2. Feasibility Study

STEP 2.1 Identify Stakeholders

Purpose To identify who to consult to complete the Feasibility Study Stage.
Timing Note While you will decide the plan for stakeholder consultation during this step, consultation with the stakeholders will continue throughout the Feasibility Study Stage.
Useful Tools
  • Guidelines on Stakeholder Engagement
  • Guidelines on Feasibility Study
  • Feasibility Study Report TEMPLATE

Actions

Action Description
1 Review the project stakeholders to be consulted during the Feasibility Study Stage.
2 Identify when stakeholders should be consulted in this Stage.
3 Consult with the stakeholders as identified throughout the Feasibility Study Stage.
At the end of this step: The stakeholder consultation conducted in the Feasibility Study Stage is recorded in the Socially Acceptable section of the Feasibility Study Report.

STEP 2.2 Describe the Site

Purpose To develop a complete description of the eradication site.
Timing Note You will learn more about the site on each visit so the description of the site can be expanded as and when necessary.
Useful Tools
  • Feasibility Study Report TEMPLATE
  • Feasibility Study Report WORKED EXAMPLE

Actions

Action Description
1 Get to know the site.
Note: Refer to the notes in The Site section of the Feasibility Study Report TEMPLATE, for the type of information needed.
2 Record the information in The Site section of the Feasibility Study Report.
At the end of this step: The Site section of the Feasibility Study Report is complete.

STEP 2.3 Describe the Target Species

Purpose To describe the species to be eradicated and explain why.
Timing Note You will learn more about the target species and impacts during the site visit – expand this section as you learn more about the target species.
Useful Tools
  • Feasibility Study Report TEMPLATE
  • Feasibility Study Report WORKED EXAMPLE

Actions

Action Description
1 Gather all the information you have on the target species; the impact at the eradication site and the benefits of eradication.
2 Record the information in The Target Species, Impacts and Benefits of Removal section of the Feasibility Study Report .
At the end of this step: The Target Species, Impacts and Benefits of Removal section of the Feasibility Study Report is complete.

STEP 2.4 Define the Goal, Objectives and Outcomes

Purpose To develop a clear understanding of what the eradication project will achieve.
Timing Note The Goal, Objectives and Outcomes may change as a result of the findings of the Feasibility Study. Review this step as you are writing the Can it be Done? Section and the Conclusion Section.
Useful Tools
  • Guidelines for Project Managers
  • Feasibility Study Report TEMPLATE
  • Feasibility Study Report WORKED EXAMPLE

Actions

Action Description
1 Record the goal of the project in the Goal, Objectives and Outcomes section of the Feasibility Study Report.
2 Record the objectives of the project in the Goal, Objectives and Outcomes section of the Feasibility Study Report.
3 Record the outcomes of the project in the Goal, Objectives and Outcomes section of the Feasibility Study Report.
At the end of this step: The Goal, Objectives and Outcomes section of the Feasibility Study Report is complete.

STEP 2.5 Start the Can It Be Done? Section

Purpose To identify what further information is required to assess the feasibility of the project.
Timing Note This section of the Feasibility Study Report is generally completed via known information; desktop research and a site visit (see Step 2.7 Visit the Site and Update the Can It Be Done? section).
Useful Tools
  • Guidelines on the Feasibility Study
  • Feasibility Study Report TEMPLATE
  • Feasibility Study Report WORKED EXAMPLE
  • Guidelines on Choosing the Correct Eradication Technique
  • Guidelines on Cat Eradication and Monitoring Techniques
  • Guidelines on Biosecurity
  • Guidelines on Rodent Bait and Baiting
  • Guidelines on Non-Target Species
  • Guidelines on Managing Environmental Effects
  • Guidelines on Stakeholder Engagement
  • Guidelines on Consents and Permits

Actions

Action Description
1 Review each of the seven criteria in the Guidelines on Feasibility Study and the template notes in the Can it Be Done? section of the Feasibility Study Report.
2 Complete research using relevant sources of information.
3 Record the relevant information in the Can it Be Done? section.
4 Make a list of what further information is required to complete this section.

At the end of this step:

  • What you do know about the feasibility of the project is recorded in the Can it Be Done? section of the Feasibility Study Report.
  • You have a list of what further information is required to be obtained during the upcoming site visit.

STEP 2.6 Complete the Site Visit Biosecurity Assessment

Purpose To ensure the project team do not transport any invasive species to and from the island during the site visit.
Timing Note This, and all subsequent trips, to all islands must apply biosecurity prevention measures. Your prevention measures may need to be reassessed as you learn more about possible invasive species threats. A comprehensive Biosecurity Plan is completed in the Operational Planning Stage.
Useful Tools
  • Guidelines on Biosecurity
  • Feasibility Study Report TEMPLATE
  • Feasibility Study Report WORKED EXAMPLE
  • Biosecurity prevention trip checklist TEMPLATE

Actions

Action Description
1 Identify the invasive species that could be a threat to the island.
2 Identify the invasive species that are currently on the island.
3 Record the known threats in the Sustainable section of the Feasibility Study Report.
4 Plan the prevention measures the project team will apply when visiting the island.
5 Write a pre-departure checklist to ensure prevention measures are applied. See the Biosecurity Prevention Trip Checklist TEMPLATE for a suggested format.
6 Record the measures in the Prevention Strategy column of the Invasive Species Table in the Sustainable section of the Feasibility Study Report.

