Feasibility Studies - Preparation, Analysis and Evaluation Course

This course provides professionals a firm basis to determine whether the project has sufficient merit to continue into more detailed phase. This is achieved by means of a feasibility study. A well-developed feasibility study is an essential foundation to allow project analysis and design activities to commence in a focused manner. It either refines a business case by examining the range of possible options and potential issues or forms a basis for its development.

Feasibility studies address issues that could influence the success of a potential project and assess the advantages and disadvantages of each option so they can be ranked. The end product of the study is a clear, concise report which presents the proposed project’s objectives, with conclusions and recommendations for the next phase.

OBJECTIVES

• Employ individual leadership performance by identifying methods of completing feasibility studies
• Discover effective project planning for feasibility studies for individuals and teams
• Examine project management techniques to plan and organize feasibility studies
• Use stakeholder management to involve stakeholders in feasibility studies
• Apply useful planning, organization and people management skills

CONTENT

Planning a Feasibility Study

• Introductions, course purpose, goals and objectives
• What are feasibility studies and why are they important?
• Feasibility studies: definitions, principles and concepts
• Identifying where a feasibility study occurs in a project plan
• Creating and protecting ‘value’
• Understanding the business need

Considering the Options

• Distinguishing between needs and wants
• Performing an options analysis
• Creative thinking and problem solving
• Consideration of the risks and opportunities

The Risk Assessment

• The risk management process and application
• Identifying and assessing the risks of the preferred option
• Identifying and managing key stakeholders 
• Establishing the cost estimate
• Contingency determination

The Feasibility Assessment and Evaluation

• Determining the most feasible option
• Financial analysis techniques
• Non discounting methods
• Discounting methods
• Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return

Preparing the Report

• Developing the feasibility report 
• Understand the characteristics of proper communication
• Identifying how interpersonal relationships ensure successful feasibility studies
• Real case feasibility study review and analysis
• Summary, key messages and learning outcomes

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

The training methodology combines lectures, discussions, group exercises and illustrations. Participants will gain both theoretical and practical knowledge of the topics. The emphasis is on the practical application of the topics and as a result participant will go back to the workplace with both the ability and the confidence to apply the techniques learned to their duties.