A needs assessment is the vital first step in the planning process for a facility. This guide will assist facility planners in determining whether a proposed facility is needed by the community.
Download this document
A needs assessment is a comprehensive information gathering process to identify and analyse whether a new facility is required or whether the need can be satisfied in some other way. If it is determined that a new facility is required, the needs assessment will provide clear direction with regard to the most appropriate scope, scale, component parts and the timing of the proposed facility. Such a concept can then be tested in a feasibility study which is the second stage in the facility planning process.
A needs assessment study will essentially be undertaken to determine:
- the potential need for a project which has been proposed or is being discussed within the community;
- to assess the sport and recreation needs of a community within a particular area. The size of the area being studied may be a single suburb, a local authority or a region comprising several local authorities.
Where would you like to go next?
This guide contains a series or practical tools to assist with the development of an Asset Management Plan for a facility.
The need for community consultation within sport and recreation facility planning has been widely documented in a number of publications.
This guide will assist facility planners in determining the need for, and feasibility of community sport and recreation services. The model in this guide can also be structured to apply to program based solutions.
Before appointing a design consultant, it is important to prepare a comprehensive project design brief. This will reflect the needs and aspirations of potential users and management and helps prospective design consultants to prepare submissions.
This guide provides an overview of the facility planning process for a specific sport or recreation facility.
This guide provides practical assistance in undertaking a feasibility study for a proposed sport and recreation facility.
The Western Australian Planning system coordinates land
use and development by balancing a number of potentially
competing issues relating to the economy, social and
environmental matters.
Focus papers are a DSR initiative to improve the planning, design and management of sport and recreation facilities.
The guidelines mean analysis and reporting can be standardised to ensure a timely and accurate technical review of your facility or project.
The information in this guide will assist facility managers to prepare a management plan for a sport and recreation facility. A management plan will ensure managers achieve efficient management practices for a successful facility.
The preparation of a project design brief should occur once the need for the facility has been identified, and a feasibility study has been undertaken to ascertain the suitability and viability of the proposal. When the decision has been made to proceed with the development, a management plan and design brief should be prepared.