Feasibility Reports

When the managers of a company or an organization plan to undertake a new project

(such as a move, the development of a new product, an expansion, or the purchase of new
equipment) they try to determine the project’s chances for success. A feasibility report
documents the study conducted to help them make this determination. This report
presents evidence about the practicality of the proposed project: How much will it cost/ Is
sufficient personnel available? Are any legal or other special requirements necessary?
Based on the evidence, the writer of the feasibility report recommends whether or not the
project should be carried out. Management then considers the recommendation and
makes the decision.

Before beginning to write a feasibility report, state clearly and concisely the purpose of
the study. In a feasibility report, the scope should include the alternatives for
accomplishing the purpose of the study and the criteria by which each alternative will be
examined.

In writing a feasibility report, you must first identify the alternatives and then evaluate
each against your established criteria. After completing these analyses, summarize them
in a conclusion. This summary of relative strengths and weaknesses usually points to one
alternative as the best or most feasible. Make your recommendation on the basis of this
conclusion.

Every feasibility report should contain the following sections: (1) an introduction, (2) a
body, (3) a conclusion, and (4) a recommendation.

Introduction
The introduction should state the purpose of the report, describe the problems that led to
the report, and include any pertinent background information. You may also discuss the
scope or extent of the report in the introduction and any procedures or methods used in
the analyses of alternatives. Any limitations on the study should be noted here as well.

Body
The body of the report should present a detailed evaluation of all alternatives under
consideration. Evaluate each alternative according to your established criteria. Ordinarily,
each evaluation would comprise a separate section of the body of the report.

Conclusion
The conclusion should summarize the evaluation of all alternatives, usually in the order
discussed in the body of the report.

Recommendation
This section presents the alternative that best meets the criteria.

Source: Brusaw, C. T., Alred, G. J., Oliu, W. E. (1996). The Concise Handbook for
Technical Writing. New York: St. Martin’s Press.