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PDLC and feasibility study
Short answer
The feasibility study happens in the formulation phase of the Project Development Life Cycle. It defines the problem, collects data, identifies alternatives, and analyzes technical, economic, operational, schedule, and legal feasibility. It evaluates risks, compares options, and gives a go/no-go recommendation in a feasibility report.
What do you mean by Project Development Life cycle? How is the feasibility study carried out in it?
The Project Development Life Cycle (PDLC) is the sequence of phases that a project follows from idea to operation: identification, formulation (feasibility), appraisal, planning, implementation and termination/operation. The feasibility study is carried out in the formulation phase to decide whether the project is worth doing.
Idea -> Pre-feasibility -> Feasibility -> Appraisal
-> Planning -> Implementation -> Close/Operate
How a feasibility study is carried out
- Define the problem and objectives from the project idea or need.
- Collect data: interviews, surveys, market data, existing system study, expert opinion.
- Identify alternatives: different technologies, vendors, locations or build-versus-buy choices.
- Analyse each type of feasibility
| Type | Question |
|---|---|
| Technical | Is the technology and skill available? |
| Economic / financial | Do the benefits exceed costs? Use payback, NPV, ROI, IRR |
| Operational | Will users accept it and will it fit procedures? |
| Schedule | Can it finish within the time allowed? |
| Legal | Does it follow laws, licences and regulations? |
| Market / social / environmental | Is there demand, and what is the impact? |
- Evaluate risks and assumptions.
- Compare alternatives and choose the best.
- Prepare the feasibility report with findings, cost estimate, schedule, risks and a clear recommendation: go, no-go or revise.
- Present to decision makers (sponsor, steering committee) for approval.
Importance
Prevents investing in a project that will fail, gives early estimates and forms the base of the project charter and plan.
Example: For an online exam system at a university, technical feasibility checks servers and bandwidth, economic feasibility compares licence costs with the saving in printing and invigilation, and operational feasibility checks teacher and student readiness.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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