market research feasibility study example

What is a Feasibility Study and How to Conduct It? (+ Examples)

Appinio Research · 26.09.2023 · 28min read

Are you ready to turn your project or business idea into a concrete reality but unsure about its feasibility? Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a first-time project manager, understanding the intricate process of conducting a feasibility study is vital for making informed decisions and maximizing your chances of success.

This guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of market, technical, financial, and operational feasibility studies. By the end, you'll have a clear roadmap to confidently assess, plan, and execute your project.

What is a Feasibility Study?

A feasibility study is a systematic and comprehensive analysis of a proposed project or business idea to assess its viability and potential for success. It involves evaluating various aspects such as market demand, technical feasibility, financial viability, and operational capabilities. The primary goal of a feasibility study is to provide you with valuable insights and data to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with the project.

Why is a Feasibility Study Important?

Conducting a feasibility study is a critical step in the planning process for any project or business. It helps you:

• Minimize Risks: By identifying potential challenges and obstacles early on, you can develop strategies to mitigate risks.
• Optimize Resource Allocation: A feasibility study helps you allocate your resources more efficiently, including time and money.
• Enhance Decision-Making: Armed with data and insights, you can make well-informed decisions about pursuing the project or exploring alternative options.
• Attract Stakeholders: Potential investors, lenders, and partners often require a feasibility study to assess the project's credibility and potential return on investment.

Now that you understand the importance of feasibility studies, let's explore the various types and dive deeper into each aspect.

Types of Feasibility Studies

Feasibility studies come in various forms, each designed to assess different aspects of a project's viability. Let's delve into the four primary types of feasibility studies in more detail:

1. Market Feasibility Study

Market feasibility studies are conducted to determine whether there is a demand for a product or service in a specific market or industry. This type of study focuses on understanding customer needs, market trends, and the competitive landscape. Here are the key elements of a market feasibility study:

• Market Research and Analysis: Comprehensive research is conducted to gather market size, growth potential , and customer behavior data. This includes both primary research (surveys, interviews) and secondary research (existing reports, data).
• Target Audience Identification: Identifying the ideal customer base by segmenting the market based on demographics, psychographics, and behavior. Understanding your target audience is crucial for tailoring your product or service.
• Competitive Analysis : Assessing the competition within the market, including identifying direct and indirect competitors, their strengths, weaknesses, and market share .
• Demand and Supply Assessment: Analyzing the balance between the demand for the product or service and its supply. This helps determine whether there is room for a new entrant in the market.

2. Technical Feasibility Study

Technical feasibility studies evaluate whether the project can be developed and implemented from a technical standpoint. This assessment focuses on the project's design, technical requirements, and resource availability. Here's what it entails:

• Project Design and Technical Requirements: Defining the technical specifications of the project, including hardware, software, and any specialized equipment. This phase outlines the technical aspects required for project execution.
• Technology Assessment: Evaluating the chosen technology's suitability for the project and assessing its scalability and compatibility with existing systems.
• Resource Evaluation: Assessing the availability of essential resources such as personnel, materials, and suppliers to ensure the project's technical requirements can be met.
• Risk Analysis: Identifying potential technical risks, challenges, and obstacles that may arise during project development. Developing risk mitigation strategies is a critical part of technical feasibility.

3. Financial Feasibility Study

Financial feasibility studies aim to determine whether the project is financially viable and sustainable in the long run. This type of study involves estimating costs, projecting revenue, and conducting financial analyses. Key components include:

• Cost Estimation: Calculating both initial and ongoing costs associated with the project, including capital expenditures, operational expenses, and contingency funds.
• Revenue Projections: Forecasting the income the project is expected to generate, considering sales, pricing strategies, market demand, and potential revenue streams.
• Investment Analysis: Evaluating the return on investment (ROI), payback period, and potential risks associated with financing the project.
• Financial Viability Assessment: Analyzing the project's profitability, cash flow, and financial stability to ensure it can meet its financial obligations and sustain operations.

4. Operational Feasibility Study

Operational feasibility studies assess whether the project can be effectively implemented within the organization's existing operational framework. This study considers processes, resource planning, scalability, and operational risks. Key elements include:

• Process and Workflow Assessment: Analyzing how the project integrates with current processes and workflows, identifying potential bottlenecks, and optimizing operations.
• Resource Planning: Determining the human, physical, and technological resources required for successful project execution and identifying resource gaps.
• Scalability Evaluation: Assessing the project's ability to adapt and expand to meet changing demands and growth opportunities, including capacity planning and growth strategies.
• Operational Risks Analysis: Identifying potential operational challenges and developing strategies to mitigate them, ensuring smooth project implementation.

Each type of feasibility study serves a specific purpose in evaluating different facets of your project, collectively providing a comprehensive assessment of its viability and potential for success.

How to Prepare for a Feasibility Study?

Before you dive into the nitty-gritty details of conducting a feasibility study, it's essential to prepare thoroughly. Proper preparation will set the stage for a successful and insightful study. In this section, we'll explore the main steps involved in preparing for a feasibility study.

1. Identify the Project or Idea

Identifying and defining your project or business idea is the foundational step in the feasibility study process. This initial phase is critical because it helps you clarify your objectives and set the direction for the study.

• Problem Identification: Start by pinpointing the problem or need your project addresses. What pain point does it solve for your target audience?
• Project Definition: Clearly define your project or business idea. What are its core components, features, or offerings?
• Goals and Objectives: Establish specific goals and objectives for your project. What do you aim to achieve in the short and long term?
• Alignment with Vision: Ensure your project aligns with your overall vision and mission. How does it fit into your larger strategic plan?

Remember, the more precisely you can articulate your project or idea at this stage, the easier it will be to conduct a focused and effective feasibility study.

2. Assemble a Feasibility Study Team

Once you've defined your project, the next step is to assemble a competent and diverse feasibility study team. Your team's expertise will play a crucial role in conducting a thorough assessment of your project's viability.

• Identify Key Roles: Determine the essential roles required for your feasibility study. These typically include experts in areas such as market research, finance, technology, and operations.
• Select Team Members: Choose team members with the relevant skills and experience to fulfill these roles effectively. Look for individuals who have successfully conducted feasibility studies in the past.
• Collaboration and Communication: Foster a collaborative environment within your team. Effective communication is essential to ensure everyone is aligned on objectives and timelines.
• Project Manager: Designate a project manager responsible for coordinating the study, tracking progress, and meeting deadlines.
• External Consultants: In some cases, you may need to engage external consultants or specialists with niche expertise to provide valuable insights.

Having the right people on your team will help you collect accurate data, analyze findings comprehensively, and make well-informed decisions based on the study's outcomes.

3. Set Clear Objectives and Scope

Before you begin the feasibility study, it's crucial to establish clear and well-defined objectives. These objectives will guide your research and analysis efforts throughout the study.

Steps to Set Clear Objectives and Scope:

• Objective Clarity: Define the specific goals you aim to achieve through the feasibility study. What questions do you want to answer, and what decisions will the study inform?
• Scope Definition: Determine the boundaries of your study. What aspects of the project will be included, and what will be excluded? Clarify any limitations.
• Resource Allocation: Assess the resources needed for the study, including time, budget, and personnel. Ensure that you allocate resources appropriately based on the scope and objectives.
• Timeline: Establish a realistic timeline for the feasibility study. Identify key milestones and deadlines for completing different phases of the study.

Clear objectives and a well-defined scope will help you stay focused and avoid scope creep during the study. They also provide a basis for measuring the study's success against its intended outcomes.

4. Gather Initial Information

Before you delve into extensive research and data collection , start by gathering any existing information and documents related to your project or industry. This initial step will help you understand the current landscape and identify gaps in your knowledge.

• Document Review: Review any existing project documentation, market research reports, business plans, or relevant industry studies.
• Competitor Analysis : Gather information about your competitors, including their products, pricing, market share, and strategies.
• Regulatory and Compliance Documents: If applicable, collect information on industry regulations, permits, licenses, and compliance requirements.
• Market Trends: Stay informed about current market trends, consumer preferences, and emerging technologies that may impact your project.
• Stakeholder Interviews: Consider conducting initial interviews with key stakeholders, including potential customers, suppliers, and industry experts, to gather insights and feedback.

By starting with a strong foundation of existing knowledge, you'll be better prepared to identify gaps that require further investigation during the feasibility study. This proactive approach ensures that your study is comprehensive and well-informed from the outset.

How to Conduct a Market Feasibility Study?

The market feasibility study is a crucial component of your overall feasibility analysis. It focuses on assessing the potential demand for your product or service, understanding your target audience, analyzing your competition, and evaluating supply and demand dynamics within your chosen market.

Market Research and Analysis

Market research is the foundation of your market feasibility study. It involves gathering and analyzing data to gain insights into market trends, customer preferences, and the overall business landscape.

• Data Collection: Utilize various methods such as surveys, interviews, questionnaires, and secondary research to collect data about the market. This data may include market size, growth rates, and historical trends.
• Market Segmentation: Divide the market into segments based on factors such as demographics, psychographics , geography, and behavior. This segmentation helps you identify specific target markets .
• Customer Needs Analysis: Understand the needs, preferences, and pain points of potential customers . Determine how your product or service can address these needs effectively.
• Market Trends: Stay updated on current market trends, emerging technologies, and industry innovations that could impact your project.
• SWOT Analysis: Conduct a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis to identify internal and external factors that may affect your market entry strategy.

In today's dynamic market landscape, gathering precise data for your market feasibility study is paramount. Appinio offers a versatile platform that enables you to swiftly collect valuable market insights from a diverse audience.

With Appinio, you can employ surveys, questionnaires, and in-depth analyses to refine your understanding of market trends, customer preferences, and competition.

Enhance your market research and gain a competitive edge by booking a demo with us today!

Book a Demo

Target Audience Identification

Knowing your target audience is essential for tailoring your product or service to meet their specific needs and preferences.

• Demographic Analysis: Define the age, gender, income level, education, and other demographic characteristics of your ideal customers.
• Psychographic Profiling: Understand the psychographics of your target audience, including their lifestyle, values, interests, and buying behavior.
• Market Segmentation: Refine your target audience by segmenting it further based on shared characteristics and behaviors.
• Needs and Pain Points: Identify your target audience's unique needs, challenges, and pain points that your product or service can address.
• Competitor's Customers: Analyze the customer base of your competitors to identify potential opportunities for capturing market share.

Competitive Analysis

Competitive analysis helps you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors, positioning your project strategically within the market.

• Competitor Identification: Identify direct and indirect competitors within your industry or market niche.
• Competitive Advantage: Determine the unique selling points (USPs) that set your project apart from competitors. What value can you offer that others cannot?
• SWOT Analysis for Competitors: Conduct a SWOT analysis for each competitor to assess their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Market Share Assessment: Analyze each competitor's market share and market penetration strategies.
• Pricing Strategies: Investigate the pricing strategies employed by competitors and consider how your pricing strategy will compare.

Leveraging the power of data collection and analysis is essential in gaining a competitive edge. With Appinio , you can efficiently gather critical insights about your competitors, their strengths, and weaknesses. Seamlessly integrate these findings into your market feasibility study, empowering your project with a strategic advantage.

Demand and Supply Assessment

Understanding supply and demand dynamics is crucial for gauging market sustainability and potential challenges.

• Market Demand Analysis: Estimate the current and future demand for your product or service. Consider factors like seasonality and trends.
• Supply Evaluation: Assess the availability of resources, suppliers, and distribution channels required to meet the expected demand.
• Market Saturation: Determine whether the market is saturated with similar offerings and how this might affect your project.
• Demand Forecasting: Use historical data and market trends to make informed projections about future demand.
• Scalability: Consider the scalability of your project to meet increased demand or potential fluctuations.

A comprehensive market feasibility study will give you valuable insights into your potential customer base, market dynamics, and competitive landscape. This information will be pivotal in shaping your project's direction and strategy.

How to Conduct a Technical Feasibility Study?

The technical feasibility study assesses the practicality of implementing your project from a technical standpoint. It involves evaluating the project's design, technical requirements, technological feasibility, resource availability, and risk analysis. Let's delve into each aspect in more detail.

1. Project Design and Technical Requirements

The project design and technical requirements are the foundation of your technical feasibility study. This phase involves defining the technical specifications and infrastructure needed to execute your project successfully.

• Technical Specifications: Clearly define the technical specifications of your project, including hardware, software, and any specialized equipment.
• Infrastructure Planning: Determine the physical infrastructure requirements, such as facilities, utilities, and transportation logistics.
• Development Workflow: Outline the workflow and processes required to design, develop, and implement the project.
• Prototyping: Consider creating prototypes or proof-of-concept models to test and validate the technical aspects of your project.

2. Technology Assessment

A critical aspect of the technical feasibility study is assessing the technology required for your project and ensuring it aligns with your goals.

• Technology Suitability: Evaluate the suitability of the chosen technology for your project. Is it the right fit, or are there better alternatives?
• Scalability and Compatibility: Assess whether the chosen technology can scale as your project grows and whether it is compatible with existing systems or software.
• Security Measures: Consider cybersecurity and data protection measures to safeguard sensitive information.
• Technical Expertise: Ensure your team or external partners possess the technical expertise to implement and maintain the technology.

3. Resource Evaluation

Resource evaluation involves assessing the availability of the essential resources required to execute your project successfully. These resources include personnel, materials, and suppliers.

• Human Resources: Evaluate whether you have access to skilled personnel or if additional hiring or training is necessary.
• Material Resources: Identify the materials and supplies needed for your project and assess their availability and costs.
• Supplier Relationships: Establish relationships with reliable suppliers and consistently assess their ability to meet your resource requirements.

4. Risk Analysis

Risk analysis is a critical component of the technical feasibility study, as it helps you anticipate and mitigate potential technical challenges and setbacks.

• Identify Risks: Identify potential technical risks, such as hardware or software failures, technical skill gaps, or unforeseen technical obstacles.
• Risk Mitigation Strategies: Develop strategies to mitigate identified risks, including contingency plans and resource allocation for risk management.
• Cost Estimation for Risk Mitigation: Assess the potential costs associated with managing technical risks and incorporate them into your project budget.

By conducting a thorough technical feasibility study, you can ensure that your project is technically viable and well-prepared to overcome technical challenges. This assessment will also guide decision-making regarding technology choices, resource allocation, and risk management strategies.

How to Conduct a Financial Feasibility Study?

The financial feasibility study is a critical aspect of your overall feasibility analysis. It focuses on assessing the financial viability of your project by estimating costs, projecting revenue, conducting investment analysis, and evaluating the overall financial health of your project. Let's delve into each aspect in more detail.

1. Cost Estimation

Cost estimation is the process of calculating the expenses associated with planning, developing, and implementing your project. This involves identifying both initial and ongoing costs.

• Initial Costs: Calculate the upfront expenses required to initiate the project, including capital expenditures, equipment purchases, and any development costs.
• Operational Costs: Estimate the ongoing operating expenses, such as salaries, utilities, rent, marketing, and maintenance.
• Contingency Funds: Allocate funds for unexpected expenses or contingencies to account for unforeseen challenges.
• Depreciation: Consider the depreciation of assets over time, as it impacts your financial statements.

2. Revenue Projections

Revenue projections involve forecasting the income your project is expected to generate over a specific period. Accurate revenue projections are crucial for assessing the project's financial viability.

• Sales Forecasts: Estimate your product or service sales based on market demand, pricing strategies, and potential growth.
• Pricing Strategy: Determine your pricing strategy, considering factors like competition, market conditions, and customer willingness to pay.
• Market Penetration: Analyze how quickly you can capture market share and increase sales over time.
• Seasonal Variations: Account for any seasonal fluctuations in revenue that may impact your cash flow.

3. Investment Analysis

Investment analysis involves evaluating the potential return on investment (ROI) and assessing the attractiveness of your project to potential investors or stakeholders.

• Return on Investment (ROI): Calculate the expected ROI by comparing the project's net gains against the initial investment.
• Payback Period: Determine how long it will take for the project to generate sufficient revenue to cover its initial costs.
• Risk Assessment: Consider the level of risk associated with the project and whether it aligns with investors' risk tolerance.
• Sensitivity Analysis: Perform sensitivity analysis to understand how changes in key variables, such as sales or costs, affect the investment's profitability.

4. Financial Viability Assessment

A financial viability assessment evaluates the project's ability to sustain itself financially in the long term. It considers factors such as profitability, cash flow, and financial stability.

• Profitability Analysis: Assess whether the project is expected to generate profits over its lifespan.
• Cash Flow Management: Analyze the project's cash flow to ensure it can cover operating expenses, debt payments, and other financial obligations.
• Break-Even Analysis: Determine the point at which the project's revenue covers all costs, resulting in neither profit nor loss.
• Financial Ratios: Calculate key financial ratios, such as debt-to-equity ratio and return on equity, to evaluate the project's financial health.

By conducting a comprehensive financial feasibility study, you can gain a clear understanding of the project's financial prospects and make informed decisions regarding its viability and potential for success.

How to Conduct an Operational Feasibility Study?

The operational feasibility study assesses whether your project can be implemented effectively within your organization's operational framework. It involves evaluating processes, resource planning, scalability, and analyzing potential operational risks.

1. Process and Workflow Assessment

The process and workflow assessment examines how the project integrates with existing processes and workflows within your organization.

• Process Mapping: Map out current processes and workflows to identify areas of integration and potential bottlenecks.
• Workflow Efficiency: Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of existing workflows and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Change Management: Consider the project's impact on employees and plan for change management strategies to ensure a smooth transition.

2. Resource Planning

Resource planning involves determining the human, physical, and technological resources needed to execute the project successfully.

• Human Resources: Assess the availability of skilled personnel and consider whether additional hiring or training is necessary.
• Physical Resources: Identify the physical infrastructure, equipment, and materials required for the project.
• Technology and Tools: Ensure that the necessary technology and tools are available and up to date to support project implementation.

3. Scalability Evaluation

Scalability evaluation assesses whether the project can adapt and expand to meet changing demands and growth opportunities.

• Scalability Factors: Identify factors impacting scalability, such as market growth, customer demand, and technological advancements.
• Capacity Planning: Plan for the scalability of resources, including personnel, infrastructure, and technology.
• Growth Strategies: Develop strategies for scaling the project, such as geographic expansion, product diversification, or increasing production capacity.

