What does the master planning process look like?
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What does the master planning process look like?
There are a wide variety of processes used to develop master plans. Some processes may be carried out in a matter of days, while others can take a year or more. Some processes are structured and analytical, while others are much more intuitive and free flowing. Some processes involve large numbers of church members while others utilize the input of only a hand full of people. The type of professional that is selected to carryout the master planning process usually determines what the focus and mechanics of the process will be. So, it is very important for the church to understand the differences and make an educated decision as to what process works best for them.
Most master planning processes are led by architects. An architect is absolutely essential in developing an effective master plan. Their knowledge and expertise related to construction methods, aesthetics, building function, codes, etc is necessary in order to develop a master plan that can be successfully carried out. However, architects do not have the breadth of knowledge and expertise to address all the issues that should be addressed in a comprehensive master plan. The church’s vision and resources, along with the actual costs associated with the construction of the facilities is not something an architect is qualified to address.
Many churches have recognized that architects are not capable of helping them with their vision clarification and implementation. So, they turn to church planners/consultants to lead them in their master planning process. They now have a greater focus on their vision which is absolutely essential in developing an effective master plan, but they are now missing the critical input that an architect brings to the process. The result can be a master plan that may be impractical and never gets carried out or gets significantly reworked in the process of architectural design.
Both of these approaches lack one other very important ingredient. Neither approach adequately addresses the issue of construction costs. Neither professional is qualified to thoroughly analyze the factors that effect construction costs and make recommendations that help keep project budgets in line with the church’s resources. A master plan that does not first accurately determine the resources that the church has available and then accurately determines that the plan fits within those budget restrictions, is virtually useless.
There is only one approach that effectively addresses the issues of vision, needs and resources in one comprehensive master plan. That approach is for the church to engage a team made up of an experienced church planner, an experienced church architect and an experienced church builder that can together, along with the church, address every issue that needs to be addressed in developing a comprehensive master plan. This integrated approach that allows the church to sit at the table and engage in the dialogue and be part of the process results in a master plan that is an accurate reflection of the church’s vision; that meets the practical needs of the church and fits within the resources available to the church.
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