The feasibility study and the needs assessment phases of the facility design process are then two different and important processes to be completed by the designers of a sports facility. The two phases are sometimes perceived as synonyms, and this is explained by the fact that they share some similarities, such as their emphasis on longer term stability and sustainability of the facility. In addition, both the feasibility analysis and the needs analysis raise additional financial costs for the project, meaning that the final costs of the investment in the sports facility is increased.

Despite the similarities however, the two phases of feasibility and needs assessment are notably different as a result of the disparities between them. The feasibility analysis is then more complex as it focuses on numerous aspects of the facility, such as the strategies to be employed, the structure of the facility and so on. The results it generates are qualitative ones, in the meaning that they simply state whether the assessed issue is feasible or not.

In the case of the needs assessment phase however, the number of assessed elements is uncertain as these are established in each situation, based on the respective needs of the project. Furthermore, the results of the needs assessment phase are quantitative as they estimate the volume of resources needed by the facility.

At the level of the roles they play in the overall...

If having to choose one as more important than the other, the choice would fall with the feasibility analysis. This is more complex and focused on more elements than the needs assessment and its increased importance is further proved by the priority granted to the phase on the chart of the facility design process.
Nevertheless, the needs assessment phase is not an optional phase, and it is also necessary to be integrated within the process of designing and building a sports center; its priority is nevertheless seconded by the feasibility analysis. Still, both phases are essential and have to be integrated in a thorough facility design process (National Park Service, 2006).