4. Operational Risk Analysis

Operational risk analysis involves identifying potential operational challenges and developing mitigation strategies.

• Risk Identification: Identify operational risks that could disrupt project implementation or ongoing operations.
• Risk Mitigation: Develop risk mitigation plans and contingency strategies to address potential challenges.
• Testing and Simulation: Consider conducting simulations or testing to evaluate how the project performs under various operational scenarios.
• Monitoring and Adaptation: Implement monitoring and feedback mechanisms to detect and address operational issues as they arise.

Conducting a thorough operational feasibility study ensures that your project aligns with your organization's capabilities, processes, and resources. This assessment will help you plan for a successful implementation and minimize operational disruptions.

How to Write a Feasibility Study?

The feasibility study report is the culmination of your feasibility analysis. It provides a structured and comprehensive document outlining your study's findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Let's explore the key components of the feasibility study report.

1. Structure and Components

The structure of your feasibility study report should be well-organized and easy to navigate. It typically includes the following components:

• Executive Summary: A concise summary of the study's key findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Introduction: An overview of the project, the objectives of the study, and a brief outline of what the report covers.
• Methodology: A description of the research methods , data sources, and analytical techniques used in the study.
• Market Feasibility Study: Detailed information on market research, target audience, competitive analysis, and demand-supply assessment.
• Technical Feasibility Study: Insights into project design, technical requirements, technology assessment, resource evaluation, and risk analysis.
• Financial Feasibility Study: Comprehensive information on cost estimation, revenue projections, investment analysis, and financial viability assessment.
• Operational Feasibility Study: Details on process and workflow assessment, resource planning, scalability evaluation, and operational risks analysis.
• Conclusion: A summary of key findings and conclusions drawn from the study.

Recommendations: Clear and actionable recommendations based on the study's findings.

2. Write the Feasibility Study Report

When writing the feasibility study report, it's essential to maintain clarity, conciseness, and objectivity. Use clear language and provide sufficient detail to support your conclusions and recommendations.

• Be Objective: Present findings and conclusions impartially, based on data and analysis.
• Use Visuals: Incorporate charts, graphs, and tables to illustrate key points and make the report more accessible.
• Cite Sources: Properly cite all data sources and references used in the study.
• Include Appendices: Attach any supplementary information, data, or documents in appendices for reference.

3. Present Findings and Recommendations

When presenting your findings and recommendations, consider your target audience. Tailor your presentation to the needs and interests of stakeholders, whether they are investors, executives, or decision-makers.

• Highlight Key Takeaways: Summarize the most critical findings and recommendations upfront.
• Use Visual Aids: Create a visually engaging presentation with slides, charts, and infographics.
• Address Questions: Be prepared to answer questions and provide additional context during the presentation.
• Provide Supporting Data: Back up your findings and recommendations with data from the feasibility study.

4. Review and Validation

Before finalizing the feasibility study report, conducting a thorough review and validation process is crucial. This ensures the accuracy and credibility of the report.

• Peer Review: Have colleagues or subject matter experts review the report for accuracy and completeness.
• Data Validation: Double-check data sources and calculations to ensure they are accurate.
• Cross-Functional Review: Involve team members from different disciplines to provide diverse perspectives.
• Stakeholder Input: Seek input from key stakeholders to validate findings and recommendations.

By following a structured approach to creating your feasibility study report, you can effectively communicate the results of your analysis, support informed decision-making, and increase the likelihood of project success.

Feasibility Study Examples

Let's dive into some real-world examples to truly grasp the concept and application of feasibility studies. These examples will illustrate how various types of projects and businesses undergo the feasibility assessment process to ensure their viability and success.

Example 1: Local Restaurant

Imagine you're passionate about opening a new restaurant in a bustling urban area. Before investing significant capital, you'd want to conduct a thorough feasibility study. Here's how it might unfold:

• Market Feasibility: You research the local dining scene, identify target demographics, and assess the demand for your cuisine. Market surveys reveal potential competitors, dining preferences, and pricing expectations.
• Technical Feasibility: You design the restaurant layout, plan the kitchen setup, and assess the technical requirements for equipment and facilities. You consider factors like kitchen efficiency, safety regulations, and adherence to health codes.
• Financial Feasibility: You estimate the initial costs for leasing or purchasing a space, kitchen equipment, staff hiring, and marketing. Revenue projections are based on expected foot traffic, menu pricing, and seasonal variations.
• Operational Feasibility: You create kitchen and service operations workflow diagrams, considering staff roles and responsibilities. Resource planning includes hiring chefs, waitstaff, and kitchen personnel. Scalability is evaluated for potential expansion or franchising.
• Risk Analysis: Potential operational risks are identified, such as food safety concerns, labor shortages, or location-specific challenges. Risk mitigation strategies involve staff training, quality control measures, and contingency plans for unexpected events.

Example 2: Software Development Project

Now, let's explore the feasibility study process for a software development project, such as building a mobile app:

• Market Feasibility: You analyze the mobile app market, identify your target audience, and assess the demand for a solution in a specific niche. You gather user feedback and conduct competitor analysis to understand the competitive landscape.
• Technical Feasibility: You define the technical requirements for the app, considering platforms (iOS, Android), development tools, and potential integrations with third-party services. You evaluate the feasibility of implementing specific features.
• Financial Feasibility: You estimate the development costs, including hiring developers, designers, and ongoing maintenance expenses. Revenue projections are based on app pricing, potential in-app purchases, and advertising revenue.
• Operational Feasibility: You map out the development workflow, detailing the phases from concept to deployment. Resource planning includes hiring developers with the necessary skills, setting up development environments, and establishing a testing framework.
• Risk Analysis: Potential risks like scope creep, technical challenges, or market saturation are assessed. Mitigation strategies involve setting clear project milestones, conducting thorough testing, and having contingency plans for technical glitches.

These examples demonstrate the versatility of feasibility studies across diverse projects. Whatever type of venture or endeavor you want to embark on, a well-structured feasibility study guides you toward informed decisions and increased project success.

Conclusion for Feasibility Studies

In conclusion, conducting a feasibility study is a crucial step in your project's journey. It helps you assess the viability and potential risks, providing a solid foundation for informed decision-making. Remember, a well-executed feasibility study not only enables you to identify challenges but also uncovers opportunities that can lead to your project's success.

By thoroughly examining market trends, technical requirements, financial aspects, and operational considerations, you are better prepared to embark on your project confidently. With this guide, you've gained the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the intricate terrain of feasibility studies.

How to Conduct a Feasibility Study in Minutes?

Speed and precision are paramount for feasibility studies, and Appinio delivers just that. As a real-time market research platform, Appinio empowers you to seamlessly conduct your market research in a matter of minutes, putting actionable insights at your fingertips.

Here's why Appinio stands out as the go-to tool for feasibility studies:

• Rapid Insights: Appinio's intuitive platform ensures that anyone, regardless of their research background, can effortlessly navigate and conduct research, saving valuable time and resources.
• Lightning-Fast Responses: With an average field time of under 23 minutes for 1,000 respondents, Appinio ensures that you get the answers you need when you need them, making it ideal for time-sensitive feasibility studies.
• Global Reach: Appinio's extensive reach spans over 90 countries, allowing you to define the perfect target group from a pool of 1,200+ characteristics and gather insights from diverse markets.

Get free access to the platform!

Join the loop 💌

Be the first to hear about new updates, product news, and data insights. We'll send it all straight to your inbox.

Get the latest market research news straight to your inbox! 💌

Wait, there's more

19.09.2024 | 9min read

Track Your Customer Retention & Brand Metrics for Post-Holiday Success

16.09.2024 | 10min read

Creative Checkup – Optimize Advertising Slogans & Creatives for ROI

03.09.2024 | 10min read

Get your brand Holiday Ready: 4 Essential Steps to Smash your Q4

Advisory boards aren’t only for executives. Join the LogRocket Content Advisory Board today →

• Product Management
• Solve User-Reported Issues
• Find Issues Faster
• Optimize Conversion and Adoption

How to conduct a feasibility study: Template and examples

Editor’s note : This article was last updated on 27 August 2024 to bolster the step-by-step guide with more detailed instructions, more robust examples, and a downloadable, customizable template.

Opportunities are everywhere. Some opportunities are small and don’t require many resources. Others are massive and need further analysis and evaluation.

One of your key responsibilities as a product manager is to evaluate the potential success of those opportunities before investing significant money, time, and resources. A feasibility study, also known as a feasibility assessment or feasibility analysis, is a critical tool that can help product managers determine whether a product idea or opportunity is viable, feasible, and profitable.

So, what is a feasibility analysis? Why should product managers use it? And how do you conduct one?

Click here to download our customizable feasibility study template .

What is a feasibility study?

A feasibility study is a systematic analysis and evaluation of a product opportunity’s potential to succeed. It aims to determine whether a proposed opportunity is financially and technically viable, operationally feasible, and commercially profitable.

A feasibility study typically includes an assessment of a wide range of factors, including the technical requirements of the product, resources needed to develop and launch the product, the potential market gap and demand, the competitive landscape, and economic and financial viability. These factors can be broken down into different types of feasibility studies:

• Technical feasibility — Evaluates the technical resources and expertise needed to develop the product and identifies any technical challenges that could arise
• Financial feasibility — Analyzes the costs involved, potential revenue, and overall financial viability of the opportunity
• Market feasibility — Assesses the demand for the product, market trends, target audience, and competitive landscape
• Operational feasibility — Looks at the organizational structure, logistics, and day-to-day operations required to launch and sustain the product
• Legal feasibility — Examines any legal considerations, including regulations, patents, and compliance requirements that could affect the opportunity

Based on the analysis’s findings, the product manager and their product team can decide whether to proceed with the product opportunity, modify its scope, or pursue another opportunity and solve a different problem.

Conducting a feasibility study helps PMs ensure that resources are invested in opportunities that have a high likelihood of success and align with the overall objectives and goals of the product strategy .

What are feasibility analyses used for?

Feasibility studies are particularly useful when introducing entirely new products or verticals. Product managers can use the results of a feasibility study to:

• Assess the technical feasibility of a product opportunity — Evaluate whether the proposed product idea or opportunity can be developed with the available technology, tools, resources, and expertise
• Determine a project’s financial viability — By analyzing the costs of development, manufacturing, and distribution, a feasibility study helps you determine whether your product is financially viable and can generate a positive return on investment (ROI)
• Evaluate customer demand and the competitive landscape — Assessing the potential market size, target audience, and competitive landscape for the product opportunity can inform decisions about the overall product positioning, marketing strategies, and pricing
• Identify potential risks and challenges — Identify potential obstacles or challenges that could impact the success of the identified opportunity, such as regulatory hurdles, operational and legal issues, and technical limitations
• Refine the product concept — The insights gained from a feasibility study can help you refine the product’s concept, make necessary modifications to the scope, and ultimately create a better product that is more likely to succeed in the market and meet users’ expectations

How to conduct a feasibility study

The activities involved in conducting a feasibility study differ from one organization to another. Also, the threshold, expectations, and deliverables change from role to role. However, a general set of guidelines can help you get started.

Here are some basic steps to conduct and report a feasibility study for major product opportunities or features:

1. Clearly define the opportunity

Imagine your user base is facing a significant problem that your product doesn’t solve. This is an opportunity. Define the opportunity clearly, support it with data, talk to your stakeholders to understand the opportunity space, and use it to define the objective.

2. Define the objective and scope

Each opportunity should be coupled with a business objective and should align with your product strategy.

Determine and clearly communicate the business goals and objectives of the opportunity. Align those objectives with company leaders to make sure everyone is on the same page. Lastly, define the scope of what you plan to build.

3. Conduct market and user research

Now that you have everyone on the same page and the objective and scope of the opportunity clearly defined, gather data and insights on the target market.

Include elements like the total addressable market (TAM) , growth potential, competitors’ insights, and deep insight into users’ problems and preferences collected through techniques like interviews, surveys, observation studies, contextual inquiries, and focus groups.

4. Analyze technical feasibility

Suppose your market and user research have validated the problem you are trying to solve. The next step should be to, alongside your engineers, assess the technical resources and expertise needed to launch the product to the market.

Over 200k developers and product managers use LogRocket to create better digital experiences

Dig deeper into the proposed solution and try to comprehend the technical limitations and estimated time required for the product to be in your users’ hands. A detailed assessment might include:

• Technical requirements — What technology stack is needed? Does your team have the necessary expertise? Are there any integration challenges?
• Development timeline — How long will it take to develop the solution? What are the critical milestones?
• Resource allocation — What resources (hardware, software, personnel) are required? Can existing resources be repurposed?

5. Assess financial viability

If your company has a product pricing team, work closely with them to determine the willingness to pay (WTP) and devise a monetization strategy for the new feature.

Conduct a comprehensive financial analysis, including the total cost of development, revenue streams, and the expected return on investment (ROI) based on the agreed-upon monetization strategy. Key elements to include:

• Cost analysis — Breakdown of development, production, and operational costs
• Revenue projections — Estimated revenue from different pricing models
• ROI calculation — Expected return on investment and payback period

6. Evaluate potential risks

Now that you have almost a complete picture, identify the risks associated with building and launching the opportunity. Risks may include things like regulatory hurdles, technical limitations, and any operational risks.

A thorough risk assessment should cover:

• Technical risks — Potential issues with technology, integration, or scalability.
• Market risks — Changes in market conditions, customer preferences, or competitive landscape.
• Operational risks — Challenges in logistics, staffing, or supply chain management.
• Regulatory risks — Legal or compliance issues that could affect the product’s launch. For more on regulatory risks, check out this Investopedia article .

7. Decide, prepare, and share

Based on the steps above, you should end up with a comprehensive report that helps you decide whether to pursue the opportunity, modify its scope, or explore alternative options. Here’s what you should do next:

• Prepare your report — Compile all your findings, including the feasibility analysis, market research, technical assessment, financial viability, and risk analysis into a detailed report. This document should provide a clear recommendation on whether to move forward with the project
• Create an executive summary — Summarize the key findings and recommendations in a concise executive summary , tailored for stakeholders such as the C-suite. The executive summary should capture the essence of your report, focusing on the most critical points
• Present to stakeholders — Share your report with stakeholders, ensuring you’re prepared to discuss the analysis and defend your recommendations. Make sure to involve key stakeholders early in the process to build buy-in and address any concerns they may have
• Prepare for next steps — Depending on the decision, be ready to either proceed with the project, implement modifications, or pivot to another opportunity. Outline the action plan, resource requirements, and timeline for the next phase

Feasibility study template

The following feasibility study report template is designed to help you evaluate the feasibility of a product opportunity and provide a comprehensive report to inform decision-making and guide the development process.

Note: You can customize this template to fit your specific needs. Click here to download and customize this feasibility study report template .

Feasibility study example

Imagine you’re a product manager at a company that specializes in project management tools. Your team has identified a potential opportunity to expand the product offering by developing a new AI-powered feature that can automatically prioritize tasks for users based on their deadlines, workload, and importance.

A feasibility study can help you assess the viability of this opportunity. Here’s how you might approach it according to the template above:

• Opportunity description — The opportunity lies in creating an AI-powered feature that automatically prioritizes tasks based on user-defined parameters such as deadlines, workload, and task importance. This feature is expected to enhance user productivity by helping teams focus on high-priority tasks and ensuring timely project completion
• Problem statement — Many users of project management tools struggle with managing and prioritizing tasks effectively, leading to missed deadlines and project delays. Current solutions often require manual input or lack sophisticated algorithms to adjust priorities dynamically. The proposed AI-powered feature aims to solve this problem by automating the prioritization process, thereby reducing manual effort and improving overall project efficiency
• Business objective — The primary objective is to increase user engagement and satisfaction by offering a feature that addresses a common pain point. The feature is also intended to increase customer retention by providing added value and driving user adoption
• Scope — The scope includes the development of an AI algorithm capable of analyzing task parameters (e.g., deadlines, workload) and dynamically prioritizing tasks. The feature will be integrated into the existing project management tool interface, with minimal disruption to current users. Additionally, the scope covers user training and support for the new feature

Market analysis:

• Total addressable market (TAM)  — The TAM for this feature includes all users who actively manage projects and could benefit from enhanced task prioritization
• Competitor analysis — Competitor products such as Asana and Trello offer basic task prioritization features, but none use advanced AI algorithms. This presents a unique opportunity to differentiate this product by offering a more sophisticated solution
• User pain points — Surveys and interviews with current users reveal that 65 percent struggle with manual task prioritization, leading to inefficiencies and missed deadlines. Users expressed a strong interest in an automated solution that could save time and improve project outcomes

Technical requirements:

• AI algorithm development — The core of the feature is an AI algorithm that can analyze multiple factors to prioritize tasks. This requires expertise in machine learning, data processing, and AI integration
• Integration with existing infrastructure — The feature must seamlessly integrate with the existing architecture without causing significant disruptions. This includes data compatibility, API development, and UI/UX considerations
• Data handling and privacy — The feature will process sensitive project data, so robust data privacy and security measures must be implemented to comply with regulations like GDPR

Development timeline:

• Phase 1 (3 months) — Research and development of the AI algorithm, including training with sample datasets
• Phase 2 (2 months) — Integration with the platform, including UI/UX design adjustments
• Phase 3 (1 month) — Testing, quality assurance, and bug fixing
• Phase 4 (1 month) — User training materials and documentation preparation

Resource allocation:

• Development team  — Two AI specialists, three backend developers, two frontend developers, one project manager
• Hardware/software  — Additional cloud computing resources for AI processing, development tools for machine learning, testing environments

Cost analysis:

• Development costs — Estimated at $300,000, including salaries, cloud computing resources, and software licenses
• Marketing and launch costs  — $50,000 for promotional activities, user onboarding, and initial support
• Operational costs  — $20,000/year for maintenance, AI model updates, and ongoing support

Revenue projections:

• Pricing model — The AI-powered feature will be offered as part of a premium subscription tier, with an additional monthly fee of $10/user
• User adoption — Based on user surveys, an estimated 25 percent of the current user base (10,000 users) is expected to upgrade to the premium tier within the first year
• Projected revenue — First-year revenue is projected at $1.2 million, with an expected growth rate of 10 percent annually

ROI calculation:

• Break-even point — The project is expected to break even within 6 months of launch
• Five-year ROI — The feature is projected to generate a 200% ROI over five years, driven by increased subscription fees and user retention

Technical risks:

• AI algorithm complexity — Developing an accurate and reliable AI algorithm is challenging and may require multiple iterations
• Integration issues — There is a risk that integrating the new feature could disrupt the existing platform, leading to user dissatisfaction

Market risks:

• User adoption — There’s a risk that users may not perceive sufficient value in the AI feature to justify the additional cost, leading to lower-than-expected adoption rates

Operational risks:

• Support and maintenance — Maintaining the AI feature requires continuous updates and monitoring, which could strain the development and support teams

Regulatory risks:

• Data privacy compliance — Handling sensitive project data requires strict adherence to data privacy regulations. Noncompliance could lead to legal challenges and damage to the company’s reputation
• Decision — Based on the comprehensive analysis, the recommendation is to proceed with the development and launch of the AI-powered task prioritization feature. The potential for increased user engagement, differentiation from competitors, and positive ROI justifies the investment
• Prepare the report — A detailed report will be compiled, including all findings from the feasibility study, cost-benefit analysis, and risk assessments. This report will be presented to key stakeholders for approval
• Create an executive summary — A concise executive summary will be prepared for the C-suite, highlighting the key benefits, expected ROI, and strategic alignment with the company’s goals
• Next steps — Upon approval, the project will move into the development phase, following the timeline and resource allocation outlined in the study. Continuous monitoring and iterative improvements will be made based on user feedback and performance metrics

8. Executive summary

This feasibility study evaluates the potential for developing and launching an AI-powered task prioritization feature within our project management tool. The feature is intended to automatically prioritize tasks based on deadlines, workload, and task importance, thus improving user productivity and project efficiency. The study concludes that the feature is both technically and financially viable, with a projected ROI of 200 percent over five years. The recommendation is to proceed with development, as the feature offers a significant opportunity for product differentiation and user satisfaction.

