FEASIBILITY

STUDY

Project or System Name

Sample Feasibility Study Report Template

Day, Month, Year

 Revision Sheet

Revision Sheet
Release No. Date Revision Description
Rev. 0 1/31/00 Feasibility Study Draft Report

Feasibility Study Page i

 Authorization Memorandum

Feasibility Study Authorization

Memorandum

I have carefully assessed the Feasibility Study for the (System Name). This document has been
completed in accordance with the requirements of ……………………………..

MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION - Please check the appropriate statement.

______ The document is accepted.

______ The document is accepted pending the changes noted.

______ The document is not accepted.

We fully accept the changes as needed improvements and authorize initiation of work to proceed. Based
on our authority and judgment, the continued operation of this system is authorized.

_______________________________ _____________________
NAME DATE
Project Leader

_______________________________ _____________________
NAME DATE
Operations Division Director

_______________________________ _____________________
NAME DATE
Program Area/Sponsor Representative

_______________________________ _____________________
NAME DATE
Program Area/Sponsor Director

Feasibility Study Page ii

 FEASIBILITY STUDY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page #

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION...................................................................................................1

1.1 Purpose..................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Scope......................................................................................................................................1
1.3 System Overview..................................................................................................................2
1.4 Project References...............................................................................................................2
1.5 Acronyms and Abbreviations.............................................................................................3
1.6 Points of Contact..................................................................................................................3
1.6.1 Information...................................................................................................................................................3
1.6.2 Coordination.................................................................................................................................................3
2.0 MANAGEMENT SUMMARY.................................................................................................1
2.1 Environment.........................................................................................................................1
2.1.1 Organizations/Departments Involved...........................................................................................................1
2.1.2 Input/Output.................................................................................................................................................1
2.1.3 Processing.....................................................................................................................................................1
2.1.4 Security.........................................................................................................................................................1
2.1.5 System Interaction........................................................................................................................................1
2.1.6 Physical Environment...................................................................................................................................1
2.2 Current Functional Procedures..........................................................................................1
2.3 Functional Objectives..........................................................................................................1
2.4 Performance Objectives......................................................................................................2
2.5 Assumptions and Constraints.............................................................................................2
2.6 Methodology.........................................................................................................................2
2.7 Evaluation Criteria..............................................................................................................2
2.8 Recommendation..................................................................................................................2
3.0 PROPOSED SYSTEM.............................................................................................................1
3.1 Description of Proposed System.........................................................................................1
3.2 Improvements.......................................................................................................................1
3.3 Time and Resource Costs....................................................................................................1
3.4 Impacts..................................................................................................................................1
3.4.1 Equipment Impacts.......................................................................................................................................1
3.4.2 Software Impacts..........................................................................................................................................1

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 3.4.3 Organizational Impacts.................................................................................................................................1
3.4.4 Operational Impacts......................................................................................................................................2
3.4.5 Developmental Impacts................................................................................................................................2
3.4.6 Site or Facility Impacts.................................................................................................................................2
3.4.7 Security and Privacy Impacts.......................................................................................................................2
3.5 Rationale for Recommendations........................................................................................2
4.0 alternative systemS...................................................................................................................1
4.x Description of [Alternative System Name]........................................................................1

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 1.0 General Information

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

Feasibility Study
 1.0 General Information

NOTE TO AUTHOR: Highlighted, italicized text throughout this template is provided solely as
background information to assist you in creating this document. Please delete all such text, as well as the
instructions in each section, prior to submitting this document. ONLY YOUR PROJECT-SPECIFIC
INFORMATION SHOULD APPEAR IN THE FINAL VERSION OF THIS DOCUMENT.

The Feasibility Study is used to provide an analysis of the objectives, requirements, and system concepts
of the proposed system, including justification, schedule, and end products. During this analysis, the
objectives of the system are defined based on the needed functions described previously. Included in
these system objectives are the high-level functional and performance objectives and any assumptions
and constraints. When the system objectives have been identified, the various alternatives for satisfying
those objectives are determined. For each alternative, the costs in time and resources are estimated. A
determination is then made as to the most feasible development alternative.

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Purpose

Describe the purpose of the Feasibility Study.

1.2 Scope

Describe the scope of the Feasibility Study as it relates to the project being undertaken.

Feasibility Study Page 1

 1.0 General Information

1.3 System Overview

Provide a brief system overview description as a point of reference for the remainder of the document. In
addition, include the following:

• Responsible organization
• System name or title
• System code
• System category
− Major application: performs clearly defined functions for which there is a readily
identifiable security consideration and need
− General support system: provides general information on network support etc
for a variety of users and applications
• Operational status
− Operational
− Under development
− Undergoing a major modification
• System environment or special conditions

1.4 Project References

Provide a list of the references that were used in preparation of this document. Examples of references
are:

• Previously developed documents relating to the project

• Documentation concerning related projects

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 1.0 General Information

1.5 Acronyms and Abbreviations

Provide a list of the acronyms and abbreviations used in this document and the meaning of each.

