Introduction


This Project Planning Guide has been developed to assist all of those who 

develop GSA’s Capital Program in evaluating, developing, and implementing federal 

facilities projects. 

About This Guide 

For GSA staff about to embark on a Feasibility Study or Program Development Study 

(PDS), this Guide outlines the project delivery process and keys to success. For other 

participants in a Feasibility Study or PDS effort, this Guide provides information on 

how you can support the process, as a team member, expert resource, or intended user 

of the final product. 

This Guide is divided into five main chapters and several appendices. 

•	 Overview of GSA’s Capital Program outlines GSA’s basic Capital Program 

development planning process and the fundamental roles of the Feasibility Study 

and the Program Development Study. The section includes summary sheets of each 

study and an overall project activity timeline. 

•	 What’s Important and When discusses GSA’s primary business and program goals 

as presented in the Feasibility Study and PDS. 

•	 Pre-Planning Phase describes the role that GSA’s daily management of facility 

requirements, customer needs, and portfolio planning play in the project 

development process. GSA professionals know that projects seldom have a cold 

start. They germinate slowly over time as requirements accumulate. Managing 

this process is important to project scoping and planning. 

•	 Feasibility Study Phase outlines the process for beginning, conducting, and 

completing a Feasibility Study, a process that ends with the submission of the 

Prospectus package for site and design funding. This section describes the process, 

deliverables, and keys to success to develop a sound project and site/design 

funding request. It explains that the Feasibility Study is the core of this process, 

but not the only ingredient needed for success. 
The Feasibility Study 

plays the most important 

role in shaping the final 

delivered project. It 

evaluates alternatives; 

forms the breadth and 

scope of the project 

and budget; and sets 

expectations for the team, 

the customer agency, 

and the local community. 

•	 Program Development Study Phase outlines the process for evaluating the 

Feasibility Study as the foundation for the PDS, digesting new information, 

refining the project further, and directing the project’s design and construction 

strategy. This section discusses the process, deliverables, and keys to success to 

support a sound design start and construction funding request. 

•	 Appendices include a glossary, process checklists, and worksheets to determine 

team roles and responsibilities, as well as resources for more information. 

Beyond This Guide 

The Guide identifies many additional sources and experts for detailed support of the 

planning process and outlines a strategy to make effective use of those resources. GSA 

has a comprehensive body of additional resources on key topics important to project 

development, from site selection and preservation handbooks, to pricing guides and 

facilities standards. Consult Appendix F for the most detailed information regarding 

requirements for the Feasibility Study and PDS. 

New in This Guide 

•	 Comparison of the Pre-Planning, Feasibility Study, and PDS phases in terms of 

level of analysis, required deliverables, and supporting studies. 

•	 Typical timelines and durations for each study to assist with development 

of the Work Plan. 

•	 Summary sheets and checklists for key steps in the process. 

•	 Worksheets to assist with selection of team members.