Mock feasibility study report

Now let’s see what a feasibility study report based on the above example scenario would look like ( download an example here ):

Introduction

The purpose of this feasibility study is to assess the viability of introducing an AI-powered task prioritization feature into our existing project management software. This feature aims to address the common user challenge of manually prioritizing tasks, which often leads to inefficiencies and missed deadlines. By automating this process, we expect to enhance user productivity, increase customer retention, and differentiate our product in a competitive market.

Market and user research

The total addressable market (TAM) for this AI-powered task prioritization feature includes all current and potential users of project management tools who manage tasks and projects regularly. Based on market analysis, the current user base primarily consists of mid-sized enterprises and large organizations, where task management is a critical component of daily operations.

• Competitor analysis  — Key competitors in the project management space, such as Asana and Trello, offer basic task prioritization features. However, these solutions lack advanced AI capabilities that dynamically adjust task priorities based on real-time data. This gap in the market presents an opportunity for us to differentiate our product by offering a more sophisticated, AI-driven solution
• User pain points — Surveys and interviews conducted with our current user base reveal that 65 percent of users experience challenges with manual task prioritization. Common issues include difficulty in maintaining focus on high-priority tasks, inefficient use of time, and the tendency to miss deadlines due to poor task management. Users expressed a strong interest in an automated solution that could alleviate these challenges, indicating a high demand for the proposed feature

Technical feasibility

• AI algorithm development — The core component of the feature is an AI algorithm capable of analyzing multiple task parameters, such as deadlines, workload, and task importance. The development of this algorithm requires expertise in machine learning, particularly in natural language processing (NLP) and predictive analytics. Additionally, data processing capabilities will need to be enhanced to handle the increased load from real-time task prioritization
• Integration with existing infrastructure — The AI-powered feature must be integrated into our existing project management tool with minimal disruption. This includes ensuring compatibility with current data formats, APIs, and the user interface. The integration will also require modifications to the UI/UX to accommodate the new functionality while maintaining ease of use for existing features
• Data handling and privacy — The feature will process sensitive project data, making robust data privacy and security measures critical. Compliance with regulations such as GDPR is mandatory, and the data flow must be encrypted end-to-end to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, user consent will be required for data processing related to the AI feature
• Phase 1 (3 months) — Research and development of the AI algorithm, including dataset acquisition, model training, and initial testing
• Phase 2 (2 months) — Integration with the existing platform, focusing on backend development and UI/UX adjustments
• Phase 3 (1 month) — Extensive testing, quality assurance, and bug fixing to ensure stability and performance
• Phase 4 (1 month) — Development of user training materials, documentation, and preparation for the product launch

Financial analysis

• Development costs — Estimated at $300,000, covering salaries, cloud computing resources, machine learning tools, and necessary software licenses
• Marketing and launch costs — $50,000 allocated for promotional campaigns, user onboarding programs, and initial customer support post-launch
• Operational costs — $20,000 annually for ongoing maintenance, AI model updates, and customer support services
• Pricing model — The AI-powered task prioritization feature will be included in a premium subscription tier, with an additional monthly fee of $10 per user
• User adoption — Market research suggests that approximately 25% of the current user base (estimated at 10,000 users) is likely to upgrade to the premium tier within the first year
• Projected revenue — First-year revenue is estimated at $1.2 million, with an anticipated annual growth rate of 10% as more users adopt the feature
• Break-even point — The project is expected to reach its break-even point within 6 months of the feature’s launch
• Five-year ROI — Over a five-year period, the feature is projected to generate a return on investment (ROI) of 200 percent, driven by steady subscription revenue and enhanced user retention

Risk assessment

• AI algorithm complexity — Developing a sophisticated AI algorithm poses significant technical challenges, including the risk of inaccuracies in task prioritization. Multiple iterations and extensive testing will be required to refine the algorithm
• Integration issues — Integrating the new feature into the existing platform could potentially cause compatibility issues, resulting in performance degradation or user dissatisfaction
• User adoption — There is a possibility that users may not perceive enough value in the AI-powered feature to justify the additional cost, leading to lower-than-expected adoption rates and revenue
• Support and maintenance — The ongoing support and maintenance required for the AI feature, including regular updates and monitoring, could place a significant burden on the development and customer support teams, potentially leading to resource constraints
• Data privacy compliance — Handling sensitive user data for AI processing necessitates strict adherence to data privacy regulations such as GDPR. Failure to comply could result in legal repercussions and damage to the company’s reputation

Conclusion and recommendations

The feasibility study demonstrates that the proposed AI-powered task prioritization feature is both technically and financially viable. The feature addresses a significant user pain point and has the potential to differentiate the product in a competitive market. With an estimated ROI of 200 percent over five years and strong user interest, it is recommended that the project move forward into the development phase.

Next steps include finalizing the development plan, securing approval from key stakeholders, and initiating the development process according to the outlined timeline and resource allocation. Continuous monitoring and iterative improvements will be essential to ensure the feature meets user expectations and achieves the projected financial outcomes.

Overcoming stakeholder management challenges

The ultimate challenge that faces most product managers when conducting a feasibility study is managing stakeholders .

Stakeholders may interfere with your analysis, jumping to conclusions that your proposed product or feature won’t work and deeming it a waste of resources. They may even try to prioritize your backlog for you.

Here are some tips to help you deal with even the most difficult stakeholders during a feasibility study:

• Use hard data to make your point — Never defend your opinion based on your assumptions. Always show them data and evidence based on your user research and market analysis
• Learn to say no — You are the voice of customers, and you know their issues and how to monetize them. Don’t be afraid to say no and defend your team’s work as a product manager
• Build stakeholder buy-in early on — Engage stakeholders from the beginning of the feasibility study process by involving them in discussions and seeking their input. This helps create a sense of ownership and ensures that their concerns and insights are considered throughout the study
• Provide regular updates and maintain transparency — Keep stakeholders informed about the progress of the feasibility study by providing regular updates and sharing key findings. This transparency can help build trust, foster collaboration, and prevent misunderstandings or misaligned expectations
• Leverage stakeholder expertise — Recognize and utilize the unique expertise and knowledge that stakeholders bring to the table. By involving them in specific aspects of the feasibility study where their skills and experience can add value, you can strengthen the study’s outcomes and foster a more collaborative working relationship

Final thoughts

A feasibility study is a critical tool to use right after you identify a significant opportunity. It helps you evaluate the potential success of the opportunity, analyze and identify potential challenges, gaps, and risks in the opportunity, and provides a data-driven approach in the market insights to make an informed decision.

By conducting a feasibility study, product teams can determine whether a product idea is profitable, viable, feasible, and thus worth investing resources into. It is a crucial step in the product development process and when considering investments in significant initiatives such as launching a completely new product or vertical.

For a more detailed approach and ready-to-use resources, consider using the feasibility study template provided in this post. If you’re dealing with challenging stakeholders, remember the importance of data-driven decisions, maintaining transparency, and leveraging the expertise of your team.

LogRocket generates product insights that lead to meaningful action

Get your teams on the same page — try LogRocket today.

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• #product strategy

Stop guessing about your digital experience with LogRocket

Recent posts:.

A guide to feature sunset and product decommissioning

Sunsetting a product and product decommissioning are complex processes that require strategic planning and effective communication.

Leader Spotlight: How leadership changes with scale, with Kelly O’Connell

Kelly O’Connell, Chief Product Officer at ActiveCampaign, talks about how leadership, structure, and culture change as a company scales.

Why doing things that don’t scale is essential for early product success

Making product decisions that don’t scale may sound counterintuitive, but it can be essential for the long-term success of your product

Leader Spotlight: Leveraging the co-creation model, with Felix Del Rosario

Felix Del Resoario discusses how he leverages the co-creation model to tailor opportunities to individuals’ career paths on his team.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

• Search Search Please fill out this field.
• Building Your Business
• Operations & Success

What Is a Marketing Feasibility Study?

How to write a market feasibility study, how to identify potential customers, clients, and contract sources, how a market feasibility study differs from a marketing plan, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Hero Images / Getty Images

Market feasibility studies are documents that help businesses assess their likelihood of success. These studies include an analysis of the industry, competitors, and more.

Key Takeaways

• A market feasibility study helps businesses set expectations and plans.
• A good market feasibility study assesses the market environment while also identifying potential customers and other sources of revenue.
• Unlike marketing plans, which aim to make your business look as good as possible, market feasibility studies should be an objective assessment.

Market feasibility studies should include a description of the industry, current market analysis, competition, anticipated future market potential, potential sources of revenue, and sales projections.

Industry Description

Give a brief description (one or two paragraphs) of the industry your business is in, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Determining your industry is essential for receiving government contracts,  attracting investors , and for receiving grants if you form a nonprofit.

For example, Fictitious Business Example (FBE) is being established to produce and provide quality industrial first aid kits to the U.S. Government and both private and public companies to improve worker safety on the job. FBE's services are classified under the U.S. Department of Labor Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) as SIC Code 5047 and classified as being in the "Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies" industry. Your company's SIC can be found on OSHA's SIC search tool .

Current Market Analysis

This section of a market feasibility study describes the current market for your product or service. If you are offering something so unique that there are few market statistics, you can either use related industry information or conduct your own independent study. Several ways to conduct your research for new ideas include polling internet forums, sending out questionnaires addressed to targeted consumer groups or the general population, and even customer surveys.

Any solid evidence you have that there is a demand (or market) for your product or services will help you sell your idea. It is particularly important if you are marketing something unique or within a small, specialized market.

You need to show that your ideas are novel because you have found a niche and not because there is no existing market for the idea.

A good source for finding out what is selling (and what is not) is the Department of Labor. Industries showing employee growth is often a good indicator of an industry's overall stability, and massive layoffs indicate fewer business opportunities. Where there is a demand for something, there should be correlating employment growth, the number of new companies being formed, or in the industry's overall combined revenue.

Competition

If you are planning only to serve a local market, start by identifying every competitor within a 50-mile radius. List each competitor by location and distance from you, as well as their distances from each other. You should closely examine all competing businesses that are within 15 miles of your location. Consider their locations, business hours, and how long they have been in business. These things can help you determine how hard it will be to establish a similar business in the same geographic area.

You should also make a note of any similar businesses in your area that have recently gone out of business. There may be a reason such as poor location, high taxes, operating restrictions, or not enough demand for the product or service in that area to sustain a business. Researching local competitor information can tell you two things: what works now and what has not worked for other businesses.

If you are planning to sell your products or services on a larger scale through franchise development or internet sales, you need to look beyond the local competition. To find smaller competition, use a search engine to find businesses by keywords related to your industry. The return will show you companies selling similar products that are ranking high in search engine results and possibly getting more business.

Visit their websites to see what they are selling and what they are not selling.

If you are not sure what keywords relate to your industry, use free, online keyword search tools to help you know what most people are searching for in your related field.

Anticipated Future Market Potential

This section should include a narrative description, as well as attached spreadsheets, graphs, or tables showing trends, statistics, or projections. There are no surefire ways to tell if an industry will have measurable growth in the future, but you can make logical and reasonable predictions based on trends, past growth, and the current markets.

It is critical in this section that your projections are fact-based as much as possible. Every business takes risks; the key is to minimize those risks by carefully studying already successful companies. Rather than targeting the entire industry, try to isolate similar businesses and study what they are doing, how they are doing it, and their financial track record.

Potential Sources of Revenue

You can obtain a lot of information by visiting company websites and looking over product lines. Look for discontinued products or services and high-priced items. Somewhere in between these two things are probably the most stable long-term items. Discontinued means consumers no longer demand the product, while high-priced items may indicate a fad.

Since big companies spend big bucks on market research, take advantage of their money spent and public information. For example, if you are trying to crack the pet market, look at PetSmart and Petco. Examine the new product lines or services they are offering; chances are good that they spent millions researching industry trends to develop new product ideas.

Look for press releases about businesses in your industry. Press releases are an advertisement, but they also often tell why a company is branching out, closing a division, or changing its product line. They have already done the research for you, so do not hesitate to take clues from other businesses.

Sales Projections

Sales projections can be a challenge for any new business owner because there is little or no track record to support how fast you will grow or what products or services will sell best. Sales projections should factor in how much time and money will be invested in the business and the markets you will be targeting.

For example, if you get your product in the door at Walmart or Target, your sales are more likely to grow faster than if you sell your product in local mom-and-pop stores.

That's why it is important that you write a market feasibility study first. Your market study will help you decide where to sell your product or services and what products and services are most likely to generate the most revenue. 

If you have an internet-based business, you should estimate the total traffic (number of visitors) to your website each month, project anticipated site traffic volume over time, use traffic projections to estimate the average number of sales per every 10,000 visits to your site, and calculate the average amount of each sale.

The more traffic you can drive to your site, the more opportunities you have for making a sale—and it helps to have good search engine optimization (SEO) skills. This is important for all internet businesses because, as your site becomes more popular, you can project an increase in sales. A good rule of thumb is to summarize sales projections in the content but attach a spreadsheet showing actual numbers based on sales projections.

This component of your small business market feasibility study should be descriptive. Your potential customers, clients, and contract sources should include a list of current customers, clients, and contracts, as well as possible new or renewed contracts. Make a note of any sales lead that may generate new customers or clients, a list of government contracting agencies—with a brief description of what type of contracts they solicit and how they pertain to your industry—and a list of market types you currently target or intend to target, such as senior citizens, working mothers, organizations, specialty retailers, etc.

Depending on the nature of your business, it may not be possible to associate specific amounts of revenue with a particular market, but you can at least try to estimate the percentage of total revenue expected from each source. For example, if you plan to sell products to five specialty stores, list each store you plan to sell to, and total overall revenue for the specialty stores, rather than an amount for each individual store.

Feasibility studies are done on ideas, campaigns, products, processes, and entire businesses, and they look at how things work, if they will work, and if there are potential problems. Feasibility studies are assessment tools, not just reports to try and sell your business to investors. They should consider both the pros and cons and analyze a variety of potential business scenarios.

A marketing plan maps out specific ideas, strategies, and campaigns based on feasibility study investigations, and is intended to be implemented. Think of market feasibility studies as a logistical study, and a marketing plan as a specific, planned course of action to take.

What is the importance of the market feasibility study?

Market feasibility studies give you a more realistic sense of whether or not your business can survive. Marketing efforts, pitch decks, and similar documents will always highlight your company's best potential. A market feasibility study helps you gauge your probability of success after reviewing all of the issues and competitors.

What are the main parts of a market feasibility study?

The main parts of a market feasibility study are the executive summary , the description of the product or service, the technology considerations, the product or service marketplace, the identification of a specific market, the marketing strategy, the organization structure, the schedule, and the final projections.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. " Industries at a Glance ."

Department of Labor. " Description for 5047: Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies ."

Department of Labor. " Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Manual ."

Bureau of Labor Statistics. " Employment Projections ."

Google. " Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Starter Guide ."

Iowa State University. " What Is a Feasibility Study? "

• Product overview
• All features
• Latest feature release
• App integrations
• project icon Project management
• Project views
• Custom fields
• Status updates
• goal icon Goals and reporting
• Reporting dashboards
• asana-intelligence icon Asana AI
• workflow icon Workflows and automation
• portfolio icon Resource management
• Capacity planning
• Time tracking
• my-task icon Admin and security
• Admin console
• Permissions
• list icon Personal
• premium icon Starter
• briefcase icon Advanced
• Goal management
• Organizational planning
• Project intake
• Resource planning
• Product launches
• View all use cases arrow-right icon

• Help Center
• Asana Academy
• Certifications
• Work management hub
• Customer stories
• Get support
• Developer support
• Customer Success
• Project plans
• Team goals & objectives
• Team continuity
• Meeting agenda
• View all templates arrow-right icon
• Project planning |
• How to conduct a feasibility study: Tem ...

How to conduct a feasibility study: Templates and examples

Conducting a feasibility study is an important step in successful project management. By evaluating the viability of a proposed project, a feasibility study helps you identify potential challenges and opportunities, ensuring you make informed decisions. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to conduct a feasibility study with practical templates and real-world examples, designed for project managers seeking to optimize their project planning process.

It can be exciting to run a large, complex project that has a huge potential impact on your organization. On the one hand, you’re driving real change. On the other hand, failure is intimidating. 

3 ways to transform your enterprise project management

Watch a live demo and Q&A session to help you streamline goal-setting, accelerate annual planning, and automate how teams intake strategic work.

What is a feasibility study? 

A feasibility study—sometimes called a feasibility analysis or feasibility report—is a way to evaluate whether or not a project plan could be successful. A feasibility study evaluates the practicality of your project plan in order to judge whether or not you’re able to move forward with the project. 

