Needs Assessment & Master Planning

Start your project with a firm understanding of your organization's needs

Every successful project starts with understanding what problem you are trying to solve. Carl A. Nelson & Company helps owners evaluate options, establish priorities and make informed decisions before committing to scope, funding or delivery through needs assessment, master planning and related pre-project services.

Depending on the market and location, this work also may be described as a feasibility study or programming. Regardless of terminology, these services are available across market sectors and are most commonly used for educational and healthcare projects.

Working with your leadership and other stakeholders from the concept stage, our team helps determine whether new construction, an addition, a renovation or another solution best addresses the identified need. This support can be provided as a stand-alone consulting service or alongside our pre-construction services, regardless of the eventual project delivery method.

What this means for owners

• Clearer alignment between early priorities and realistic project cost.
• Fewer surprises during permitting and construction through better early decisions.
• More confidence in phasing, operational impact, and long-term facility performance.

That’s how we approach planning at Carl A. Nelson & Company — Deliver Value. Build Trust. Repeat.

Needs Assessment

A thorough needs assessment creates a reliable foundation for every decision that follows. We work with owners to understand existing conditions, operational needs, and future goals before recommending solutions.

Working independently or with design professionals and other consultants, Carl A. Nelson & Company will gather a wide range of information to inform the client of its needs and lead the decision-making process about future changes to programming and facility operations. Depending on the client's unique needs, these assessments may include:

• preliminary cost estimating;
• interest surveys;
• space utilization / programming;
• market conditions (i.e. demographics, enrollment);
• ADA accessibility;
• code review;
• structural systems;
• electrical and mechanical systems; and
• site conditions.

When appropriate, our recommendations are grounded in constructability and real-world installation realities — helping owners avoid preventable issues before design and construction are locked in.

Master Planning

Carl A. Nelson & Company collaborates with stakeholders to process the information developed in the needs assessment phase and create a comprehensive facilities master plan. We assist the client in evaluating and prioritizing options to determine the short-term and long-term goals. By providing accurate cost data for potential facility changes, Carl A. Nelson & Company gives confidence to the process for the client to make vital decisions about the future.