Feasibility reports

What is a feasibility report? A feasibility report assesses if an idea or plan is practical based on specific criteria. Variety of feasibility reporting: memo  formal report stand alone  part of a formal document Different lengths and levels of detail depend on audience and purpose. Feasibility reports assess if an idea or plan is practical, that is, likely to succeed, based on specific criteria. FRs can appear in a variety of ways, from the simple memo to a formal report. They can stand alone or be part of a formal document, such as a proposal. The different lengths and level of detail depend on the audience and purpose.

Feasibility analysis What is the problem and what is the most practical way to deal with it? Is this course of action likely to succeed? What are the pros and cons? What are the alternatives? Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks or risks? Should anything be done at all? Should we wait? Is the timing right? FRs analyze the effectiveness of a solution to a problem. They answer questions such as: Is this course of action likely to succeed? What are the pros and cons? What are the alternatives? Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks or risks? Should anything be done at all? Should we wait? Is the timing right?

Analysis criteria Establish analytical criteria and apply in a methodical way. Criteria can be defined by those who request the feasibility analysis or developed out of audience expectation. In order to analyze an idea’s practicality, you must have criteria with which to measure that practicality. For example, if I want to purchase a new computer, I will decide which machine is most feasible based on certain criteria. The criteria will be laid out methodically as well, what is important? What is not? For the computer, criteria such as speed, memory, or cost might be important, but color or manufacturer may not be. (Or possibly vice versa. Maybe color or manufacturer is important to me!) Criteria can be defined by those who request the analysis or developed out of audience expectation. For example, a school board might employ someone to buy computers for students to use at school. The school board might insist then that the machines are innovative, easy to use, and inexpensive. That is an example of how the requesting party decides criteria. But maybe the school board expects the person they hired to know what needs are important and for that person to come up with other criteria, such as storage capacity and peripherals such as USB ports or other kinds of connections.

Here is the title and abstract for a feasibility study published as an academic article in a peer-reviewed journal. It assesses the practicality of using wireless mobile devices to collect behavior information. In the abstract, the criteria are listed immediately: compliance, technical success, user preferences, and cost.

In fact, the specific, detailed results of this study are listed by criteria. The conclusion gives a general assessment, then reminds the audience of how that fits the criteria. The study finds that wireless mobile devices are a useful tool for behavior assessment. The users preferred these tools and found them simple to use, so enough people complied with the study and recorded their behavior. The technology also proved to be successful and has the capability to become even more so in the future.

Here is an example of a report that calls itself a FR, but is actually a proposal in its entirety. This is common occurrence. FRs are often part of a proposal, like here, but true FRs don’t lay out a plan for action; they just report on the practicality of a plan or idea. The executive summary begins by offering the proposal. Later, the report lists the questions the feasibility analysis will answer. First, what is the problem and how can it be solved. Then, can this solution actually work. Finally, will this solution also work for the future needs? So the criteria for the plan are basically: 1)able to use gravity to transmit a sufficient volume of water and 2)able to continue working based on population projections in 10 years. The report’s conclusion responds to these criteria. It is possible to use gravity to transmit a sufficient volume of water. And it is possible to work for the population in 2015 based on certain conditions.

Elements of effective analysis clearly identified problem or purpose adequate but not excessive data for level of detail expected and necessary for understanding accurate and balanced data fully interpreted data – don’t just list your findings, explain what they mean! no personal bias appropriate, useful visuals valid conclusions with recommendations Let’s return to the example of getting a new computer in order to illustrate the elements of an effective analysis of each criteria. I ask my computer-savvy friend to help. First, we clearly identify the problem: I need a mobile computer that has lots of internal memory, a long battery life, and a certain size. I need adequate but not excessive data to analyze my choices. That data also needs to be accurate and balanced and my friend needs to explain what they mean. She tells me that laptop X has 640 GB of memory, a 6-cell lithium ion battery, and a 14” screen. She explains how much 640 GB is in a way that I can understand it (since I’m her audience), the advantages and disadvantages of the battery, and how that size screen will affect me and my needs. She avoids personal bias. She knows a lot about computers and prefers Macs, but since she knows I am looking for a PC, she will refrain from comparing them to Macs. She would use appropriate, useful visuals such as a table comparing information. Finally, she would offer valid conclusions and recommend whether or not laptop X is feasible for my needs.

structural elements of the feasibility report have a clear subject  title include background, if needed provide a recommendation early support with details, data, criteria explain why your recommendation is the most feasible end with a call to action In the workplace, a feasibility report will have certain structural elements. It is focused on a particular subject and the title reflects that. Remember the first example report from this lecture? Its title is VERY specific. It needs to be. Include background information if needed. In that report, for example, the authors go over how information about behavior is collected for research since they are assessing a new way. Provide a recommendation early. We saw this the second example. Support with details, data, and criteria. Explain why your recommendation is the most feasible. End with a call to action. Be careful not to make this a proposal, however. Remember the conclusion of the first example? It suggests that wireless MDs are practical tools for behavior research, thus fulfilling the report’s purpose to assess feasibility.

elements of a formal report Front matter letter of transmittal executive summary title page Table of Contents List of Figures, List of Tables abstract back matter Let’s take a look at some elements of a formal report that may be included in a formal feasibility report. To illustrate these elements, we’ll be looking at a feasibility report and proposal for an entertainment facility in Saskatchewan. Front matter are the materials that come before the actual report and back matter are the materials that come after it. A letter of transmittal accompanies the report to introduce it and its purpose. An executive summary is a brief compilation of the report’s purpose and findings focused towards an administrative audience. The title page, table of contents and lists of figures or tables are also included in the front matter. An abstract is a brief summary of the report. Unlike the executive summary, it is intended for the report’s original audience, which includes a variety of people involved, not just administrators. Back Matter can consist of: a glossary, which explains terminology; appendices, which include ancillary materials; and the bibliography. Depending on conventions, the bibliographic material may be incorporated in the document such as in footnotes, for example. Remember, these are all possible elements to be included in formal reports. You might not find ALL of them in one document. glossary appendices bibliography