It does so by answering two questions: 

Does our team have the required tools or resources to complete this project? 

Will there be a high enough return on investment to make the project worth pursuing? 

Benefits of conducting a feasibility study

There are several key benefits to conducting a feasibility study before launching a new project:

Confirms market opportunities and the target market before investing significant resources

Identifies potential issues and risks early on

Provides in-depth data for better decision making on the proposed project's viability

Creates documentation on expected costs and benefits, including financial analysis

Obtains stakeholder buy-in by demonstrating due diligence

Feasibility studies are important for projects that represent significant investments for your business. Projects that also have a large potential impact on your presence in the market may also require a feasibility assessment. 

As the project manager , you may not be directly responsible for driving the feasibility study, but it’s important to know what these studies are. By understanding the different elements that go into a feasibility study, you can better support the team driving the feasibility study and ensure the best outcome for your project.

When should you conduct a feasibility analysis?

A feasibility study should be conducted after the project has been pitched but before any work has actually started. The study is part of the project planning process. In fact, it’s often done in conjunction with a SWOT analysis or project risk assessment , depending on the specific project. 

Feasibility studies help: 

Confirm market opportunities before committing to a project

Narrow your business alternatives

Create documentation about the benefits and disadvantages of your proposed initiative

Provide more information before making a go-or-no-go decision

You likely don’t need a feasibility study if:

You already know the project is feasible

You’ve run a similar project in the past

Your competitors are succeeding with a similar initiative in market

The project is small, straightforward, and has minimal long-term business impact

Your team ran a similar feasibility analysis within the past three years

One thing to keep in mind is that a feasibility study is not a project pitch. During a project pitch, you’re evaluating whether or not the project is a good idea for your company and whether the goals of the project are in line with your overall strategic plan. Typically, once you’ve established that the project is a good idea, you'll run a feasibility study to confirm that the project is possible with the tools and resources you have at your disposal. 

Types of feasibility studies

There are five main types of feasibility studies: technical feasibility, financial feasibility, market feasibility (or market fit), operational feasibility, and legal feasibility. Most comprehensive feasibility studies will include an assessment of all five of these areas.

Technical feasibility

A technical feasibility study reviews the technical resources available for your project. This study determines if you have the right equipment, enough equipment, and the right technical knowledge to complete your project objectives . For example, if your project plan proposes creating 50,000 products per month, but you can only produce 30,000 products per month in your factories, this project isn’t technically feasible. 

Financial feasibility

Financial feasibility describes whether or not your project is fiscally viable. A financial feasibility report includes a cost-benefit analysis of the project. It also forecasts an expected return on investment (ROI) and outlines any financial risks. The goal at the end of the financial feasibility study is to understand the economic benefits the project will drive. 

Market feasibility

The market feasibility study is an evaluation of how your team expects the project’s deliverables to perform in the market. This part of the report includes a market analysis, a market competition breakdown, and sales projections.

Operational feasibility

An operational feasibility study evaluates whether or not your organization is able to complete this project. This includes staffing requirements, organizational structure, and any applicable legal requirements. At the end of the operational feasibility study, your team will have a sense of whether or not you have the resources, skills, and competencies to complete this work. 

Legal feasibility

A legal feasibility analysis assesses whether the proposed project complies with all relevant legal requirements and regulations. This includes examining legal and regulatory barriers, necessary permits, licenses, or certifications, potential legal liabilities or risks, and intellectual property considerations. The legal feasibility study ensures that the project can be completed without running afoul of any laws or incurring undue legal exposure for the organization.

Feasibility assessment checklist

Most feasibility studies are structured in a similar way. These documents serve as an assessment of the practicality of a proposed business idea. Creating a clear feasibility study helps project stakeholders during the decision making process. 

The essential elements of a feasibility study are: 

An executive summary describing the project’s overall viability

A description of the product or service being developed during this project

Any technical considerations , including technology, equipment, or staffing

The market survey , including a study of the current market and the marketing strategy 

The operational feasibility study evaluates whether or not your team’s current organizational structure can support this initiative

The project timeline

Financial projections based on your financial feasibility report

6 steps to conduct a feasibility study

You likely won’t be conducting the feasibility study yourself, but you will probably be called on to provide insight and information. To conduct a feasibility study, hire a trained consultant or, if you have an in-house project management office (PMO) , ask if they take on this type of work. In general, here are the steps they’ll take to complete this work: 

1. Run a preliminary analysis

Creating a feasibility study is a time-intensive process. Before diving into the feasibility study, it’s important to evaluate the project for any obvious and insurmountable roadblocks. For example, if the project requires significantly more budget than your organization has available, you likely won’t be able to complete it. Similarly, if the project deliverables need to be live and in the market by a certain date but won’t be available for several months after that, the project likely isn’t feasible either. These types of large-scale obstacles make a feasibility study unnecessary because it’s clear the project is not viable.

2. Evaluate financial feasibility

Think of the financial feasibility study as the projected income statement for the project. This part of the feasibility study clarifies the expected project income and outlines what your organization needs to invest—in terms of time and money—in order to hit the project objectives. 

During the financial feasibility study, take into account whether or not the project will impact your business's cash flow. Depending on the complexity of the initiative, your internal PMO or external consultant may want to work with your financial team to run a cost-benefit analysis of the project. 

3. Run a market assessment

The market assessment, or market feasibility study, is a chance to identify the demand in the market. This study offers a sense of expected revenue for the project and any potential market risks you could run into. 

The market assessment, more than any other part of the feasibility study, is a chance to evaluate whether or not there’s an opportunity in the market. During this study, it’s critical to evaluate your competitor’s positions and analyze demographics to get a sense of how the project will go. 

4. Consider technical and operational feasibility

Even if the financials are looking good and the market is ready, this initiative may not be something your organization can support. To evaluate operational feasibility, consider any staffing or equipment requirements this project needs. What organizational resources—including time, money, and skills—are necessary in order for this project to succeed? 

Depending on the project, it may also be necessary to consider the legal impact of the initiative. For example, if the project involves developing a new patent for your product, you will need to involve your legal team and incorporate that requirement into the project plan.

5. Review project points of vulnerability

At this stage, your internal PMO team or external consultant have looked at all four elements of your feasibility study—financials, market analysis, technical feasibility, and operational feasibility. Before running their recommendations by you and your stakeholders, they will review and analyze the data for any inconsistencies. This includes ensuring the income statement is in line with your market analysis. Similarly, now that they’ve run a technical feasibility study, are any liabilities too big of a red flag? (If so, create a contingency plan !) 

Depending on the complexity of your project, there won’t always be a clear answer. A feasibility analysis doesn’t provide a black-and-white decision for a complex problem. Rather, it helps you come to the table with the right questions—and answers—so you can make the best decision for your project and for your team.

6. Propose a decision

The final step of the feasibility study is an executive summary touching on the main points and proposing a solution. 

Depending on the complexity and scope of the project, your internal PMO or external consultant may share the feasibility study with stakeholders or present it to the group in order to field any questions live. Either way, with the study in hand, your team now has the information you need to make an informed decision.

Feasibility study examples

To better understand the concepts behind feasibility assessments, here are two hypothetical examples demonstrating how these studies can be applied in real-world scenarios.

Example 1: New product development

A consumer goods company is considering launching a new product line. Before investing in new product development, they conduct a feasibility study to assess the proposed project.

The feasibility study includes:

Market research to gauge consumer interest, assess competitor offerings, and estimate potential market share for the target market.

Technological considerations, including R&D requirements, production processes, and any necessary patents or certifications.

In-depth financial analysis projects sales volumes, revenue, costs, and profitability over a multi-year period.

Evaluation of organizational readiness, including the skills of the current management team and staff to bring the new product to market.

Assessment of legal feasibility to ensure compliance with regulations and identify any potential liability issues.

The comprehensive feasibility study identifies a promising market opportunity for the new business venture. The company decides to proceed with the new project, using the feasibility report as a template for their business development process. The study helps secure funding from key decision-makers, setting this start-up product initiative up for success.

Example 2: Real estate development deal

A property developer is evaluating the feasibility of purchasing land for a new residential community. They commission a feasibility study to determine the viability of this real estate development project.

The feasibility assessment covers:

Detailed analysis of the local housing market, including demand drivers, comparable properties, pricing, and absorption rates.

Site planning to assess the property's capacity, constraints, and technological considerations.

In-depth review of legal feasibility, including zoning, permitting, environmental regulations, and other potential legal hurdles.

Financial analysis modeling various development scenarios and estimating returns on investment.

Creation of an opening day balance sheet projecting the assets, liabilities, and equity for the proposed project.

Sensitivity analysis to evaluate the impact of changes in key assumptions on the project's scope and profitability.

The feasibility study concludes that while the real estate start-up is viable, it carries significant risk. Based on these findings, the developer makes an informed decision to move forward, but with a revised project's scope and a phased approach to mitigate risk. The comprehensive feasibility analysis proves critical in guiding this major investment decision.

Which phase of the project management process involves feasibility studies?

Feasibility studies are a key part of the project initiation and planning phases. They are typically conducted after a project has been conceptualized but before significant resources are invested in detailed planning and execution.

The purpose of a feasibility assessment is to objectively evaluate the viability of a proposed project, considering factors such as technical feasibility, market demand, financial costs and benefits, legal requirements, and organizational readiness. By thoroughly assessing these aspects, a feasibility study helps project stakeholders make an informed go-or-no-go decision.

While feasibility studies are a critical tool in the early stages of project management, they differ from other planning documents like project charters, business cases, and business plans. Here's a closer look at these key differences:

Feasibility study vs. project charter

A project charter is a relatively informal document to pitch your project to stakeholders. Think of the charter as an elevator pitch for your project objectives, scope, and responsibilities. Typically, your project sponsor or executive stakeholders review the charter before ratifying the project. 

A feasibility study should be implemented after the project charter has been ratified. This isn’t a document to pitch whether or not the project is in line with your team’s goals—rather, it’s a way to ensure the project is something you and your team can accomplish.

Feasibility study vs. business case

A business case is a more formalized version of the project charter. While you’d typically create a project charter for small or straightforward initiatives, you should create a business case if you are pitching a large, complex initiative that will make a major impact on the business. This longer, more formal document will also include financial information and typically involve more senior stakeholders. 

After your business case is approved by relevant stakeholders, you'll run a feasibility study to make sure the work is doable. If you find it isn’t, you might return to your executive stakeholders and request more resources, tools, or time in order to ensure your business case is feasible.

Feasibility study vs. business plan

A business plan is a formal document outlining your organization’s goals. You typically write a business plan when founding your company or when your business is going through a significant shift. Your business plan informs a lot of other business decisions, including your three- to five-year strategic plan . 

As you implement your business and strategic plan, you’ll invest in individual projects. A feasibility study is a way to evaluate the practicality of any given individual project or initiative.

Achieve project success with Asana

Are you done with your feasibility study? You’re ready to run a project! Set your project up for success by tracking your progress with a work management tool like Asana. From the small stuff to the big picture, Asana organizes work so teams know what to do, why it matters, and how to get it done.

Related resources

7 steps to crafting a winning event proposal (with template)

How Asana drives impactful product launches in 3 steps

How to streamline compliance management software with Asana

New site openings: How to reduce costs and delays

What is a Market Feasibility Study?

Fahad Usmani, PMP

May 19, 2024

A market feasibility analysis is a part of a feasibility study that analyzes the market to determine whether there is sufficient demand for your product or service. It involves evaluating various factors (e.g., market size, growth potential, competition, target audience, and regulatory environment). 

By gathering and analyzing relevant data, businesses can make informed decisions about the feasibility of their proposed endeavor.

In a market feasibility study, you can ask the following questions:

• Who are my competitors?
• What is driving the demand?
• What is the supply chain for the intended product?
• How will you set the price for your product?
• What pricing model will you adopt?
• Will the model be flexible or rigid? 
• What are the effects of the exchange rate, inflation, demographics, population increase, and urban-rural migration on price forecast?
• Is the price dependent on an international benchmark (e.g., crude oil)?
• What is the market history?
• What is the market forecast?

Elements of Market Feasibility Analysis

A market feasibility study has the following key elements:

• Understanding the Requirements: Prepare the list of key stakeholders and group the clients. If the client is the general public, then group them to collect their requirements. This exercise will ensure that businesses understand the requirements and that they will get approval for their ideas because it already includes the stakeholders’ and clients’ concerns.
• Trend Analysis: Businesses must understand the market trend before launching any product or service. For example, if the market is saturated, then there is no point in launching a similar product or service, as it will only waste resources. This analysis can help businesses find gaps in requirements, market demographics, spending habits, consumption patterns, etc.
• Competitor Analysis: This is the key component of market feasibility analysis. If the business intends to penetrate an existing or saturated market, this analysis provides information to take the necessary actions. Businesses can identify the gaps between the competitor and their product and improve their offering.

Importance of Market Feasibility Studies

• Risk Management: Conducting a market feasibility study can help identify risks and challenges early, thus allowing businesses to manage them before investing their time and resources.
• Understanding Market Demand: By studying consumer preferences, behaviors, and trends, businesses can gain a deeper understanding of market demand. This insight will allow them to tailor their offerings to effectively meet their audience’s needs.
• Resource Allocation: A market feasibility study provides valuable data that can guide resource allocation decisions. Accurate market insights are essential for efficient resource management, whether it involves determining the optimal marketing channels or forecasting sales projections.
• Attracting Investors: Investors are more likely to support a proposal that has undergone market analysis. A robust feasibility study shows that the business has researched the market and understands the business opportunity, which fills investors with confidence.

How to Conduct a Market Feasibility Study

You can follow these steps to conduct your market feasibility study:

• Define the Objective: Define the objectives of your market feasibility study. Are you assessing the viability of a new product, entering a new market, or expanding an existing business?
• Gather Data: Collect relevant data through primary and secondary research methods. Primary research involves gathering firsthand information through surveys, interviews, or focus groups, while secondary research involves analyzing existing data from sources (e.g., industry reports, market studies, and government publications).
• Conduct Market Analysis: Analyze the target market’s size, growth potential, and dynamics. Identify trends, demographics, and consumer preferences that may impact your business.
• Conduct Competitive Analysis: Assess the competitive landscape by identifying direct and indirect competitors. Analyze their strengths and weaknesses, then evaluate their market position and strategies.
• Determine Your Target Audience: Define your target audience and understand their needs, preferences, and purchasing behaviors. This information will help you tailor your marketing strategies and product offerings to effectively engage and attract customers.
• Develop Financial Projections: Based on your market research findings, develop realistic financial projections. This includes estimating sales volumes, pricing strategies, revenue forecasts, and cost projections to assess your endeavor’s potential profitability.

Launching a new product or service in a market is costly and requires a lot of effort. Therefore, conducting a market feasibility study is vital before entering the market. This analysis assesses your endeavor’s viability in the market and provides insights that can shape your business strategy and increase your chances of success.

I am Mohammad Fahad Usmani, B.E. PMP, PMI-RMP. I have been blogging on project management topics since 2011. To date, thousands of professionals have passed the PMP exam using my resources.

PMP Question Bank

This is the most popular Question Bank for the PMP Exam. To date, it has helped over 10,000 PMP aspirants prepare for the exam. 

PMP Training Program

This is a PMI-approved 35 contact hours training program and it is based on the latest exam content outline applicable in 2024.

Similar Posts

What is an Invitation to Bid (ITB)?

If you are managing contracts or involved with project management, you have likely interacted with an invitation to bid (ITB) or an invitation for bid (IFB).  An invitation to bid is a contract document a buyer floats for sellers to submit their offer for a project, product service, or result.  Today’s blog will discuss the…

10 Best Online Cybersecurity Courses (2023)

Cybersecurity is paramount in today’s digital landscape, where most businesses operate online. With the rise of cyber threats, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals has surged, making it a highly sought-after career path. Many online cybersecurity courses are available to meet this demand, catering to novice and experienced IT professionals. These courses aim to equip…

Top 9 Change Management Books in 2023

If you are looking for the best change management books, you landed at the right place, as today we will discuss 9 popular books on change management. In the dynamic landscape of today’s business world, change is the only constant. Consistent change shapes the way organizations operate and evolve. The ability to adapt, innovate, and…

Introduction to Waterfall Project Management

Waterfall methodology is the most popular project management methodology for managing traditional projects. This methodology is suited for projects that require a sequential approach.  This is the oldest form of project management that provides expected results with the least hassle. In today’s post, I will explain the Waterfall project management methodology and its pros and…

Why PMP: Why You Should Go for This Certification?

I constantly receive emails asking, “Why PMP?” “Should I go for the PMP exam or not?”, “Is it worth going for it?”, “Which is better, PMP or any other certification?” etc. This is a valid question with genuine concerns. Getting the PMP certification is not like buying a coffee from Starbucks or ordering something from…

ITIL Service Transition: A Complete Overview

The ITIL Service Transition stage is crucial for efficiently introducing new service designs and changes into operations. Its primary objective is to ensure that these modifications meet the expectations of the business. This phase of the ITIL service lifecycle focuses on building and deploying IT services in line with designs, allowing for flexibility in case…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Why Feasibility Studies Matter (With Examples)

Updated: November 11, 2022

Published: October 19, 2022

As a business leader, you want your projects to generate a return on investment. So before you begin any new venture, it’s a good idea to complete a feasibility study.

Feasibility studies help to determine the success (or failure) of your proposed project or plan. These types of studies help you make better, informed business decisions. As a result, you can save time and money by starting a plan or a project that you know has a high ROI.

Here, you’ll learn how to run feasibility studies. This post includes:

What is a feasibility study?

Feasibility study benefits, types of feasibility studies, how to write a feasibility study, feasibility study examples.

A feasibility study analyzes a potential project’s benefits, risks, costs, and potential outcomes. After completing a feasibility study, you and your team will have enough information to determine if the proposed project is a worthy investment.

Two types of sales forecasting data are appropriate for feasibility studies:

• Quantitative forecasting uses historical business data to predict trends.
• Qualitative sales forecasting data takes customers’ opinions, market research, and survey results into account.

The type of feasibility study you run determines which type of data you will need. Consider using qualitative forecasting data to determine how well your audience might receive your product. Quantitative data can help you predict revenue.

As a team leader, it’s your job to ensure your team hits yearly sales revenue goals. That may include deciding to take on a project based on projected sales forecasting data.

