I recently had the opportunity to pose the following questions to a work group focused on making a go/no go/reconsider program (aka business) planning decision.
Here are the questions:
1. How much interest and or investment is there by the board (consistency with mission)?
2. Is the revenue model sustainable?
3. Is there or how big of a demand is there by the target population?
4. Does the organization have, or could it have without significant investments, the capacity to do the program?
If the revenue model says that no money can be generated and/or a loss would occur and there is no demonstrated demand and, the board or governing body is not really enthused -- DON'T DO THIS!