The Feasibility Study Mythology
Consulting firms (even mine!) have long had a vested interest in keeping feasibility studies just as they are: expensive and complicated. This is the “black box” theory at its best: ”As a consultant, I can look into the black box and tell you what I see; however, you can’t understand it well enough to interpret it correctly.” This myth is being debunked even as we speak. The non profit market is clamoring for a simpler, easier way to get ready for campaigns.
My firm has now conducted 3 alternative feasibility studies in which the consultant shares interviews with a senior development officer of the NP. There is always a question about projected gifts to the study and all the attendant questions regarding leadership and case analysis. Most importantly, to keep the traditional firewall in place there is an option for interviewees to disclose their estimated gifts directly to the consultant, if they’d rather. Most people don’t care and most people don’t mistake a pre campaign study with an ask either.
Let’s let this expensive monstrosity go and better meet the needs of our sector.
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