However, you do not want to take on a proposed plan or project without being sure the project will benefit your organization. Companies with accurate forecasts are 10% more likely to increase revenue yearly , according to Intangent.

That’s why feasibility studies matter. Combine sales forecasting data with the insight from a feasibility report, and you’ll be able to gauge the success rate of your proposed plan before you start.

Other feasibility benefits include:

• Determining if the project is appropriate for your team.
• Making sound decisions for your team.
• Avoiding mistakes.
• Narrowing the focus of the project.
• Determining project and team needs.
• Determining which departments need to be involved in the project.
• Calculating the amount and source of appropriate funding.
• Assessing the success or failure rate of your project.
• Estimating ROI.

Not only do feasibility studies help determine if a proposed plan or project is viable, but they also help narrow the focus of the project. Overall, feasibility studies can help keep your project on track from the start.

Now that you understand the benefits of feasibility studies, it’s time to determine which kind of feasibility study is best for your team.

Technical Feasibility Study

A technical feasibility study looks at your project’s technical aspects. This type of study answers the question: do you have the specialized resources and capabilities to carry out this project?

You might have the appropriate funding for a project, but a technical feasibility study will help you determine if you have the right processes, systems, and staffing for the job.

Best for: Software development teams and project development teams

Financial or Economic Feasibility Study

Financial feasibility studies can help you determine if you have the funding for your project. Plus, you’ll learn the venture is an overall good investment for your team and your company. These kinds of feasibility studies ask: is the allotted funding amount appropriate for this project?

By completing a financial feasibility study, you’ll have already identified funding sources, expenses, your budget, any potential risks, and expected revenue.

Best for: Financial managers and project managers

Operational Feasibility Study

As the name suggests, an operational feasibility study analyzes whether or not your team is equipped to carry out the proposed plan or project. This feasibility study answers the questions:

• Does your team have the means to complete the project?
• Will the project add value for your team or your customers?

Consider conducting an operational feasibility study if you have developed a solution for a potential problem. This kind of study will help you determine if the solution solves the problem or creates more issues.

Best for: Project managers and stakeholders

Legal Feasibility Study

This feasibility study should be performed to determine if your proposed project is legal and ethical. Legal feasibility studies are designed to keep you and your team aligned with local, state, and federal laws.

If you are unsure if your project is unethical or unlawful, a legal feasibility study will help you make the appropriate decision before you begin.

Best for: Legal departments and project managers

Scheduling Feasibility Study

When starting a new project, you’ll often be asked, “When can we reasonably expect this project to be completed?”

If you and your team are working for clients and are on a deadline, a scheduling feasibility study looks at the project’s timeline. That can help your team determine a reasonable completion date.

After completing a scheduling feasibility study, you might find the plan requires more time than you thought. This is helpful to know before you begin a project.

Best for: Stakeholders, project managers, and their teams

If you are wondering how to write a feasibility study, look no further than our feasibility study template .

Before you jump into writing your own study with our feasibility study template, take a minute to familiarize yourself with each section of the template. Keep in mind, the feasibility study temple can be customized to fit the needs of you and your team.

1. Executive Summary

Your executive summary should be a one-page summary of the entire study. Make sure to include the following:

• The project name.
• A description of the project.
• The goals of the project or plan.
• The target market.

Image Source

2. Business Explanation

This section of the feasibility study is your space to introduce the business concept of your project or plan. Consider discussing:

• The purpose of the project or plan.
• Products or services.
• Competitive advantages.
• Experience of its founders.

If your project is feasible, you’ll want to be as specific as possible in this section and discuss the project’s projected success.

3. Market Overview

This section of your feasibility study should discuss your target market and why your project or plan will (or will not) succeed. You’ll want to discuss your target market in-depth, its pain points, and how your proposed product or service will solve the problems.

You’ll want to include valid data in this section. Consider featuring:

• The market size and demographics.
• The market psychographics.
• Competitors and substitutes.

4. Financial Projections

Every good business endeavor is meant to make a profit. Your feasibility study should determine if the project or plan is a financially wise investment. The financial projections section of the feasibility template outlines and discusses critical financial metrics.

Considering including and discussing:

• Capital needs.
• Projected revenue and expenses.
• Projected revenue needed to break even.

5. Feasibility Assessment and Conclusion

In your conclusion, be as clear and specific about your proposed project or plan as possible. Use statements like, “Based on our assessment of (X), we have deemed this business project feasible.”

Feasibility studies can be helpful across your entire organization — from the sales team to the product development team. Here are a few examples of feasibility studies conducted in various industries.

Howard County Public School System

The Howard County Public School System’s feasibility study dives into projected student enrollment over a 10-year period.

What we love: The school system offers an excellent example of a brief, but thorough, executive summary. In this section, Howard County Public Schools also includes specific historical data used throughout the study.

Town of Walpole, Massachusetts

This feasibility study from the Walpole, Massachusetts’ explores the town’s recreation programming and facilities. Throughout, the document includes program recommendations with data that explains how the researchers came to this conclusion.

What we love: This document combines several different types of feasibility studies (financial, technical, and operational) into one comprehensive study. Remember, you can mold your feasibility study to fit your organization’s needs best.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

In this example, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service explores the feasibility of reintroducing sea otters to areas of the Pacific coast. This study also provides a model for structuring the objectives section of this document. A good feasibility study is clear and to the point in each section.

What we love: Here, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service distinguishes what the study covers (potential options for reintroduction), and what it cannot accomplish (projected population growth from reintroduction).

While your feasibility study seeks to assess a project’s viability, your document will have a limited scope. If you’ll need to gather additional information moving forward, mention that in your feasibility study.

Holdrege Area Public Library

Your feasibility study doesn’t need to be all text. The Holdrege Area Public Library makes use of graphics and charts to convey information in its feasibility study.

What we love: Infographics are easy to read. You can absorb important information with a quick skim.

Running Your Feasibility Study

Accurately predicting the success of a project might seem like a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be. There are many ways to conduct a feasibility study. Stary by leveraging the tools you already have, like HubSpot’s Forecasting Software and our feasibility study template.

Your job as a sales leader is to help your team increase your organization’s bottom line. With the use of sales forecasting data and feasibility studies, you’ll be able to pursue the projects that will yield the highest ROI.

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

How Startups Are Raising Money Today [Data + Expert Insights]

Hurkle-Durkling: Don't Snooze on The $70B Opportunity in Sleep Tourism

The Process of Entrepreneurship: The 5 Stages of a Successful Entrepreneurial Process

5 Reasons Why People Become Entrepreneurs, According to 200+ Entrepreneurs

Target Markets: Why They Aren't Just for Marketers [A Quick Guide]

Solo Travel Will Continue To Rise In 2025 — 4 Opportunities To Cash In

Here's How to Value a Company [With Examples]

The Million-Dollar Opportunity in Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Suit Yourself: The $2.4B Market for Robotic Exoskeletons

How to Crush The Conversion Game on Your Website

A free template to help you prove your project's feasibility.

Powerful and easy-to-use sales software that drives productivity, enables customer connection, and supports growing sales orgs

• Designing & Implementation of Loyalty & Rewards program
• News & Report
• Case Studies

Here are some tips for structuring and presenting your findings with finesse:

• Keep your report succinct and to the point. Avoid unnecessary jargon or technical language.
• Use charts, graphs, and visuals to bring your data to life and make complex information more digestible.
• Provide actionable recommendations based on your analysis. Your final document is supposed to guide decision-makers on the path to success.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Conduct a Feasibility Study

Clarify your mission and vision for the feasibility study. Define the scope of your study. Outline what you hope to achieve and the boundaries of your analysis.

Gather information from various sources—surveys, interviews, and existing research. Conduct thorough market research to understand your customer needs, market trends, and competitor landscapes.

Crunch the numbers and assess the financial feasibility of your project. Conduct a cost-benefit analysis to weigh the potential costs against the anticipated benefits of your venture.

Evaluate the operational feasibility of your project. Consider factors such as resource availability, technology requirements, and logistical challenges. Identify potential risks and develop risk management strategies to minimize their impact.

Compile your findings and recommendations into a comprehensive Feasibility Study report. Present your analysis, insights, and recommendations clearly and concisely, ensuring stakeholders can easily understand and act upon the information provided.

In conclusion, feasibility studies serve as a compass to guide businesses through the turbulent seas of uncertainty. Prioritizing these studies helps you chart a course towards success with confidence and clarity.

Ready to embark on your feasibility journey? Dive deeper with Researchers.me and unlock the insights you need to navigate the waters of business ventures. Start your journey now!

• Azhar Siddique
• No Comments

Share Post -

Contact us today

Let us assist you in making the best decision and handling the work. Your company deserves the best. We make your vision a reality!

TECHNOLOGIES

● strategy & consultation, ● business consultation & implementaion, ● on chain ecosystem consulting, ● blockchain infra consulting, ● asset tokenization, ● defi consultation, ● web 3.0 strategy & consultation, ● tokenzation, ● market making, ● feasibility studies, ● data story telling, ● mystery shopping, ● customers experience & happiness, ● employee satisfaction & engagement, ● qualitative & quantitative surveys, ● brand postioning & benchmarking, ● competitior analysis, ● marketing consulting, ● dashboard & reporting, ● data analytics, ● master data management, ● data quality, ● data integration, ● ibm cognos analytics, ● microsoft power bi, ● qlikview / qliksense, ● product analysis, ● process analysis, ● designing and implementing of loyalty & rewards program.

• +971 56 574 7998
• [email protected]
• 20th Floor, Regal Tower, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

⛊ Privacy Policy

© researchers 2024. all rights reserved..

ColemanWick

Essential Questions for a Market Feasibility Study

Embarking on a new business venture is an exciting endeavor, but it’s essential to conduct thorough market research to assess the feasibility of your ideas. A market feasibility study helps entrepreneurs evaluate the viability of their business concept by analyzing market conditions, customer needs, and competitive landscape. To conduct a comprehensive study, it’s crucial to ask the right questions. Here are some basic questions to include in your market feasibility study:

1. What is the Target Market?

Who are the potential customers for your product or service? What are their demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, income, and location? What are their needs, preferences, and purchasing behaviors?

2. Is There Sufficient Demand?

Is there a demand for your product or service in the market? Are there any existing solutions or alternatives available to address the same needs? What are the current market trends and dynamics that may impact demand?

3. Who are the Competitors?

Who are the Main Competitors in the Market? What are their strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning? How do their products or services compare to yours in terms of features, pricing, and quality?

4. What is the Market Size and Growth Potential?

How large is the total addressable market for your product or service? What is the projected growth rate of the market in the coming years? Are there any emerging opportunities or niche segments within the market?

5. What are the Barriers to Entry?

What are the barriers to entry in the market, such as regulatory requirements, capital investment, or access to distribution channels? How difficult would it be for new entrants to compete effectively in the market?

6. What is the Pricing Strategy?

What pricing strategy will you employ for your product or service? How does your pricing compare to competitors’ offerings? What factors will influence customers’ willingness to pay?

7. How will you Reach Customers?

What channels will you use to reach your target customers, such as online platforms, retail stores, or direct sales? What marketing and promotional strategies will you employ to create awareness and drive sales?

8. What are the Financial Considerations?

What are the estimated startup costs and ongoing expenses for your business? What revenue projections and profit margins can you realistically expect? What is the potential return on investment for your business venture? By addressing these fundamental questions in your market feasibility study, you can gain valuable insights into the viability and potential success of your business concept. Conducting thorough research and analysis will help you make informed decisions and increase your chances of building a sustainable and profitable venture.

Latest Blog

Follow us on, get exclusive market insights delivered to your inbox.

Feasibility Study Blueprint for Project Success & Beyond

Discover the power of feasibility studies and learn how to create a strong project blueprint. Explore the steps, examples, and benefits of feasibility studies.

Keep your projects on track with Motion

• Never stress over project deadlines again
• Full visibility and accountability for every project and task
• Powerful and fully-customizable project management software
• Extremely easy to adopt. You'll be up and running in less than 30 minutes

Imagine investing time, effort, and capital into a project only to realize it's rotten with flaws and limitations. The consequences can be detrimental, ranging from financial setbacks to damaged reputations.

Enter the feasibility study — an indispensable tool to evaluate your project and any risks. A feasibility study helps plan flawless products and services and address limitations early.

In this blueprint, we explore the power of feasibility studies and unveil the steps for creating one. We'll guide you through the principles and best practices and show you examples.

Let's jump right in.

What is a feasibility study?

A feasibility study looks at a project’s potential before spending resources.

Consider it a detective’s investigation that uncovers potential problems you could face and if it’s worth it.

The key parts of a feasibility study include:

• Analyzing the project's technical needs
• Checking if it makes financial sense
• Identifying risks and challenges
• And considering any legal or rule-related factors

Let’s say your new business venture is to open a gym. Here; a feasibility study would involve the following:

• Examining the location
• Estimating the initial investment required
• Analyzing the target market
• Assessing competition

It'd also consider factors like zoning regulations, environmental impact, and potential risks.

When do you need a feasibility study?

A feasibility study happens before starting work on a project to assess its viability. However, let’s first focus on situations outside of project management where a feasibility study comes into play.

Entrepreneurs use feasibility studies to decide if their new business or product ideas are realistic and can be done. These studies are also called business plans in this setting.

In construction, a feasibility study is a part of valuing the practicality of projects. They use it to identify  resources needed vs. available , the overall cost, and return on investment (ROI).

Feasibility studies are also common in market entry strategies. Here they study market conditions, competition, and user stories.

In these scenarios, they can also fulfill the role of an investment proposal tool or a  plan of action  to guide ventures later.

When do you need a feasibility study in project management?

In project management, you should do the feasibility study after pitching the project but before starting.

‎In project management, feasibility studies help highlight whether the project aligns with the business’s  goals . It also helps them to see if they can accomplish the goals within the given constraints.

In Agile project management, feasibility studies may differ, but the purpose remains the same. For  Agile  feasibility studies, the focus is more concentrated and lightweight than in traditional methodologies. They are carried out before the initial project iteration and then done as the project progresses.

However, in certain projects and situations, a feasibility study isn’t necessary. These are:

• If the project is of a trivial or mundane nature.
• When the project has extensive research and validity behind it.

What benefits are there with a feasibility study?

Other than the stated advantage of clarity before tackling a project, this study has many other benefits. Let's explore these advantages a little deeper.

Risk reduction:  Feasibility studies help spot potential risks and challenges early on.

Efficient use of resources:  Doing a feasibility study lets managers see how they might use resources. And whether the resources needed would be made available. They can then plan the resource allocation (once the ball gets rolling).

Smart decision-making:  This research can give you the knowledge you need to make wise project choices in the future.

Financial planning:  Feasibility studies help managers ‌estimate costs, predict income, and check ROI.

Meeting rules:  Feasibility studies look at a project's legal and compliance aspects (often overlooked). Doing this early instead of at a product launch can save countless headaches.

It helps gain support from important stakeholders:  Showing them a well-thought-out plan will help you to gain their confidence and set their expectations early.

4 types of feasibility studies

Feasibility studies come in 4 different types, each geared at helping you know what you are getting into.

‎Let's explore the four main types.

Financial feasibility

A financial feasibility study determines whether a project is financially viable and can make enough profit. It looks at the costs, revenues, and financial implications of the whole project.

Let's look at an example financial feasibility study for a new Italian restaurant. It’d center around the costs of ingredients, rent, equipment, and employee salaries and compare them to projected profit.

Market feasibility

Market feasibility studies assess the potential market demand and acceptance for a product or service. They examine market size, customer preferences, competition, and market trends.

For instance, a market feasibility study for the restaurant might analyze the demand for similar cuisine. They could study consumer preferences for Italian dishes and preferred pricing. Doing this will also help the restaurant avoid overstocking products (ingredients) because they can anticipate the level of demand.

Technical feasibility

Technical feasibility studies determine the likelihood of success from a technical perspective. They assess factors like available technology, required resources, and technical expertise.

Let’s continue with the restaurant example and see how the technical study looks. The study will check if launching the restaurant is possible within the specified timeframe. It will also check if the necessary stoves are available and if the head chef has the required cooking skills.

Operational feasibility

Operational feasibility determines whether businesses can implement the project within themselves. It examines available resources, required skills, and existing infrastructure.

Let’s imagine the restaurant is planning to introduce a delivery service. The study would assess if the restaurant has enough staff for delivery (or would outsource it) and if the kitchen can handle additional orders. It can also check if the planned POS system can integrate with the delivery platform.

Conduct a feasibility study in 8 steps

Next up, let’s look at how to conduct a complete feasibility study. We’ve broken down the general process into eight steps, which you can apply across most industries.

1. Gather the data (pre-analysis)

Gathering relevant data and information is a prerequisite for a successful feasibility study.

Here, you focus on collecting the necessary facts and details to analyze and use in the study later. Focus on data that applies to the four types of feasibility studies and gather the information you need for each of those.

You can gather primary data by conducting firsthand surveys, interviews, or observations. You can also get secondary data from existing sources like reports, databases, or industry publications.

Using both sources gives you a more comprehensive understanding of the project's feasibility.

2. Conduct market analysis

Now let’s go over the bases you need to cover for a market analysis:

• Explore market aspects such as size, trends, customer preferences, and competition.
• Examine current market statistics to understand the potential demand for your product or service.
• Evaluate the competitive landscape to identify existing players and their strategies.

‎For your market feasibility study to be successful, your product or service should be competitive. Your business should also be able to match ‌current market demand (or scale to meet them).

3. Evaluate technical feasibility

Next, assess the technical feasibility of the project requirements and constraints.

Consider factors such as:

• Available technology

Then specify if the required infrastructure and tools are in place or if more is needed. Ask questions like, what impact does missing a few staff have on output and sales? How much downtime can you afford because of technical problems?

Also, use this study to examine potential solutions if needed. For example, can you afford another hire if you don’t have enough staff? How long will it take? Is there a way to avoid delays? Can upskilling a few staff help?

4. Perform financial analysis

Next, evaluate the projected costs, potential revenue streams, and ROI.

Then compare ‌the above against funding sources, timeline, and budget.

5. Assess legal and regulatory factors

Next, evaluate the legal and regulatory aspects that may impact your project's feasibility.

