Project Feasibility Report Template from Method123
Posted on April 15, 2008
Filed Under Feasibility Study, Analysis & Reports
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Feasibility reports, like business plans, can differ in structure and content depending on the purpose of the document. Unfortunately that can make the learning curve feel rather steep the first time you approach the task. When there is no hard and fast rule, how do you know what is a good example and what is inadequate?
Not only that, but … how do you know that the product on sale is going to be adequate for your needs? This is especially difficult with information products available online because you can’t pick the product up off the shelf and inspect it.
That’s why I decided to review the Method123 Project Feasibility Template that you may have seen. I feel that it is important for my readers to have a good idea of whether this is a product they want to purchase or not. Of course, Method123 have a good description of the product on their site; but I thought my readers might like another opinion.
The template can be purchased and downloaded by itself, or as a part of the Project Management Kit and the Project Management Methodology & Process Kit.
The template itself is a 12 page Word document, with layout already set up. Headers and graphics are automatically in the template, but can be removed if desired.
- The first page is a cover page
- The second page is a document control page, with tables set up for document identification (author, id, issue date, and so on), version tracking, and a sign off sheet for the most likely responsible parties.
- Next is a dynamic contents page that will insert/adjust the appropriate page numbers as you add information to the document.
- At this stage the document includes a page of general information about feasibility studies - what they should include, when it should be used, and how to use the template itself.
- Then the template begins the report proper, with headings, subheadings and brief description of what information should be entered in each section.
- Under the Feasibility Assessment heading, a helpful flowchart is provided illustrating the process that should be followed to ensure an objective study. Then the template outlines points that should be included under the subheadings of Option 1: description, assessment, results, risks, issues and assumptions. Under risks, issues and assumptions a few generic points are listed, with suggested likelihood, impact and mitigating actions. The tables can easily be extended for the writer to input project specific data. The template includes space for three alternatives, but could easily be extended by copy/pasting those headings underneath, or shortened by deleting them of course.
- Then the template leads the writer through a Feasibility Ranking process (which in other places I have called Feasibility Analysis), and uses a matrix similar to the Feasibility Analysis Matrix available for download here at ReadyPlanning.com
- Finally a section for conclusions about the most appropriate alternative is provided, and then a prompting for supporting documents to be included in an appendix.
Is there anything it doesn’t do? Well, it doesn’t include a section for analysis of financial information, and consequently has nothing to say about what data might be included. Nor does it specifically outline technical or operational concerns, although there is certainly opportunity within the template for that information to be included. Market research is mentioned, and again there is space for that information to be included, but there is little in the way of detailed suggestions of data to research and include. In this template, all of this information would have been researched and included in appendices, which is a reasonable structure, shortening the report to only include the discussion of feasibility per se in the body of the report, while still including the research data for verification.
So … is it worth the $9.95? Well, given that the price really is not overly expensive, it may be worth purchasing for a general guide of how to present the final report. The overall layout is easy on the eyes, attractive in its simplicity. The content is a good general guide without being exhaustive in detail or instructions. If you would like to see an example of a real feasibility report structure that is going to result in a concise report of the situation, I would recommend purchasing the document. However, if you are after a document to lead you through the process of researching the market, considering technological, operational and logistical needs and assets, and preparing financial forecasts and analysis, this template is not going to give you the assistance you require. You need to consider the Project Management Kit or the Project Management Methodology & Process Kit, or other specifically targeted solutions.
(NOTE: In the interests of transparency, I feel it is important to let you know that I am an affiliate of Method123 - that is, they pay me a commission if you buy through my site.)
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