feasibility study
B2Formal / Technical
Definition
Meaning
An assessment of whether a proposed project, plan, or product is practical, achievable, and worth pursuing.
A formal analysis conducted before the start of a project to investigate its potential for success, evaluating factors like cost, time, required resources, legal requirements, and potential obstacles.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A noun phrase used as a singular compound noun. It implies a systematic, often written, preliminary investigation. The focus is on practicality, not just possibility.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is standard in professional contexts in both regions.
Connotations
Associated with project management, business planning, engineering, and government policy. Connotes diligence, caution, and a structured approach.
Frequency
Equally common and essential in professional and academic contexts in both the UK and US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] conducted a feasibility study on [Project].A feasibility study for [Project] was undertaken by [Agent].The decision was based on the findings of the feasibility study.Before proceeding, we need to carry out a feasibility study.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(not applicable as a technical term)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Standard practice for evaluating new ventures, expansions, or major purchases. 'The board will not approve the merger without a full feasibility study.'
Academic
Used in research methodology, especially in applied sciences, engineering, and business dissertations. 'The first chapter outlines the feasibility study for the proposed urban renewal model.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used when discussing major personal projects like home extensions. 'We're getting a feasibility study done to see if we can build a loft conversion.'
Technical
A formal project management phase. Key in engineering, construction, software development, and public policy. 'The environmental impact assessment is part of the overall feasibility study.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council is *feasibility-studying* the new park proposal. (rare, informal)
American English
- We need to *feasibility-study* that concept before the meeting. (rare, informal)
adjective
British English
- The *feasibility-study* phase is now complete.
American English
- We are in the *feasibility-study* stage of the project.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The company did a study. It was a feasibility study.
- Before building the bridge, the engineers completed a feasibility study.
- The feasibility study concluded that the marketing plan was viable but would require significant initial investment.
- Notwithstanding the optimistic projections, the feasibility study identified several regulatory hurdles that could jeopardise the entire initiative.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'FEASIBILITY = Can it be done? STUDY = We look into it.' So, a 'feasibility study' is when you 'study' if it can be 'feasibly' done.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PROJECT IS A JOURNEY. The feasibility study is the map and weather check before you set off.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'study' as 'учёба' (learning/education). It means 'исследование' or 'изучение' here.
- The word 'feasibility' is often best translated as 'целесообразность' or 'осуществимость', not just 'возможность' (possibility).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'possibility study' (incorrect).
- Treating it as an adjective, e.g., 'feasibility-study report' (hyphen is often used attributively).
- Confusing it with a 'business plan' (which is more detailed and comes later).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a feasibility study?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A feasibility study is a preliminary investigation to see if a project is viable. A business plan is a detailed roadmap created after the decision to proceed, outlining how the project will be executed and managed.
It can be conducted by internal teams, but is often outsourced to specialist consultants, engineers, or analysts to ensure objectivity and expertise.
Common components include: technical feasibility, economic/financial feasibility, legal feasibility, operational feasibility, and scheduling/timing feasibility.
Yes, though informally. Any preliminary checking of practicality for a significant undertaking, like renovating a house, could be called a 'feasibility study'.