Consider compliance requirements, permits, licenses, and any potential legal obstacles. Try to find reliable outside sources if the need arises to help you do this. It would be a shame if your product or service goes to market only to fail because of poor compliance.

6. Analyze environmental and social impacts

In this step, you should check the environmental and social impact of your proposed business.

‎Think about the project’s influence on environmental regulations and corporate social responsibility. Consider things like resource usage, garbage control and their effect on the public.

7. Identify and evaluate risks

Next, we identify, evaluate, and plan for potential risks and challenges.

Why do a risk analysis in a feasibility study? The answer is that sometimes risks can be too big to take (and cause project failure).

8. Summarize findings and recommendations

Finally, it's time to summarize and give recommendations.

Make the summary concise, as you might use it to give insights to stakeholders and decision-makers.

Let’s use our Italian restaurant example again and assume you conducted a feasibility study. After all the evaluations, you found a high demand for the proposed cuisine. The necessary resources and expertise are available, and the financial projections indicate profitability. However, you did identify the risk of stiff competition in the local area. Based on this, you recommend that the restaurant strategize ways to differentiate itself from competitors.

Examples of feasibility studies

Let’s explore a couple of examples to show you the power of the feasibility study.

Marketing feasibility study

We will illustrate a situation where a firm plans to introduce a new type of product to the market.

To assess  technical feasibility , they analyze factors like software tools and hardware infrastructure.

For  operational feasibility , they determine if they can execute the marketing plan. They check factors like experienced staff availability,  capacity , and potential operational challenges.

In the  financial study , the company would analyze projected costs and potential revenue streams. They consider production, marketing, and ad costs and assess the expected ROI.

For the  market study , they research the audience, trends, and competitors.

Software development feasibility study

Let us shift our focus and contemplate an alternative situation. This organization makes new software for task management and want to know if their new app is a good idea.

In the  technical analysis , they evaluate if they possess the necessary software engineers, coding dialects, and software applications.

For  operational feasibility , they think about staff training, the potential impact on existing systems, and ease of integration.

In the  financial study , they analyze costs such as hiring programmers and ongoing maintenance. They also assess potential revenue streams like software licensing fees or subscriptions.

For the  market study , they research the target market and the competitors.

Motion helps with feasibility studies

Motion is a project management tool that can boost the effectiveness and precision of your feasibility assessment.

The app can help you construct an organized timeline for your studies. With a clear timeline, you can better analyze and plot out the feasibility of the project before doing it.

‎Motion has color-coded tasks and events to track the progress of your feasibility study. It can also manage and track the progress of various tasks and subtasks in your feasibility study.

‎Motion's collaboration features can help coordinate work among team members. It can also share calendars, schedule meetings, and allocate resources for you.

It also has time-blocking features to allocate dedicated time for focused work, analysis, and research.

Sign up now for your  7-day free trial  of Motion.

Related articles

13 Time Management Techniques to Boost Your Productivity

The Secrets to Effective Sprint Planning

Understanding the Sprint Backlog and How to Use It

Put motion to the test., tech and media companies are talking about motion.

Table of Contents

What is a feasibility study, understanding a feasibility study, types of feasibility study, importance of feasibility study, benefits of a feasibility study, what is included in a feasibility study report, tools for conducting a feasibility study, examples of a feasibility study, what is the purpose of a feasibility study, how do you write a feasibility study, 7 steps to do a feasibility study, how to conduct a feasibility study, feasibility study vs. business plan, reasons to do or not to do a feasibility study, enroll today with these pgp on project management to enhance your skills, what is a feasibility study a comprehensive guide.

The growth and recognition of project management training have changed significantly over the past few years, and these changes are expected to continue and expand. And with the rise of project management comes the need for a feasibility study.

It can be thrilling to start a complex, large-scale project with a significant impact on your company. You are creating real change. Failure can be scary.  This article will help you get started if you have never done a feasibility study on project management.

Getting certified as a project management professional is simple with Simplilearn's PMP Certification . Take advantage of this opportunity by enrolling now.

A feasibility study is a comprehensive evaluation of a proposed project that evaluates all factors critical to its success in order to assess its likelihood of success. Business success can be defined primarily in terms of ROI, which is the amount of profits that will be generated by the project.

A feasibility study evaluates a project's or system's practicality. As part of a feasibility study, the objective and rational analysis of a potential business or venture is conducted to determine its strengths and weaknesses, potential opportunities and threats, resources required to carry out, and ultimate success prospects. Two criteria should be considered when judging feasibility: the required cost and expected value.

As the name implies, a feasibility analysis is used to determine the viability of an idea, such as ensuring a project is legally and technically feasible as well as economically justifiable. It tells us whether a project is worth the investment—in some cases, a project may not be doable. There can be many reasons for this, including requiring too many resources, which not only prevents those resources from performing other tasks but also may cost more than an organization would earn back by taking on a project that isn’t profitable.

A well-designed study should offer a historical background of the business or project, such as a description of the product or service, accounting statements, details of operations and management, marketing research and policies, financial data, legal requirements, and tax obligations. Generally, such studies precede technical development and project implementation.

Become a Project Management Professional

• 6% Growth In Jobs Of Project Management Profiles By 2024
• 22 Million Jobs Estimated For Project Management Professionals By 2027

PMP® Certification Training

• Access to Digital Materials from PMI
• 12 Full-Length Simulation Test Papers (180 Questions Each)

Post Graduate Program in Project Management

• Earn a certificate of completion from iHUB DivyaSampark, IIT Roorkee
• Earn 146 PDUs for PMI related certifications with 35 contact hours and 14 simulation examinations to ace the PMP exam

Here's what learners are saying regarding our programs:

Katrina Tanchoco

Shell - manila ,.

The interactive sessions make a huge difference as I'm able to ask for further clarifications. The training sessions are more engaging than the self-paced modules, it's easier now that i first decided to take up the online classroom training, and then followed it up with the self-paced learning (online and readings).

Darren Driscoll

It project coordinator , metro.

Burnt out from my previous role, I joined Simplilearn’s Project Management program to transition into a new career. The blend of live classes, expert instructors, and hands-on labs prepared me well. I now work as an IT Project Manager, with plans to pursue PMP certification and increase my salary

Project management is the process of planning, organizing, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives. A feasibility study is a preliminary exploration of a proposed project or undertaking to determine its merits and viability. A feasibility study aims to provide an independent assessment that examines all aspects of a proposed project, including technical, economic, financial, legal, and environmental considerations. This information then helps decision-makers determine whether or not to proceed with the project.

The feasibility study results can also be used to create a realistic project plan and budget. Without a feasibility study, it cannot be easy to know whether or not a proposed project is worth pursuing.

A feasibility analysis evaluates the project’s potential for success; therefore, perceived objectivity is an essential factor in the credibility of the study for potential investors and lending institutions. There are five types of feasibility study—separate areas that a feasibility study examines, described below.

1. Technical Feasibility

This assessment focuses on the technical resources available to the organization. It helps organizations determine whether the technical resources meet capacity and whether the technical team is capable of converting the ideas into working systems. Technical feasibility also involves the evaluation of the hardware, software, and other technical requirements of the proposed system. As an exaggerated example, an organization wouldn’t want to try to put Star Trek’s transporters in their building—currently, this project is not technically feasible.

2. Economic Feasibility

This assessment typically involves a cost/ benefits analysis of the project, helping organizations determine the viability, cost, and benefits associated with a project before financial resources are allocated. It also serves as an independent project assessment and enhances project credibility—helping decision-makers determine the positive economic benefits to the organization that the proposed project will provide.

3. Legal Feasibility

This assessment investigates whether any aspect of the proposed project conflicts with legal requirements like zoning laws, data protection acts or social media laws. Let’s say an organization wants to construct a new office building in a specific location. A feasibility study might reveal the organization’s ideal location isn’t zoned for that type of business. That organization has just saved considerable time and effort by learning that their project was not feasible right from the beginning.

4. Operational Feasibility

This assessment involves undertaking a study to analyze and determine whether—and how well—the organization’s needs can be met by completing the project. Operational feasibility studies also examine how a project plan satisfies the requirements identified in the requirements analysis phase of system development.

5. Scheduling Feasibility

This assessment is the most important for project success ; after all, a project will fail if not completed on time. In scheduling feasibility, an organization estimates how much time the project will take to complete.

When these areas have all been examined, the feasibility analysis helps identify any constraints the proposed project may face, including:

• Internal Project Constraints: Technical, Technology, Budget, Resource, etc.
• Internal Corporate Constraints: Financial, Marketing, Export, etc.
• External Constraints: Logistics, Environment, Laws, and Regulations, etc.

The importance of a feasibility study is based on organizational desire to “get it right” before committing resources, time, or budget. A feasibility study might uncover new ideas that could completely change a project’s scope. It’s best to make these determinations in advance, rather than to jump in and to learn that the project won’t work. Conducting a feasibility study is always beneficial to the project as it gives you and other stakeholders a clear picture of the proposed project. 

Below are some key benefits of conducting a feasibility study:

• Improves project teams’ focus
• Identifies new opportunities
• Provides valuable information for a “go/no-go” decision
• Narrows the business alternatives
• Identifies a valid reason to undertake the project
• Enhances the success rate by evaluating multiple parameters
• Aids decision-making on the project
• Identifies reasons not to proceed

Apart from the approaches to feasibility study listed above, some projects also require other constraints to be analyzed -

Preparing a project's feasibility study is an important step that may assist project managers in making informed decisions about whether or not to spend time and money on the endeavor. Feasibility studies may also help a company's management avoid taking on a tricky business endeavor by providing them with critical information.

An additional advantage of doing a feasibility study is that it aids in the creation of new ventures by providing information on factors such as how a company will work, what difficulties it could face, who its competitors are, and how much and where it will get its funding from. These marketing methods are the goal of feasibility studies, which try to persuade financiers and banks whether putting money into a certain company venture makes sense.

When starting a business, one of the most important steps is to conduct a feasibility study. This study will help to determine if your business idea is viable and has the potential to be successful. Several factors need to be considered when conducting a feasibility study, including the marketability of your product or service, the competition, the financial stability of your company, and more. A feasibility study should cover the amount of technology, resources required, and ROI.

The results of your feasibility studies study are summarized in a feasibility report, which typically comprises the following sections.

• Executive summary
• Specifications of the item or service
• Considerations for the future of technology
• The marketplace for goods and services
• Approach to marketing
• Organization/staffing
• The financial forecasts
• Recommendations based on research

Suggested Best Practices

While every project has its own goals and needs, the following are best practices for conducting a feasibility study.

• Do a preliminary analysis. This includes getting feedback from relevant stakeholders on the new project. Also, look for other business scenarios.
• To ensure that the data is solid, determine and ask queries about it in the initial phase.
• Take a market survey to identify market demand and opportunities for the new concept or business.
• Create an organizational, operational, or business plan. This includes identifying how much labor is required, what costs, and how long.
• Make a projected income statement that involves revenue, operating expenses, and profit.
• Create an opening day balance sheet.
• You will need to identify and address any vulnerabilities or obstacles.
• Take an initial decision to go ahead with the plan.

Suggested Components

Here are the some suggested components for conducting a feasibility study:

• Executive Summary: Write a narrative describing the project, product, or service.
• Technological considerations: Ask yourself what it will take. Are you able to afford it? How much will it cost?
• Current marketplace: Find out the market for your product, service, or plan in the local and global markets.
• Marketing strategy: Define in the detailed description.
• Required staff: What human resources are needed for this project?
• Timeline and schedule: Use important interim markers to indicate when the project will be completed.
• Project financials. Project financials are the different ways managers can account for money spent and earned on projects. One of the most important aspects of financial management is creating and tracking accurate project financials.

A local university was concerned about the state of the science building, which was built in the 1970s. School officials sought to determine the costs and benefits of expanding and upgrading the building, given the scientific and technological advances over the past 20 years. A feasibility study was therefore conducted.

School officials looked at several options and weighed the costs and benefits of updating and expanding the science building. There were concerns expressed by school officials about the project's cost and public reaction. The proposed new science building will be larger than the current one. The community board rejected similar proposals in the past. The feasibility study will address these concerns and any possible legal or zoning issues.

The feasibility study examined the technology requirements of the proposed concept(new science building), the potential benefits for students, and its long-term viability. Modernizing the science facility will increase the scientific research potential and ameliorate its modules. It also would allure new students.

Financial projections provided information about the scope & cost of this project and also provided information on raising funds. This covers issuing an investor's bonds and tapping into its endowment. Projections also help determine how the new science program attracts more fresh students to enroll in offered programs, increasing tuition and fees revenue.

The feasibility study proved that the proposed concept was feasible, which allowed for the expansion and modernization of the science building. The feasibility study would not have allowed school administrators to know if the expansion plans were feasible without it.

A feasibility study is an important first step in starting a new business. It is a detailed examination of whether or not a proposed business venture is likely to be successful. A feasibility study aims to provide information that will help business owners make informed decisions about their new venture.

The feasibility study will answer important questions about the proposed business, including:

• What is the target market for this business?
• Who are the competitors?
• What are the costs associated with starting and running this business?
• What are the potential risks and rewards associated with this venture?
• How much revenue can this business generate?
• What are the estimated profits and losses for this business?
• What is the potential for growth in this industry?

This feasibility study will outline why your business idea is worth pursuing and will also help you identify any potential risks or problems that could occur. When writing a feasibility study, there are a few key things to keep in mind:

• Outline your target market and how you plan to reach them.
• Discuss your product or service in detail and explain why it is unique and needed.
• Outline your financial projections and explain how you plan to make a profit.

1. Conduct a Preliminary Analysis

A preliminary investigation is necessary to determine whether a full feasibility study is warranted. During this stage, key information will be gathered to assess the project's potential and make a preliminary decision about its feasibility. This should include a review of relevant documents, interviews with key personnel, and surveys of potential customers or users.

2. Prepare a Projected Income Statement

To do a feasibility study, you must create a projected income statement. Your projected income statement will show how much money your business is expected to make in the coming year. It will include both your estimated revenue and your estimated expenses. This document will be essential in helping you make informed decisions about your business.

3. Conduct a Market Survey, or Perform Market Research

Conducting market research is an important step in any feasibility study. By understanding the needs and wants of your potential customers, you can determine if there is a market for your product or service. You can also get an idea of what your competition is doing and how to best position your business to meet the needs of your target market.

There are a variety of ways to conduct market research. One popular method is to conduct a survey. You can survey potential customers directly or use data from secondary sources such as surveys conducted by other organizations. You can also use focus groups or interviews to get feedback from potential customers.

Once you have gathered your data, you can use it to create a profile of your ideal customer. This will help you understand your target market and how to reach them.

4. Plan Business Organization and Operations

When starting a business, one of the first things you need is to plan your organization and operations. This involves creating a structure for your company and figuring out the logistics of how you will run it. There are many factors to consider when planning your organization and operations, such as:

• Company Structure: What type of company will you be (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, etc.)? What will the hierarchy look like?
• Location: Where will your business be located? Will you have a physical storefront or operate online only?
• Marketing: How will you promote your business?

5. Prepare an Opening Day Balance Sheet

The opening day balance sheet is a snapshot of the company's financial position at the beginning of the business venture. The purpose of the opening day balance sheet is to give an idea of the amount of money that the company has to work with and track its expenses and income as they occur. This information is vital to making sound business decisions. The opening day balance sheet will include the following:

• Cash on hand
• Accounts receivable
• Prepaid expenses
• Fixed assets
• Accounts payable
• Notes payable
• Long-term liabilities

6. Review and Analyze All Data

The feasibility study should include reviewing and analyzing all data relevant to the proposed project. The data collected should be verified against source documentation, and any discrepancies should be noted. The purpose of the feasibility study is to provide a basis for making a decision, and the data should be sufficient to support that decision.

The analysis should consider both the positive and negative aspects of the proposed project. The financial analysis should be thorough, and all assumptions should be documented. The risk assessment should identify any potential risks and mitigation strategies. The team assigned to the project should review the feasibility study and recommend the organization's leadership.

Organizational leadership should decide whether to proceed with the project based on the feasibility study's findings. If the project is approved, the organization should develop a project plan that includes a detailed budget and timeline

7. Make a Go/No-Go Decision

It is important to know when to cut your losses when starting a business. The go/no-go decision in a feasibility study comes in. The go/no-go decision is a key part of a feasibility study, and it can help you determine whether or not your business idea is worth pursuing.

Making the go/no-go decision is all about risk assessment. You need to weigh the risks and rewards of starting your business and decide whether the potential rewards are worth the risks. If the risks are too high, you may want to reconsider your business idea.

Now, let's discuss a few of the steps we take in order to do the feasibility study.

• To begin, we do a preliminary study of the business case to define what is included and what we are examining and attempting to find is realistic.
• Following that, we generate a forecasted income statement. We need to understand the revenue sources; how are we going to profit from this? Where does the income originate? Additionally, we must do a market study.
• We need to find out whether this is a demand for our product. How much demand does this have? Is there a market for this product or service?
• Plan your company's structure and operations, which is the fourth step. Specifically, what type of organization do we need, and what resources do we have? Do we have any specific personnel needs?
• We also plan to generate a balance sheet on the first day. What are the income and expenses, and how can we be confident we'll be able to decide whether we're going to make our ROI?
• As a result, we plan to go through and examine all of our data before making a final decision on whether or not to go forward. In other words, are we going to pursue this project or business opportunity?

When starting a business, you must create two very important documents: a feasibility study and a business plan. While they may seem similar, they are two different things with different purposes.

A feasibility study is a preliminary document that assesses the feasibility of a proposed business. It looks at the market potential, the competition, the costs and benefits of starting the business, and the risks and rewards involved.

On the other hand, a business plan is a more detailed document that outlines how a business will be run and what its goals are. It includes information about its mission statement, its products and services, its target market, its finances, and its management team.

There are many factors to consider when deciding whether or not to conduct a feasibility study. The most important question is whether the study will help you make a better decision.

Some reasons to do a feasibility study include:

• You are considering a major change or investment
• You want to assess the viability of a new business or product
• You need to understand the risks and potential rewards associated with a project

On the other hand, some reasons not to do a feasibility study include:

• You are pressed for time and don't think the study will provide enough value to justify the time commitment.
• You are confident that your idea is feasible, and a study will only confirm what you already believe.
• The change or investment is not significant enough to warrant the study.
• Digital Project Manager: This program will help you move from technical to managerial positions. This certification is recognized internationally and can open up exciting career opportunities in IT management.
• Post Graduate Program in Project Management: This project management certification course aligns with PMI-PMP(r) and IASSC -Lean Six Sigma. You can attend live online interactive classes and masterclasses.

