To determine the viability of a proposed project or system.
- Methodologies: Engineering, Product Design, Project Management
Feasibility Study

Feasibility Study
- Cost Allocation, Market Research, New Product Introduction (NPI), Product Development, Project Management, Risk Management
Objective:
How it’s used:
- An assessment of the practicality of a proposed project or system. It typically evaluates the technical, economic, legal, and operational feasibility of the project to determine whether it is worth pursuing.
Pros
- Helps to avoid investing in projects that are likely to fail; Provides a clear basis for decision-making.
Cons
- Can be time-consuming and expensive to conduct; The results are based on assumptions and may not be accurate.
Categories:
- Economics, Project Management
Best for:
- Evaluating a new product idea before committing significant resources to its development.
Feasibility studies play a significant role in various industries, including technology, healthcare, construction, and manufacturing, serving as an assessment tool primarily during the early phases of project development. They are particularly relevant for evaluating innovative product concepts where understanding market demand, regulatory requirements, potential technical challenges, and cost implications is crucial. Participants typically include project managers, engineers, financial analysts, and marketing experts, all collaborating to assess aspects such as infrastructure needs and timeline considerations. Legal feasibility can be particularly intricate in sectors involving stringent regulations, like pharmaceuticals or aerospace, where compliance with safety standards is assessed rigorously. Studies may also address operational factors, determining if existing resources, workforce capabilities, and supply chain logistics can support the proposed initiative. Additionally, when performed in the pre-development phase, feasibility studies can serve as a foundation for securing financing from investors or stakeholders, aligning their expectations with grounded analyses. They reduce wasted expenditures on initiatives that lack a viable framework for success and clarify potential return on investment by quantifying the forecasted economic benefits against associated risks. Such studies enable organizations to establish a more informed approach to project planning, hence facilitating smoother transitions into subsequent design and execution stages.
Key steps of this methodology
- Define project scope and objectives.
- Conduct a market analysis to assess demand.
- Evaluate technical requirements and capabilities.
- Analyze economic factors including cost estimates and revenue potential.
- Assess legal and regulatory considerations.
- Review operational feasibility, including resource availability and processes.
- Identify potential risks and challenges associated with the project.
- Determine alternative solutions or approaches.
- Prepare a feasibility matrix to compare options and their implications.
Pro Tips
- Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats specific to the product idea, allowing for a comprehensive view of its potential market position.
- Incorporate stakeholder feedback early in the feasibility study process to uncover practical concerns and hidden requirements that might not be apparent in initial evaluations.
- Utilize a prototyping approach to validate assumptions around product functionality and user experience before full-scale development, ensuring technical and operational feasibility aligns with market expectations.
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