What's Important and When
Like Buying a Car
This section discusses the key categories for successful GSA project development and
delivery. It highlights the comparative roles of facility management operations (the pre-
The project development
process can be like buying
planning phase), the Feasibility Study, and the Program Development Study (PDS)
a car.
in addressing each category. Refer to "Appendix C: Feasibility Study Checklist" and
First (in the Feasibility Study
"Appendix D: PDS Checklist" for further comparisons.
phase), you consider
The Pre-Planning phase represents the day-to-day facilities management and client
alternative modes of trans-
portation, vehicle types,
services that lay the groundwork for project development. Knowledge gained and
ownership options, and
working relationships developed during this stage play a key role in the ultimate success
expenses. You may
of the Feasibility Study and the PDS.
conclude that the best
way to meet your family's
The Feasibility Study evaluates the customer's goals and needs, the facility's require-
needs is with a small
ments, and options to meet those needs, as well as their impact on GSA's inventory and
wagon that can tow a trailer.
business goals. Alternative scenarios are developed, evaluated, and refined to select a
Next (in the PDS phase), you
recommended direction. Don't be tempted to give the Feasibility Study less consider-
explore various makes and
ation than the PDS. The Feasibility Study process has the greatest impact on a project's
models, options packages,
financing options, and
success because it defines the project's basic parameters. It defines what the project will be.
dealers. You decide to lease
The Feasibility Study must identify and address all of the project's fundamental issues.
a wagon from a specific
dealer and waive the rust-
Delaying the consideration of any key issues until the PDS phase is far too late. Put
proofing option, but choose
plainly, once the Feasibility Study is complete, the project team has already committed
the manual transmission.
to the "small wagon with the trailer" (see "Like Buying a Car" sidebar). The Feasibility
The success of both phases
Study focuses on the scope and basic parameters of the project. The PDS looks at
depends on the pre-
the same topics, but at a more detailed level of analysis.
planning phase, knowing
your family's future needs.
The PDS begins with the recommendation of the Feasibility Study; determines
Of course, GSA's Feasibility
whether it is still the best course of action; and then develops the detailed
Study and PDS approaches
implementation strategy, cost estimates, and design directives. These studies support
entail very different
the Construction Prospectus.
options and issues. But as
the car analogy suggests,
The comparison of the Pre-Planning, Feasibility Study, and PDS phases is organized
each has a fundamental
influence on the final
into five categories; each has key comparison points:
product's affordability,
1.
Customer Considerations
reliability, and suitability for
the task at hand.
2.
Physical Plant and Structure
3.
Legacy Activities
4.
Project Implementation
5.
Capital Program Support
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