Program Name PMP® Certification Training Course PMP Plus Post Graduate Program In Project Management glyph Icons All Geos All Geos All Geos University PMI Simplilearn University of Massachusetts Amherst Course Duration 90 Days of Flexible Access to Online Classes 36 Months 6 Months Coding experience reqd No No No Skills you wll learn 8+ PM skills including Work Breakdown Structure, Gantt Charts, Resource Allocation, Leadership and more. 6 courses including Project Management, Agile Scrum Master, Implementing a PMO, and More 9+ skills including Project Management, Quality Management, Agile Management, Design Thinking and More. Additional Benefits -Experiential learning through case studies -Global Teaching Assistance -35PDUs -Learn by working on real-world problems -24x7 Learning support from mentors -Earn 60+ PDU’s -3 year course access Cost $$ $$$$ $$$$ Explore Program Explore Program Explore Program

This article introduces the concept of a feasibility study and provides a few tips on conducting one. A feasibility study is an important tool for evaluating a project before starting it. By understanding the feasibility of a project, you can make better decisions about whether to move forward.

We hope this helped you understand the concept of feasibility study better. To learn more about similar project management concepts , explore our library of Project Management articles or check out our Post Graduate Program in Project Management that covers new trends, emerging practices, tailoring considerations, and core competencies required of a Project Management professional .

Q1. What Is the Main Objective of a Feasibility Study?

Feasibility study helps decision makers to determine the success or failure of a proposed project or investment. It evaluates the predicted cost and benefits of the proposed project. 

Q2. What Are the Steps in a Feasibility Study?

The first step in a feasibility study is to conduct the primary analysis and create the projected income statement. Followed by doing a market survey and accordingly planning business operations. The last step is to create a balance sheet to review and analyze data. Based on your analysis, you can decide whether to go or not go ahead with the proposed statement. 

Q3. Who Conducts a Feasibility Study?

Feasibility study is done by the senior management of the organization. Sometimes, they take help from mid-senior employees to complete the analysis in short span of time. 

Q4. What Are the 5 Types of Feasibility?

The 5 types of feasibility study are Scheduling Feasibility, Operational Feasibility, Legal Feasibility, Economic Feasibility, and Technical Feasibility. 

Q5. Why is a Feasibility Study Important?

A feasibility study helps in identifying the financial, market and logistical challenges of a proposed project. It is done by evaluating the estimated funds for the project and return of investment.

Q6. When is the Feasibility Study Done?

The feasibility study is done before the business plan is created. 

Q7. What is the Primary Purpose of Conducting a Feasibility Analysis?

The objective of feasibility study is to assess the financial viability of developed plan and whether it will be successful or not.

Our Project Management Courses Duration And Fees

Project Management Courses typically range from a few weeks to several months, with fees varying based on program and institution.

Get Free Certifications with free video courses

Project Management

Learn from industry experts with free masterclasses.

How to Successfully Ace the PMP Exam on Your First Attempt in 2024

Project Management Career Path: Key Challenges and Pathways in 2024

Career Masterclass: Become an AI-Savvy Project Manager: The Skills You Need to Thrive

Recommended Reads

How to Pass the PMP Exam? 5-week Study Guide

6 Best Places to Study Abroad

A Complete Guide on the Types of Statistical Studies

Skilling 4.0: A Study on Digital Readiness

Case Studies and Success Stories

Best Country to Study Abroad

Get Affiliated Certifications with Live Class programs

• PMP, PMI, PMBOK, CAPM, PgMP, PfMP, ACP, PBA, RMP, SP, OPM3 and the PMI ATP seal are the registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

The 4 essential components of a market feasibility study

Frequently, a company undertakes a feasibility study when it’s looking to introduce a new business, product, or service or grow its operations.

A feasibility study is intended to evaluate the viability of an undertaking in order to establish whether or not it will possibly succeed.  Through undertaking market feasibility studies, businesses can better validate their idea from ideation to fruition. This is where market research companies in Uganda such as Researchtec, come into play. We can help businesses study the market to establish if the available demand is sufficient enough to warrant the launch of a new business.

In terms of technicalities, a market feasibility study can do more than just evaluate the viability and likelihood of success for your business. It can also reveal the evidence required to bar you from starting a risky project, identify potential pitfalls or just study the nature of the competition you are likely to face. 

In order to undertake an effective feasibility study, there are some elements that have to be incorporated. Below are the four essential components of a market feasibility study.

1. Stakeholder In-Depth Interviews (IDIs)

A great place to start a market feasibility study is to engage any associated stakeholders. As professional market researchers in Uganda, we begin this process by organizing between 8 and 12 in-depth interviews with stakeholders who may include important personnel within or without the business as well as market experts. 

With each interview running for an average of 25 minutes, close to 5 hours worth of advice and insights will be at the market researcher’s disposal thereafter. 

As expert African market researchers, we use this opportunity to better acquaint ourselves with the project and its objectives. Moreover, seeking and incorporating advice from stakeholders can be a guaranteed way to win their favour and approval in the initial phases which can later be drawn upon when their support is required.

2. Demographic Evaluation and Trend Analysis

Understanding your potential target market beforehand you launch a new product or service could be the critical decision that saves you from launching a failing product or business. With 1 in 2 businesses failing globally due to a lack of market need, understanding your potential target market is invaluable.

Through conducting secondary research, Researchtec can help you identify your target market and its demographic structure such as age, gender, consumption patterns, spending habits and income among others that would affect the project’s feasibility. As professional market researchers in Uganda, we are able to study to similarly study industry and market trends that are driving the industry or are likely to influence your market so you don’t second guess who your customers really are.

3. Quantitative Survey

Whereas our Research Analysts may use secondary data for our demographic and trend analysis, the quantitative survey will solely be hinged on primary data that will be gathered from your clientele and target population.

As part of the feasibility study, we will partake in formulating a survey aimed mainly at finding out the existing and anticipated uptake as well as the extent to which the new venture will impact the market. Not every market research company in Uganda will be able to pull this particular process off effectively, as it requires a very nuanced understanding of Consumer Profiling. The survey, at this point, can be conducted in various ways including online or via telephone where the former is cheaper, faster and produces quantifiable data. The most effective online surveys range between 5 and 30 questions, running for an estimated maximum duration of 7 minutes to avoid leaving the respondents feeling drained. 

If undertaking your consumer profiling in Uganda, your chosen market research agency in Uganda should then be able to take the findings from the survey, examine them, detect themes, make deductions and use the information to direct the strategy. 

4. Competitive Assessment

This is the last essential and core ingredient of undertaking a market feasibility study. If you are looking to penetrate an existing market in Uganda, there will be businesses already existing and operating in the market whose potential impact on your entry as a new competitor, must be scrutinized.  A market feasibility study in Uganda must therefore include a thorough study of the competition to ascertain the influence they could have on your venture and also identify existing gaps in the industry that could potentially be exploited to gain a competitive advantage. Secondary data as well as mystery shopping are some of the methods that can be used to obtain information required to carry out competitive analysis in Uganda. Mystery shopping and personal visits to rivals may also come in handy in instances where the information required may not be readily accessible to the public via secondary sources.

Whereas the 4 essential components of a market feasibility are applicable to any business regardless of the industry or objectives for conducting the feasibility, it is pertinent that you choose the best market research company in Uganda and Africa, to tailor these components to meet your individual needs.

A market feasibility study is a useful tool that all businesses need to utilize when venturing into new territories to avoid incurring losses and minimize the risk of failure. It avails you with reliable information and insights to make evidence-backed and informed decisions.

Whatever Your Market Research Needs are in Uganda, We Can Help. Call or Visit Today for a Consultation! Let Our Experts Give You the Information You Need. Talk to Uganda’s Expert Market Researchers Today.

Related Blogs

• Search Search Please fill out this field.

What Is a Feasibility Study?

Understanding a feasibility study, how to conduct a feasibility study, the bottom line.

• Business Essentials

Feasibility Study

Investopedia contributors come from a range of backgrounds, and over 25 years there have been thousands of expert writers and editors who have contributed.

Yarilet Perez is an experienced multimedia journalist and fact-checker with a Master of Science in Journalism. She has worked in multiple cities covering breaking news, politics, education, and more. Her expertise is in personal finance and investing, and real estate.

A feasibility study is a detailed analysis that considers all of the critical aspects of a proposed project in order to determine the likelihood of it succeeding.

Success in business may be defined primarily by return on investment , meaning that the project will generate enough profit to justify the investment. However, many other important factors may be identified on the plus or minus side, such as community reaction and environmental impact.

Although feasibility studies can help project managers determine the risk and return of pursuing a plan of action, several steps should be considered before moving forward.

Key Takeaways

• A company may conduct a feasibility study when it’s considering launching a new business, adding a new product line, or acquiring a rival.
• A feasibility study assesses the potential for success of the proposed plan or project by defining its expected costs and projected benefits in detail.
• It’s a good idea to have a contingency plan on hand in case the original project is found to be infeasible.

Lara Antal / Investopedia

A feasibility study is an assessment of the practicality of a proposed plan or project. A feasibility study analyzes the viability of a project to determine whether the project or venture is likely to succeed. The study is also designed to identify potential issues and problems that could arise while pursuing the project.

As part of the feasibility study, project managers must determine whether they have enough of the right people, financial resources, and technology. The study must also determine the return on investment, whether this is measured as a financial gain or a benefit to society, the latter in the case of a nonprofit project.

The feasibility study might include a cash flow analysis, measuring the level of cash generated from revenue vs. the project’s operating costs . A risk assessment must also be completed to determine whether the return is enough to offset the risk of undergoing the venture.

When doing a feasibility study, it’s always good to have a contingency plan that is ready to test as a viable alternative if the first plan fails.

Benefits of a Feasibility Study

There are several benefits to feasibility studies, including helping project managers discern the pros and cons of undertaking a project before investing a significant amount of time and capital into it.

Feasibility studies can also provide a company’s management team with crucial information that could prevent them from entering into a risky business venture.

Such studies help companies determine how they will grow. They will know more about how they will operate, what the potential obstacles are, who the competition is, and what the market is.

Feasibility studies also help convince investors and bankers that investing in a particular project or business is a wise choice.

The exact format of a feasibility study will depend on the type of organization that requires it. However, the same factors will be involved even if their weighting varies.

Preliminary Analysis

Although each project can have unique goals and needs, there are some best practices for conducting any feasibility study:

• Conduct a preliminary analysis, which involves getting feedback about the new concept from the appropriate stakeholders.
• Analyze and ask questions about the data obtained in the early phase of the study to make sure that it’s solid.
• Conduct a market survey or market research to identify the market demand and opportunity for pursuing the project or business.
• Write an organizational, operational, or business plan, including identifying the amount of labor needed, at what cost, and for how long.
• Prepare a projected income statement, which includes revenue, operating costs, and profit .
• Prepare an opening day balance sheet .
• Identify obstacles and any potential vulnerabilities, as well as how to deal with them.
• Make an initial “go” or “no-go” decision about moving ahead with the plan.

Suggested Components

Once the initial due diligence has been completed, the real work begins. Components that are typically found in a feasibility study include the following:

• Executive summary : Formulate a narrative describing details of the project, product, service, plan, or business.
• Technological considerations : Ask what will it take. Do you have it? If not, can you get it? What will it cost?
• Existing marketplace : Examine the local and broader markets for the product, service, plan, or business.
• Marketing strategy : Describe it in detail.
• Required staffing : What are the human capital needs for this project? Draw up an organizational chart.
• Schedule and timeline : Include significant interim markers for the project’s completion date.
• Project financials
• Findings and recommendations : Break down into subsets of technology, marketing, organization, and financials.

Examples of a Feasibility Study

Below are two examples of a feasibility study. The first involves expansion plans for a university. The second is a real-world example conducted by the Washington State Department of Transportation with private contributions from Microsoft Inc.

A University Science Building

Officials at a university were concerned that the science building—built in the 1970s—was outdated. Considering the technological and scientific advances of the last 20 years, they wanted to explore the cost and benefits of upgrading and expanding the building. A feasibility study was conducted.

In the preliminary analysis, school officials explored several options, weighing the benefits and costs of expanding and updating the science building. Some school officials had concerns about the project, including the cost and possible community opposition. The new science building would be much larger, and the community board had earlier rejected similar proposals. The feasibility study would need to address these concerns and any potential legal or zoning issues.

The feasibility study also explored the technological needs of the new science facility, the benefits to the students, and the long-term viability of the college. A modernized science facility would expand the school’s scientific research capabilities, improve its curriculum, and attract new students.

Financial projections showed the cost and scope of the project and how the school planned to raise the needed funds, which included issuing a bond to investors and tapping into the school’s endowment . The projections also showed how the expanded facility would allow more students to be enrolled in the science programs, increasing revenue from tuition and fees.

The feasibility study demonstrated that the project was viable, paving the way to enacting the modernization and expansion plans of the science building.

Without conducting a feasibility study, the school administrators would never have known whether its expansion plans were viable.

A High-Speed Rail Project

The Washington State Department of Transportation decided to conduct a feasibility study on a proposal to construct a high-speed rail that would connect Vancouver, British Columbia, Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. The goal was to create an environmentally responsible transportation system to enhance the competitiveness and future prosperity of the Pacific Northwest.

The preliminary analysis outlined a governance framework for future decision making. The study involved researching the most effective governance framework by interviewing experts and stakeholders, reviewing governance structures, and learning from existing high-speed rail projects in North America. As a result, governing and coordinating entities were developed to oversee and follow the project if it was approved by the state legislature.

A strategic engagement plan involved an equitable approach with the public, elected officials, federal agencies, business leaders, advocacy groups, and Indigenous communities. The engagement plan was designed to be flexible, considering the size and scope of the project and how many cities and towns would be involved. A team of the executive committee members was formed and met to discuss strategies, as well as lessons learned from previous projects, and met with experts to create an outreach framework.

The financial component of the feasibility study outlined the strategy for securing the project’s funding, which explored obtaining funds from federal, state, and private investments. The project’s cost was estimated to be $24 billion to $42 billion. The revenue generated from the high-speed rail system was estimated to be $160 million to $250 million.

The report bifurcated the money sources between funding and financing. Funding referred to grants, appropriations from the local or state government, and revenue. Financing referred to bonds issued by the government, loans from financial institutions, and equity investments, which are essentially loans against future revenue that need to be paid back with interest.

The sources for the capital needed were to vary as the project moved forward. In the early stages, most of the funding would come from the government, and as the project developed, funding would come from private contributions and financing measures. Private contributors included Microsoft Inc.

The benefits outlined in the feasibility report show that the region would experience enhanced interconnectivity, allowing for better management of the population and increasing regional economic growth by $355 billion. The new transportation system would provide people with access to better jobs and more affordable housing. The high-speed rail system would also relieve congested areas from automobile traffic.

The timeline for the study began in 2016, when an agreement was reached with British Columbia to work together on a new technology corridor that included high-speed rail transportation. The feasibility report was submitted to the Washington State Legislature in December 2020.

What Is the Main Objective of a Feasibility Study?

A feasibility study is designed to help decision makers determine whether or not a proposed project or investment is likely to be successful. It identifies both the known costs and the expected benefits.

In business, “successful” means that the financial return exceeds the cost. In a nonprofit, success may be measured in other ways. A project’s benefit to the community it serves may be worth the cost.

What Are the Steps in a Feasibility Study?

A feasibility study starts with a preliminary analysis. Stakeholders are interviewed, market research is conducted, and a business plan is prepared. All of this information is analyzed to make an initial “go” or “no-go” decision.

If it’s a go, the real study can begin. This includes listing the technological considerations, studying the marketplace, describing the marketing strategy, and outlining the necessary human capital, project schedule, and financing requirements.

Who Conducts a Feasibility Study?

A feasibility study may be conducted by a team of the organization’s senior managers. If they lack the expertise or time to do the work internally, it may be outsourced to a consultant.

What Are the 4 Types of Feasibility?

The study considers the feasibility of four aspects of a project:

Technical : A list of the hardware and software needed, and the skilled labor required to make them work

Financial : An estimate of the cost of the overall project and its expected return

Market : An analysis of the market for the product or service, the industry, competition, consumer demand, sales forecasts, and growth projections

Organizational : An outline of the business structure and the management team that will be needed

Feasibility studies help project managers determine the viability of a project or business venture by identifying the factors that can lead to its success. The study also shows the potential return on investment and any risks to the success of the venture.

A feasibility study contains a detailed analysis of what’s needed to complete the proposed project. The report may include a description of the new product or venture, a market analysis, the technology and labor needed, and the sources of financing and capital. The report will also include financial projections, the likelihood of success, and ultimately, a “go” or “no-go” decision.

Washington State Department of Transportation. “ Ultra-High-Speed Rail Study .”

Washington State Department of Transportation. “ Cascadia Ultra High Speed Ground Transportation: Framework for the Future .”

Washington State Department of Transportation. “ Ultra-High-Speed Rail Study: Outcomes .”

Washington State Department of Transportation. “ Ultra-High-Speed Ground Transportation Business Case Analysis ,” Page ii (Page 3 of PDF).

• Terms of Service
• Editorial Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices

• How to Conduct a Feasibility Study the Right Way

Featured in:

All businesses have to critically examine the actions they take, whether the business is just starting out or has been in operation for a while. Establishing the viability of an idea or action can ultimately determine whether a business succeeds or not. The best tool for determining this is by conducting a feasibility study.

© Shutterstock.com | Rawpixel.com

In this guide, we will examine what a feasibility study entails and when it should be used . We’ll then outline the five key elements of a feasibility study and provide you with six steps for conducting one within your organization . Lastly, you’ll see some examples of feasibility studies .

WHAT IS A FEASIBILITY STUDY?

A feasibility study is a study, which is performed by an organization in order to evaluate whether a specific action makes sense from an economic or operational standpoint. The objective of the study is to test the feasibility of a specific action and to determine and define any issues that would argue against this action.

The question a feasibility study essentially tries to answer is: “ Should we proceed with the specific action plan? ” On top of determining whether the plan is viable, organizations can use a feasibility study for understanding the risks better and preparing for them.