At the end of this step:

  • The Sustainable section of the Feasibility Study Report contains details of the:
    • identified invasive species, any other possible threat, and the
    • biosecurity prevention measures to be used by the project team
  • A project-specific pre-departure checklist based on the Biosecurity prevention trip checklist TEMPLATE is complete.

STEP 2.7 Visit the Site and Update the Can It Be Done Section

Purpose To gather the information identified in Step 2.5 - Start the Can It Be Done? section.
Useful Tools
  • Guidelines on Stakeholder Engagement
  • Guidelines on Feasibility Study
  • Feasibility Study Report TEMPLATE
  • Feasibility Study Report WORKED EXAMPLE.
  • Guidelines for Project Managers.
  • Guidelines on Choosing the Correct Eradication Technique
  • Guidelines on Cat Eradication and Monitoring Techniques
  • Guidelines on Biosecurity
  • Guidelines on Rodent Bait and Baiting
  • Guidelines on Rodent Identification
  • Guidelines on Non-Target Species
  • Guidelines on Managing Environmental Effects
  • Guidelines on Consents and Permits

Actions

Action Description
1 Review Step 2.1 Consult Stakeholders to determine how you will consult with relevant stakeholders, e.g. community, landowners, government departments, before and during the site visit.
2 Review the list of further information required (from Step 2.5 - Start the Can It Be Done? section) and plan how you will use the site visit to gather the information.
3 Identify the people who will form the feasibility study team to visit the island.
4 Organise the site visit.
Note: Includes consulting with the stakeholders identified in Action 1 above. For further information see Guidelines on Feasibility Study.
5 Visit the site.
6 Record details of the site visit in the Appendix of the Feasibility Study Report.
7 Record the information you gather on the seven feasibility criteria, in the Can it Be Done? section of the Feasibility Study Report.
8 a) Consider each criteria in the Can it Be Done? section and decide whether the project can meet these.
b) Record the decision and explanation in each criteria section of the document.
9

a) For each criteria, identify any issues that will need resolving to make the project a success.
b) Record all identified issues in each criteria section of the document. 

Note: Solutions to issues are not required at this stage; these will be detailed in the Operational Planning stage.

At the end of this step:

  • The Can it Be Done? section of the Feasibility Study Report is complete and contains:
    • whether each criteria can be met, and
    • any issues that need resolving.
  • The Appendix of the Feasibility Study Report contains a report on each site visit.

STEP 2.8 Assess the Feasibility of the Project

Purpose To use all the information recorded in the Can It Be Done? section and decide whether the project is feasible.
Timing Note As the feasibility of the project is assessed, the Goal, Objectives and Outcomes may need to change. Return to Step 2.4 and check whether you need to update them as a result of the findings of the Feasibility Study.
Useful Tools
  • Guidelines on Feasibility Study
  • Feasibility Study Report TEMPLATE
  • Feasibility Study Report WORKED EXAMPLE

Actions

Action Description
1 Review all the information, decisions and issues in the Can it Be Done? section and decide whether, all things considered, the project is feasible.
2 Record your decision (and the reasons for your decision) in the Conclusion section of the Feasibility Study Report.

At the end of this step: The Conclusion section of the Feasibility Study Report is complete and contains the overall decision and explanation of whether the project is feasible.

STEP 2.9 Complete the Feasibility Study Report

Purpose To complete the Feasibility Study Report.
Timing Note Depending on the reviewer’s comments you may need to have the Feasibility Study Report reviewed more than once before it is complete.
Useful Tools
  • Guidelines on the Feasibility Study
  • Guidelines for Project Managers
  • Feasibility Study Report TEMPLATE
  • Feasibility Study Report WORKED EXAMPLE

Actions

Action Description
1 Complete the Executive Summary and Introduction of the Feasibility Study Report.
2 Record all documents used and referred to while preparing the Feasibility Study Report, in the References section.
3 Record any other useful information in the Appendix of the Feasibility Study Report.
4 Review all sections of the Feasibility Study Report to ensure it is complete.
5 Have the Feasibility Study Report reviewed by independent technical advisors.
For more information, refer to the Guidelines for Project Managers.
6 Update the Feasibility Study Report to reflect reviewer’s feedback.

At the end of this step: The independently-reviewed Feasibility Study Report is complete.

STEP 2.10 Inform the Stakeholders

Purpose To communicate the outcome of the Feasibility Study.
Useful Tools Guidelines on Stakeholder Engagement.

Actions

Action Description
1 Review the Socially Acceptable section in the Feasibility Study Report to confirm how you plan to communicate with each group of stakeholders.
2 Communicate as planned, providing copies of the Feasibility Study Report (as required).

At the end of this step: Stakeholders have been informed of the outcome of the Feasibility Study Stage.