Planning
- Feasibility Analysis
- Marketing Research
- Construction & Opening
Feasibility Analysis
Healthplex® Associates’ unique approach to strategic planning emphasizes education. We work with our clients to develop a strategic plan that “fits” their organization, rather than force a template that comes from some other project. With Healthplex® Associates, every center, every project is a study of one.
HPA sees its mission as not just developing a fitness organization, but also adapting a fitness organization to a healthcare delivery system. After all, we too, are hospital and health system people.
Our approach to project planning is designed to minimize project risk and financial exposure to the client. This is accomplished through the completion of a product called a Feasibility Study. One of the key questions at this early stage is whether or not there is enough unmet demand to support a Healthplex. The extent of this demand will dictate the probable size, major components and general profitability of the proposed center. The cost of this study is very modest and, in the case of adverse findings, the client may elect not to proceed further in the project planning. While there are many components of a plan for a new wellness center, the principal categories include the final site selection and procurement, final project sizing, financial feasibility analysis, establishment of protocols for integration with client medical programs, medical component space planning, marketing and construction planning. Included in the Feasibility Study is the operations business plan which precisely defines the fitness component, identifies its goals, and serves as its blue print. The basic components include accurate financial projections by a team that knows the business. This helps allocate resources properly, prepare for unforeseen complications, and to make good business decisions.
Elements of a typical Feasibility Study include:
- Fit with hospital strategic plan, mission and organization
- Description of the fitness club (concept, size, location, etc.)
- Fitness competition analysis
- Membership demand by type
- Year-to-year membership growth
- Site description
- Project sizing
- Establishment of protocols for integration with client medical programs
- Capital equipment and supply analysis
- Breakeven analysis
- 5year pro-forma income projections (profit & loss statements)
- Project cost assumptions
- Recommendations and action plan
Marketing Research
In conjunction with an independent, third party demographic research firm, Healthplex® Associates can provide a comprehensive assessment to guide the development of a proposed center or the efforts of an existing one. Our proven market research techniques utilize state-of-the-art scientific methodology, taking the guesswork out of the process.
Building a feasibility analysis for a proposed center includes tailoring the concept to the unique demographics of a specific market and that individual site. The investment in a proposed center cannot be protected and nurtured by an “off-the-shelf” consulting product based on a program that was developed for some other facility.
Sometimes, questions arise that are outside the purview of the demand model. In the case of unique demand issues, a client may benefit from local research regarding consumer intent. In other cases, questions about pricing or the value of certain features may indicate the need for custom research. Our team has conducted hundreds of custom studies using a variety of techniques, from focus groups to phone research to custom surveys.
Construction & Opening
Experience has shown that employing an experienced “end-user” can provide high quality with prudent cost management. The construction of a wellness facility is very different from most other hospital construction projects. Ultimately, the facility must support the specialized needs of all tenants, but within the square foot and price constraints that support sustainable business plans. Healthplex Associates understands these special requirements.
The construction management oversight by Healthplex Associates includes the following elements:
- Preliminary and final design
- Site design
- Architectural development
- Vendor selection
- Contract process
- Interior design elements