Strategic and Master Planning for Small Zoological Organizations
With our laser-like focus on your future, it's almost like we've got night vision.
Below you will find definitions of our major services. If you are unsure where to begin, use our Assessment Tool to understand what service, if any, is right for you at this time.
what is a master plan?
Master Planning is a holistic process ultimately focused on creating a feasible plan for your physical facilities based on sound business strategy to support your institution in achieving its mission over the long-term. It is both an analytical and creative process, bringing your staff together with outside experts to create a plan with enthusiastic agreement!
The process is as valuable as a team building exercise as it is in creating a logical, realistic plan for you to implement over the next 10 to 25 years of your institution.
A successful plan includes short-term goals to get you over the hurdles you face today (like that failing perimeter fence), as well as long-term goals that increase attendance and revenues to allow further pursuance of your mission. Long-term goals may include new exhibits for new species, resolving parking limitations, adding a restaurant, or renovating existing exhibits to elevate animal wellness. We may also discuss non-physical attractions, such as special events and after-dark hours, as strategies to increase attendance. These may require some infrastructure improvements, which will be documented and planned for in the master plan budget.
A common result of a master plan is the ability of an institution to more successfully fundraise. Creating a strong plan, based on research and past performance, with exciting new attractions supporting and enhancing your mission, often elevates confidence in your institution’s ability to complete projects—which, in turn, makes donors comfortable in providing financial support.
what is a master plan refresh?
Do you have a master plan that has faced some challenges? Do you still love the direction and the ideas originally created, but got sidetracked along the way? Did you receive funding along the way for a non-master plan project, need to dedicated funds to an unplanned renovation, or acquire new land that was not in consideration during the master planning process? Have your priorities changed, but your ideas remained solid? If so, you may be in need of a refresh.
During a master plan refresh, we review the past master plan and discuss the elements that remain in your goals and any changes that may have occurred to your site. Our process is shortened—eliminating market analysis, community engagement, revenues analysis, and minimizing site analysis. Creative development is limited to one or two new projects. The bulk of the planning is dedicated to redrawing your site plan, updating your project budgets, and reworking the roll-out schedule. All of this will re-invigorate your plan and reset your course to long-term success.
WHAT IS A STRATEGIC PLAN?
Our Strategic Planning services give your organization the direction, tools, and confidence needed to make quick decisions and focus your resources on maximizing your mission impact. This service is holistic and focuses on all aspects of your organization—your programs, financials, marketing and brand, staffing model, organizational structure, etc. You name it! Strategic Plans typically address challenges and opportunities within the near-term (3-5 years) and lay out a clear and precise set of tasks to address defined goals.
We partner with Monumental Strides to help your team understand where you are today, create an aligned vision for moving forward, and build an actionable roadmap to grow your business and your impact. Like our Master Plans, we strive to create realistic, implementable plans with concise, bold visions for your future.
Typical deliverables for a Strategic Plan include a narrative report and a spreadsheet action plan allowing your team to adjust timetables, tasks, and responsibilities as you proceed through implementation. Additionally, we suggest on-going implementation assistance as a consulting service where we touch base with your team at regular intervals to assess your status, discuss challenges to implementation, and help re-direct the plan to ensure your vision and goals are achieved.
Furthermore, if you are also in need of a Master Plan, we recommend pursuing both concurrently. We have created a process for both Strategic and Master Planning that maximizes team efficiency and plan alignment resulting in a comprehensive plan to grow your organization and facility simultaneously.
WHAT IS concept design?
Do you have an idea for a new exhibit or facility, and are ready to get moving now? We can create a beautiful concept design that captures your idea into a comprehensive and stunning package for use in fundraising and garnering community support. Concept Design typically includes a site plan, basic floor plan, project program, concept narrative, inspiration images, and artistic renderings. Full design services begin after Concept Design.
Felis Consulting does not offer full design services, but we can help you find an Architectural and Landscape Architectural firm to do so. We are also happy to offer consulting throughout the full design services process to ensure the design vision is achieved.
Felis is also available to join A/E teams as a subconsultant at an hourly rate. Please contact us for a proposal.
why felis consulting?
Because bigger isn’t always better.
As a small firm, we focus solely on you—taking on only one client at a time. This ensures our deepest understanding and creativity is directed towards your future, without distraction.
With a small firm, you get to work directly with the person who is creating your strategies. From start to finish, you shake the same hand, look into the same eyes, and build trust in the same person who is there for you now and into the future.
