A feasibility study before investing will help you to determine the profitability of a business venture. Before starting or expanding a business, it is imperative that entrepreneurs & investors check the feasibility of the venture. Feasibility study helps to analyze the viability of the business and the chances of having successful business outcomes. Business managers make use of feasibility studies to evaluate the positive & negative aspects of a new business. This is performed to find out whether their time &money is worth investing or not.

The success of a business is dependent upon financial, legal, technological factors and available resources. A feasibility study will calculate the approximate return on investment. This procedure can also be used to find out the various challenges, threats and unforeseen circumstances that might affect the business in future.

Feasibility studies also forms a part of marketing strategies as it can be used to convince investors or banks to invest in the business.

Following are a few factors that can be determined by performing a feasibility study:

• Amount of capital required to launch the business
• Budget plan & working capital to operate business
• Number of employees required and their pay scale
• Machinery/Equipments required and their specifications
• Logistical problems & all other business-related problems
• Approximate timelines for project launch & establishment

Let’s have a look at the important components of a Feasibility Study:

Description – consists of the business plan & layout, products or services offered & their application

Organizational Feasibility – a detailed study about the management, company background/history, legal framework and organizational competencies.

Market Feasibility – a brief about the industry, market demand, potential competitors, sales data, etc

Financial Feasibility– data regarding amount of capital required, sources & ROI

Technical Feasibility –details on services/products, logistics and required materials & resources.

Environmental & Cultural Feasibility – a study about the impact of business on the environment and local culture should be performed

Feasibility study report

A feasibility study report is prepared to during the feasibility study. Extensive research & analysis is conducted to carry out the study. A typical feasibility report may contain the following factors:

1. Project description

Introduction, Industry profile, Business goals, Application of the product/service, Market survey, Competitors, etc

2. Details of manpower & technical layout
3. Production volume, sales prices, area of distribution, market shares, etc
4. Marketing plans – national/global
5. Critical factors that affect profitability & innovative approaches
6. Finances required for business & their sources – capital funds, operations costs, total costs, cost of fixed assets, etc
7. Important financial documents – cash flow statement, balance sheet, depreciation chart, etc
8. Legal requirements and tax obligations.
9. Details of raw materials & their sourcing
10. Technical challenges and impacts on the environment
11. Time chart for project implementation & completion (if applicable)

The main objective of a feasibility study is to determine significant problems that may occur during the business process and possibility of alleviating these obstacles to successfully pursue the venture. If you are planning to launch a new business or expand your existing business, approach a good financial consultant who can conduct a feasibility study.

 

---