It’s important to remember that a feasibility study is not the same as a business plan. A business plan provides a planning function and defines the actions needed to take a business idea into reality, whereas a feasibility study provides an investigation into a specific function and whether it’s viable.

While it’s important to conduct both plans before setting up a company, a business plan should only be conducted once the business has been deemed viable by a feasibility study.

When should a feasibility study be used?

While feasibility studies are typically conducted by business organizations, other organizations can naturally benefit from it as well. Since the study aims to discover whether an action is viable, it can help organizations to avoid costly or operationally exhausting ventures.

The study is typically used in situations where an important strategic decision needs to be taken .

This can vary and some of the example situations include:

• Change in business location
• Purchase of new equipment or software
• Acquisition of another company
• Hiring of additional employees

As mentioned above, a feasibility study is often at the core of launching a business. It can be the key to launching a successful start-up, as it helps to underline the future pain points and to determine whether the plan is viable in the first place.

Overall, a feasibility study is the perfect tool for situations where the impact is likely to be big in terms of operational or economic significance.

David E. Gumpert nailed the essential importance of a feasibility study in his book How to Really Create a Successful Business Plan . When discussing the possible failure of a feasibility study (i.e. the negative result), Gumpert wrote, “ Although [an unsuccessful feasibility study] may appear to be a failure, it’s not. The failure would have been if you had invested your own and others’ money and then lost it due to barriers you failed to research in advance. ”

Finally, you can watch the below video to understand the importance of a feasibility study for business success through a simple example:

CORE ELEMENTS OF A FEASIBILITY STUDY

You’ll need to study the main elements when conducting a feasibility study. While these are often all required for conducting a study, you might sometimes focus mostly on a single element or a combination of a few of them.

#1  Technical feasibility

The first element deals with technical feasibility of the proposed action plan. If your organization is introducing a new product or a service, the technical feasibility study will determine if it’s a technically viable action.

This part of the feasibility study should answer the following questions :

• What is the proposed product or service?
• Is the product or service already on sale? If not, how far is it from an existing marketplace and what will the introduction cost?
• How can you protect the product or service from the competition?
• What are the strengths of the product or service?
• What are the main benefits to customers or users?
• What resources are required for producing or providing it?
• How capable is the organization to acquire these resources?
• What are the regulatory standards surrounding the product or service and its use?

Remember the above questions can be used when you are introducing a new product or launching a business, but also if you are implementing a new product or service within your organization. For instance, if you are introducing new software, you must understand the strengths of it, as well as the resources required for implementing it.

#2  Market feasibility

The second element focuses on testing the market for the proposed action or idea. It examines issues like whether the product or service can be sold at reasonable prices or if there’s a marketplace for it.

Market feasibility should answer the following questions :

• What market segments are you targeting?
• Why would people buy the product or service?
• Who are the potential customers and how many of them are there?
• What are the buying patterns of these potential customers?
• How will you sell the product or service? Where?
• Who are your competitors? Including past, current and future competitors.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors?
• What is your product or service’s competitive edge?

The above essentially points out to the importance of conducting market research as part of your feasibility study. Market feasibility is an important part of a feasibility study when the plan of action deals with issues such as business expansion, new product or service launch, product development and starting up a business.

#3  Commercial feasibility

Commercial feasibility is an element of the study focused on the probability of commercial success. It’s mainly focused on studying the new business or a new product or service, and whether your organization can create enough profit with it.

The questions that require answering as part of the commercial feasibility study include:

• What are the strengths and weaknesses of your business?
• What are the potential sales volumes of the product or service?
• What is the pricing structure you’ll use?
• What are the sensitivity points for your business in terms of sales?
• What is the ROI ?

Furthermore, if you are conducting a feasibility study as part of launching a business , you also need to answer the following questions:

• How long can your business survive without a sale?
• How long before you break even with the product or service?
• How much money is required to start operating?
• Will your organization require external finance?

While the above points are mainly important for new businesses, any organization can benefit from thinking about them when launching a new operation.

For example, if you are adding a new product line to your business, you should use the above questions as a guide to understanding the implications to your other operations and the financial viability of the new product.

#4 Overall risk assessment

The fourth element focuses on the major risks the proposed plan can entail. The overall risk assessment part of a feasibility study examines the different ways your organization can reduce the risk of embarking on the new action.

The overall risk assessment should answer the following questions :

• What are the major risks associated with the operation?
• What is the survival outlook for each of the above risks?
• How sensitive are the profits?
• What are the best ways to minimize these risks?

The aim is to try to cover all the possibilities and create a risk assessment map, which deals with the probability of the risk and the impact it would have on the business. It’s aimed at recognizing the risks that can make or break your business from the smaller, more manageable risks.

For instance, consider your business is conducting a feasibility study in order to hire a new employee. One risk might deal with the possibility the hire is an inadequate fit and leaves after six month trial period. But your risk assessment might show that while the risk of this is relatively high, the survivability of your business doesn’t depend on it. For example, the cost of a bad hire could be low due to your recruitment strategy or the position not being essential for operations.

This is how you can create your own risk assessment map .

[slideshare id=1707548&doc=riskmanagementframework-090710200059-phpapp01&w=640&h=330]

In addition, if you are launching a new business, the overall risk assessment should also consider one final question. Answering the question “ When can your business be able to support you and itself without extra financing? ” is an important part of a feasibility study. Self-sufficiency is crucial for business success, as having to borrow can hinder the long-term survivability of your business.

#5 Feasibility of purchasing an existing business

The final essential element of a feasibility study is not necessarily relevant to every business. Nonetheless, it is an important aspect to keep in mind, as it deals with the impact of acquiring a new business. This is not only relevant to new businesses, as your organization might acquire a new business as part of its growth strategy.

The purpose of this final element is to study whether purchasing an existing business is a sound investment to make. It requires your organization to answer questions such as :

• Why is the current owner selling the business?
• What is the business’ performance? If it’s poor, what are the reasons behind it?
• What is the competition like?
• What is the valuation of the assets included in the sale?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of the current business location? Is your organization continuing operations in the same premises or not? Why?

STEPS TO CONDUCTING A FEASIBILITY STUDY

Now that we’ve examined the different core elements of a feasibility study, we can look at the steps you need to take in order to conduct a feasibility study.

Step 1: Conduct preliminary analysis

A feasibility study can be a time-consuming process and it doesn’t come without its costs. It’s therefore auspicious to start by conducting preliminary analysis . This is essentially a pre-screening of the proposed action and it examines whether a proper feasibility assessment is worth the time and money.

For example, before you conduct a feasibility study on the viability of acquiring a business, you want to check quickly the overall attainability of the action. If the acquisition is so risky that it could bankrupt your business, there’s no reason for conducting a proper feasibility study.

Preliminary assessment should consist of the following steps:

• First, you want to outline the planned idea or action . This means looking at what you are looking to achieve and why.
• Second, you should examine the market space and the commercial viability of the action . You want to get an overall feel of what type of customers are you potentially attracting.
• Third, you should examine the unique characteristics of the idea and whether they are strength or a weakness. The idea or action might have certain unique characteristics (i.e. location, price, usability) and these might help your organization.
• Fourth, you need to determine if there are insurmountable risks to the action . It’s essential to outline any risks that could possibly reduce the viability of the action or idea close to zero.

Keep in mind the above is just to get an overall feel of the idea. You don’t need to conduct full market research at this point, but simply understand whether there’s any kind of space for the action within the market.

If your preliminary analysis doesn’t find any insurmountable obstacles and the commercial viability is possibly there, you can continue with the proper feasibility study.

Step 2: Outlining the project scope and conducting current analysis

Next, you should move on to outlining the project scope by defining the area of study for the feasibility study. Do you need to look at all five elements of the study, for example?

The scope must be detailed and outline the objectives of the feasibility study clearly. It’s a good idea to examine the above five elements in terms of your action or idea and create an action plan for each section that applies to the project.

It’s essential to study the different parts of your business that might be influenced by the proposed action or idea, even when you aren’t proposing something that impacts the whole business directly (i.e. launching a new product, acquiring a business or starting a business). Actions, such as hiring new personnel to a single department, can sometimes have an impact on sectors that might not immediately seem obvious.

The key to outlining the scope is about understanding the different participants and end-users of the proposed idea or action. For instance, if you are moving the business to new premises, you have to understand the impact it’ll have on the workforce (change in commute can an impact on employee morale, etc.) and the customer (will all customers follow your business to a new location, etc.).

Finally, you also need to analyze the current situation prior to the implementation of the idea or action. You can do so by describing the weaknesses and strengths of the business. Once you’ve done this, you can study the savings and the operational benefits you are hoping to achieve with the new proposal.

Step 3: Comparing your proposal with existing products/services

You’ll also need to research the current competitive landscape in order to understand whether the proposed idea or action is viable. Whether you are implementing a new software or equipment or launching your own new product, you need to compare the proposed product or service with other similar items on the market.

This might mean you need to compare the feasibility of your chosen software (for example, accounting platform) with other products on the market. What are the benefits of your proposed choice and what are the weaknesses? Are the risks associated with your chosen software smaller or bigger than those of competitive products?

The same analysis applies when launching a new product. Part of your feasibility study must then focus on understanding what the customers are looking for and whether your proposed idea answers these needs. You should also compare the proposed product with the existing products or services and focus on the advantages, as well as disadvantages, you might have.

Learn more about Porter’s five forces in this video.

Step 4: Examining the market conditions

You also need to examine the market conditions. There are four specific points when it comes to the analyzing market in terms of feasibility.

• Defining the target market.
• Studying the buying habits of the target market.
• Understanding the sale and market share outlook of the proposal.
• Outlining the product awareness required for the use of your product or service.

The main goal of this part of the feasibility study is to understand the revenue projection for implementing the proposed idea or action. You want to have a realistic understanding of the kind of sale numbers you can expect and the scope of the promotional activities you are required to undertake.

For example, in terms of product or service awareness, you must be able to determine the type of marketing required for potential customers to understand and be able to use the item.

Step 5: Understanding the financial costs

One of the most important steps for concluding a feasibility study involves calculating the financial costs related to the proposal. No matter what type of idea or action your organization is considering, the financial cost of it can be the major point in determining its viability.

The first rule of any successful business is the need to have income or it goes bust. Therefore, any action your organization takes has to examine the impact it’ll have on the income and profit of the business.

The financial costs associated with your proposed idea or action will naturally depend on the proposal. But you have to consider the following points in all instances:

• The resources required to implement the idea or action.
• The source for these resources: internal or external financing.
• The realistic benefits of the idea or action , whether it’s sales figures, boost in productivity, or a cut in operational costs.
• The break-even schedule for the proposal . This refers to the time it takes to a point when the profits from the idea or action equal the costs associated with it.
• The financial risks associated with the idea or action . This can refer to risky market conditions, the probability of requiring more resources and so on.
• The financial cost of failure . You also need to calculate the financial cost of the worst-case scenario. This can determine whether your business has the means of embarking on this new venture or not.

The likelihood of having to use estimates in the above calculations is relatively high. It’s important to conduct proper research and to be as realistic with your figures as possible. After all, positive surprises (for example, exceeding sales figures) are not difficult to manage, unlike overly positive calculations that turn out wrong.

Step 6: Reviewing and analysing data

Finally, you need to review your feasibility study carefully and examine the findings with time. A good rule of thumb is to simply take a step back and reflect on the research before jumping into conclusions.

After your study, look around and consider the following questions :

• Are there any risks you weren’t aware of previously?
• Have the market conditions changed?
• Has the competition changed?
• Is your business situation still the same, in terms of operations and economic situation?

If the conditions have changed, you can review these parts of the feasibility study. Once you’ve reviewed your results, you can go ahead with the final decision. The feasibility study should provide you the answer of either moving ahead with the proposed idea or action, or scrapping the idea and looking for something different.

EXAMPLES OF FEASIBILITY STUDIES

Use the following examples as inspirations for your own feasibility study.

Feasibility study for setting up a bakery .

[slideshare id=28843825&doc=feasibilitystudy-131203075213-phpapp02&type=d&w=640&h=330]

Feasibility study for setting up a water refilling station .

[slideshare id=40064756&doc=alphaedit-141009073249-conversion-gate02&type=d&w=640&h=330]

Feasibility study for setting up a poultry business .

[slideshare id=41782939&doc=feasibilitystudyaboutchicken-141119201619-conversion-gate02&type=d&w=640&h=330]

Comments are closed.

Related posts

Understanding Business Valuation and Multiples for Startups

We cannot just randomly assign numbers on how much a business is valued at, or how much an owner’s …

Understanding the Scarcity Principle in Marketing

If you have ever sat in an introductory economics class at some point in your life, you might be …

HelloFresh | Online food retailer

HelloFresh is a fresh food delivery service that provides recipes, instructions and ingredients …

408,000 + job opportunities

Not yet a member? Sign Up

join cleverism

Find your dream job. Get on promotion fasstrack and increase tour lifetime salary.

Post your jobs & get access to millions of ambitious, well-educated talents that are going the extra mile.

First name*

Company name*

Company Website*

E-mail (work)*

Login or Register

Password reset instructions will be sent to your E-mail.

What is a Feasibility Study, and How Can Surveys Help?

• Survey Tips

What is a Feasibility Study?

Feasibility studies are designed to answer a very simple question: Is this idea feasible?

While simple on the surface, finding an answer to that question often involves considerable investigative energy into many different areas.

From existing competitors to financial options to technical and production considerations, there are dozens of factors affecting the feasibility of any new venture.

In this guide we’ll explore the appropriate times to run a feasibility study, what your final report on your findings should include, who’s best suited to run a this analysis, and how surveys can help you answer some of the most pressing feasibility questions.

The Right Time to Conduct a Feasibility Study

Regardless of your confidence in your new product or your brilliant idea, it’s always a good idea to investigate its real world feasibility before you invest too much time or money.

All new businesses should conduct a feasibility study before starting production and/or going to market, and most established companies conduct them in advance of new product launches.

These types of reports can also offer the hard data necessary to make hard decisions about the future direction of a company or product. If you have internal disagreement about the next steps for your marketing, development, or expansion, a feasibility study can settle it with unbiased information.

Ready to Factor in Feasibility?

When You Don’t Need a Feasibility Study

In order to save money and time, and often to simply go to market faster, entrepreneurs may choose to forego running a feasibility study. This can pay off with being the first into an emerging market, or it can backfire if a new company encounters unexpected obstacles.

Some common reasons that you might want to bypass this type of exploration:

• Founders or entrepreneurs know the new venture is feasible based on their own experience or on a similar business model that is currently successful.
• You’re still confident in the results from your most recent study and don’t think there have been enough changes to warrant a new one.
• The costs in both money and time prohibit completing a full feasibility analysis.

Key Components of a Feasibility Study

A feasibility study can cover a wide variety of topics that might have an impact on your new venture, but most fall into one or more of these categories.

Do you have proprietary technology on which your launch depends? Might new technology emerge that would affect your product?

Consider existing and future economic conditions that might impact your market’s ability or willingness to purchase your product or service, along with any sources of initial cash flow.

This is where to investigate existing patents, copyrights, or other restrictions that might affect your idea.

Do you need a store front? Employees? Letterhead? Make note of the costs of all your operating costs.

If you need to release your product at a particular time of year, or before an event, make sure to take these restrictions into account.

Marketability

Marketability is an extremely broad category that could include:

• Competitors
• Level of demand
• Unoccupied niches
• Target markets, including specific demographics and purchasing habits
• Physical vs. online marketing

How to Get Data Resulting from a Feasibility Study

By far the quickest way to get going is to hire a consultant to run the study from start to finish and report on their findings. While tempting, this option is probably out of the question for all but the best-funded startups.

You’ll also need to include the costs of the feasibility report itself in your economic factors, and doing so might push businesses that were just barely profitable in their early stages into the red.

On the other hand, if you barrel forward without data you risk losing initial capital investments. Many investors will also refuse to entertain your proposals without this type of information, so it may be a non-negotiable expense.

The good news is that with secondary market research data widely available and lots of handy survey templates like this one out there, you can do a lot of the leg work yourself and reduce the overhead while still getting great feasibility data.

Using Surveys in a Feasibility Study to Understand Your Marketability

You need to reach out to your target market to learn as much as possible about the people who you hope are going to be paying for your product or service, and surveys are by far the best way to do this.

Running a survey of your potential customers might even reveal dissatisfaction with particular products or features that you could exploit, changing your feasibility prospects from questionable to positive.

Sample Format for a Feasibility Study Report

Once you have your data, you need to collect it into an easy-to-ready, digestible document that clearly demonstrates how your idea will some day rule the world (or is at least initially doable).

Feasibility study reports should include at least these sections, though you may need to add additional details to cover your particular niche or idea:

Executive Summary

The high level points and overview of the data you’ll be exploring later. Cover all the most important details, because lots of readers won’t get beyond this part.

Defining Your Idea

Here’s where you go into detail about your product, service, company, app, or whatever you’re investigating. Differentiating factors and unique value proposition belong here, as do any existing hurdles like products with similar names or functionality.

Market Analysis

All your primary and secondary survey data goes on display in this section, from competitive analysis to buyer behavior to market segmentation. The existence of strong markets is vital to your success, so many reports spend a lot of time on this section.

Profitability and Operating Costs

If you can estimate when you’ll likely be turning a profit, do so in this section. You should also include details about what it will cost to run your operation on a day to day basis, and what sort of margins you can expect in the short, medium, and long terms.

Conclusions and Recommendations

So…is it feasible? Pull all your data together to answer the big question.

Example Questions from a Feasibility Survey

If you were investigating the feasibility of a new wireless security camera, you might ask different segments of your audience questions like these to clarify their buying habits and position yourself in the market.

Is a Feasibility Study…Feasible?

Tackling a full blown feasibility study can feel daunting, but once you’ve invested the time for designing, collecting, analyzing, and reporting on all the data it can perform a wide variety of functions in a growing business.

Whether it’s a presentation to venture capital firms, writing a professional business plan, or guiding your early marketing efforts, this data will be invaluable. Take the time to do it right, and feasibility studies will become not just feasible, but maybe even enjoyable.

See all blog posts >

• Customer Feedback , Digital Transformation

• Alchemer Survey , Survey Tips

• Alchemer Pulse , Customer Experience

See it in Action

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies
• 3rd Party Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!