The following observations and questions developed by the members of Heritage Manitoba can help a community decide if certain focuses of traditional and contemporary heritage work are possible, given specific community circumstances.

Information Foundations
Good local heritage planning is predicated on good local heritage information.
- Does your community have a local history book? Is it available on-line via the website Manitobia?
- Does your community have an archives?
- Does your community have a museum?
- Has your community undertaken the three foundational projects recommended by the Historic Resources Branch (Our Essential Past: Pivotal Events; Our Essential Past: Notable People; Our Essential Past: Special Places)?
Extant Buildings
A key aspect of heritage focus on a community is via its existing building stock.
- Does your community have a reasonably good number of older buildings?
- Do these buildings still suggest the range of types that would have defined the community at the turn of the 20th century – commercial, public, school, churches, houses?
- Do the buildings express the range of materials, construction and architectural styles that would make your community an interesting destination?
- Are owners interested in the history of their buildings?
Traditional Heritage Skills
Communities undertaking the traditional range of heritage projects will realize that there are distinct skill sets required for this important part of community heritage infrastructure.
- Are there people with broad knowledge of local family histories?
- Are there people with broad knowledge of local historical themes and events?
- Are there people available with research and writing skills?
New Heritage Skills
Heritage work across Canada is increasingly required to be more relevant to broader government priorities, like education and economic development, and also to demonstrate its value to the community in ways that are not just focused on heritage.
- Are there people who have planning skills?
- Are there people who have project management skills?
- Are there people who have conservation skills?
- Are there people with broader knowledge of Manitoba history?
Other Support Skills
Effective heritage work is also increasingly dependent on a range of other skill sets that help make our work more up to date and so on.
- Are there people with computer and digital skills?
- Are there people with leadership and inspirational skills?
- Are there people with graphic design skills?
- Are there people with negotiating skills?
- Are there people with grant-writing skills?