Vorplanning

Vorplanning, sometimes written Vorplanung, is an early stage in the planning process for projects in fields such as architecture, civil engineering, urban planning, and other large-scale ventures. The aim is to define the project’s basic scope, objectives, constraints, and feasibility before more detailed design work begins. In German-speaking contexts, Vorplanung is a recognized phase that typically sits between initial feasibility or needs assessment and the more detailed design steps.

Core activities during Vorplanning include stakeholder identification and needs assessment, site and context analysis, regulatory and permitting constraints, preliminary cost estimates, rough project schedules, and the exploration of alternative approaches. The process often involves workshops, studies, and concept development to clarify what is technically and economically viable and to establish a basis for decisions on proceeding.

Deliverables commonly produced in this phase are a project brief, a feasibility or scoping study, a preliminary concept outline, and a risk assessment. These outputs help decision-makers determine whether to proceed to further planning stages, such as design planning, construction planning, or formal approval processes, and they inform procurement and governance arrangements.

In practice, the content and level of detail of Vorplanning vary by jurisdiction and project type. In the German HOAI framework, it corresponds to a defined early planning stage, guiding subsequent design phases. Limitations include reliance on uncertain data and assumptions, with the understanding that scope and feasibility may change as more information becomes available.