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A Feasibility Study is a comprehensive analysis of a project’s viability. It evaluates a proposed project to determine whether it is technically feasible, economically justified, and can be completed successfully within the given timeframe.
The study aims to objectively uncover a proposed project’s strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the environment, the resources required to carry it through, and its prospects for success.
Background Overview
Feasibility studies originated in engineering but have since been adopted by various industries, including business, healthcare, and education.
They are often used to determine the viability of a project before significant resources are committed to it.
The study helps identify potential problems and determine if the proposed project will likely succeed.
Types of Feasibility Studies
There are several types of feasibility studies:
- Technical Feasibility: Assesses the technical resources available to complete the project.
- Economic Feasibility: Determines whether the project makes financial sense and if it can deliver economic benefits.
- Legal Feasibility: Evaluate if the project complies with all the relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
- Operational Feasibility: Assesses whether the project is feasible within the current operational resources and processes.
- Schedule Feasibility: Determines if the project can be completed within the proposed timeline.
Benefits of Feasibility Studies
Feasibility studies offer several benefits:
- They help to identify potential issues that could make a project unviable.
- They provide valuable information for decision-making.
- They can save time and money by identifying unfeasible projects early.
- They can increase a project’s chance of success by addressing issues before they become problems.
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Features and Opportunities for Using a Feasibility Study
Feasibility studies are characterized by their systematic and objective approach to decision-making. They provide an opportunity to:
- Evaluate alternatives: Feasibility studies allow for comparing different solutions to a problem.
- Mitigate risk: By identifying potential issues early, feasibility studies can help to mitigate risk.
- Secure funding: A well-conducted feasibility study can help to secure funding by demonstrating the viability of a project.
8 Ways to Complete a Feasibility Study in Business
- Define the Project: Clearly outline the objectives, scope, and expected outcomes.
- Conduct Market Research: Understand the market, competition, and customer needs.
- Analyze Technical Feasibility: Evaluate the technical resources required for the project.
- Assess Economic Feasibility: Determine the economic implications of the project.
- Evaluate Legal Feasibility: Ensure the project complies with all relevant laws and regulations.
- Assess Operational Feasibility: Determine if the project can be completed with the current operational resources.
- Evaluate Schedule Feasibility: Determine if the project can be completed within the proposed timeline.
- Prepare the Feasibility Report: Document the findings and make a recommendation based on the study.
Challenges with Performing a Feasibility Study
Feasibility studies can be complex and time-consuming. They require high expertise and a thorough understanding of the project.
For example, a feasibility study for a new manufacturing plant would require knowledge of manufacturing processes, market dynamics, and financial analysis.
5 Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Complete a Feasibility Study
- Define the Scope: Clearly outline the project’s objectives, scope, and expected outcomes.
- Conduct Research: Gather all the necessary data about the market, competition, and technical requirements.
- Analyze the Data: Evaluate the data to determine the project’s feasibility in terms of technical, economic, legal, operational, and schedule aspects.
- Prepare the Report: Document the findings, including potential issues and recommendations.
- Review and Decide: Review the report and decide based on the findings.
Pros and Cons of Not Conducting a Feasibility Study in Project Management Settings
Pros:
- It saves time and resources that would have been spent on the study.
- Allows for quicker implementation of projects.
Cons:
- Increases the risk of project failure due to unforeseen issues.
- This may lead to a waste of resources if the project proves unviable.
- This may result in poor decision-making due to a lack of comprehensive information.
Conclusion
Feasibility studies are a crucial part of project management and business planning.
They objectively analyse a project’s viability and can save time and resources by identifying potential issues early.
Despite the challenges, the benefits of conducting a feasibility study far outweigh the drawbacks.
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With 30+ years of experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. She is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.