Identify economic need

• Leaders and other potential member-users identify the economic need the cooperative might fulfill.
• A steering committee of potential member-users is selected to guide the project.

Deliberate

• Develop an overview of proposed business operations.
• Survey prospective members to determine the potential use of a cooperative.
• Conduct a feasibility study.
  - Economic
  - Marketing
  - Technical
  - Financial
  - Management

• Develop a business plan.

Implement

• Prepare legal papers and incorporate.
• Elect a board of directors.
• Implement the business plan.
• Conduct a membership drive.
• Acquire capital and develop a loan application package.

Execute

• Hire the manager.
• Acquire facilities.
• Begin operations.

* See Appendix A and CIR 7 - "How to Start a Cooperative", for more information on these stages and the individual steps involved in the entire development process.