This mini-lesson explains the feasibility study — how designers judge whether a proposal is technically, economically and commercially viable before committing resources, using tools like break-even, SWOT and PESTLE.
Work through each screen, answer the questions as you go and collect ⭐ stars. Press Start when you’re ready.
Overview
What is a feasibility study?
A feasibility study is carried out before committing money and time to a project. It asks two questions — "can we make this?" and "should we?" — to reduce the risk of a costly failure. The outcome is a clear go / no-go recommendation.
Dimensions
What is assessed
A thorough study weighs several dimensions:
Technical — do we have the materials, processes, technology and skills?
Economic / financial — cost, funding, break-even and return on investment.
Market — is there real demand and who are the competitors?
Scheduling — can it be delivered in the available time?
?Why does a company run a feasibility study before starting full development?
Technical
Technical feasibility
Technical feasibility checks whether the idea can actually be built with current capability: are the required materials available, do we have the manufacturing processes and machinery, and do staff have the skills? A prototype often proves the concept.
Economic
Economic feasibility & break-even
Economic feasibility compares costs with likely returns. A key tool is the break-even point — the number of units that must be sold to cover all costs:
break-even = fixed costs ÷ (price − variable cost)(price − variable cost) is the contribution per unit
Calculate
Your turn — break-even
∑A product has fixed costs of £5000. Each unit sells for £25 and costs £15 in materials and labour (variable cost). How many units must be sold to break even?
Market feasibility asks whether people will actually buy the product. It uses primary research (surveys, interviews, focus groups) and secondary research (existing reports, competitor analysis) to size the target market, identify a gap and understand rivals.
Quick check
Which is market feasibility?
?Which activity forms part of assessing market feasibility?
Tools
SWOT and PESTLE
SWOT — internal Strengths and Weaknesses, external Opportunities and Threats.
SWOT looks at the business and its position; PESTLE scans the wider environment the business operates in.
Quick check
SWOT or PESTLE?
?A new environmental regulation could affect a product launch. Which analysis tool captures this external factor?
Match it
Match feasibility type to its question
Tap a feasibility dimension, then tap the question it answers.
Term
Match
Sort it
Sort the considerations
Tap a consideration, then tap the feasibility type it belongs to.
🔧 Technical
💷 Economic
📊 Market
Outcome
The outcome
A feasibility study ends with a recommendation: proceed, modify or stop. It may propose a prototype to prove the concept and a costed plan. This evidence-based decision protects the business from investing in an unworkable idea.
Recap
The big ideas to know
Purpose: judge viability before spending — reduce the risk of failure.