1.6 Points of Contact

1.6.1 Information

Provide a list of the points of organizational contact (POC) that may be needed by the document user for
informational and troubleshooting purposes. Include type of contact, contact name, department,
telephone number, and e-mail address (if applicable). Points of contact may include but are not limited to
helpdesk POC, development/maintenance POC, and operations POC.

1.6.2 Coordination

Provide a list of organizations that require coordination between the project and its specific support
function (e.g., installation coordination, security, etc.). Include a schedule for coordination activities.

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 2.0 Management Summary

2.0 MANAGEMENT SUMMARY

Feasibility Study
 2.0 Management Summary

2.0 MANAGEMENT SUMMARY

2.1 Environment

2.1.1 Organizations/Departments Involved

Identify the project sponsor, developer, user, and computer center or network in which the software will
be implemented.

2.1.2 Input/Output

Identify the system input and output requirements.

2.1.3 Processing

Identify the system’s processing requirements.

2.1.4 Security

Identify the system’s security requirements.

2.1.5 System Interaction

Identify the interaction with other systems.

2.1.6 Physical Environment

Identify the physical environment (batch processing environment, interactive online transactions, ad hoc
reports, external and local communications).

2.2 Current Functional Procedures

Describe current functional procedures of any existing system, whether automated or manual.
Specifically, document the major processing and data flow of the current system(s), volume of work
currently processed, costs incurred in operating the current system, skill categories and number of staff
required to operate and maintain the current system, equipment used by the existing system, and any other
factors that are unique to the current system.

2.3 Functional Objectives

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 2.0 Management Summary

Analyze the anticipated functions of the system, considering such areas as new services, increased
capacity, legislative and policy requirements, privacy and security requirements, audit controls, and target
completion date.

2.4 Performance Objectives

Identify major performance objectives, considering such areas as reduced staff and equipment costs,
increased processing speed, increased productivity, improved management information services,
improved controls over automated decision-making system(s), and compliance with regulations.

2.5 Assumptions and Constraints

Determine the assumptions and constraints, such as operational life of the proposed system; period of
time for comparison of system alternatives; input, output, and processing requirements; financial
constraints; changing hardware, software, and operating environment; and availability of information and
resources.

2.6 Methodology

Describe the method or strategy employed (e.g., survey, weighting, modeling, benchmarking, and
simulation) to evaluate the proposed system to arrive at a feasible alternative.

2.7 Evaluation Criteria

Identify the criteria applicable to the development process that will be used to determine the most
attractive system option. Such criteria typically include cost, priority, development time, ease of system
use, or any combination.

2.8 Recommendation

State the recommendation for the proposed system, including consequences of not taking action, and what
delays and risks can be tolerated.

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 3.0 Proposed System

3.0 PROPOSED SYSTEM

Feasibility Study
 3.0 Proposed System

3.0 PROPOSED SYSTEM

3.1 Description of Proposed System

Present the overall system concept and describe how the requirements will be met.

3.2 Improvements

Describe the improvements of the system in terms of the objectives.

3.3 Time and Resource Costs

Outline the time and resource costs, including the time and funding required for all activities of the
lifecycle, from definition through operation and system retirement. It is imperative to use realistic
estimates. When making the estimates, remember to include such factors as the current workload of
personnel, staff absences due to vacation and illness, lead time for procurement of equipment and
software, and staff training.

3.4 Impacts

In the following subsections, describe the anticipated impacts of the proposed system, including potential
conversion problems.

3.4.1 Equipment Impacts

Describe new equipment requirements and changes to currently available equipment.

3.4.2 Software Impacts

Describe any additions or modifications to existing applications and support software in order to adapt
them to the proposed system.

3.4.3 Organizational Impacts

Describe any organizational, personnel, and skill requirement changes.

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 3.0 Proposed System

3.4.4 Operational Impacts

Describe the effects on operations, such as:

• User operating procedures

• Operating center procedures
• Operating center/user relationships
• Source data processing
• Data entry procedures
• Data retention requirements, information storage and retrieval procedures (refer to
Handbook 2229.1, Records Disposition Scheduling for Automated Systems)
• Output reporting procedures, media, and schedules
• System failure contingencies and recovery procedures

3.4.5 Developmental Impacts

Describe the developmental impacts, such as:

• Specific activities to be performed by the user in support of development of the system

• Resources required to develop databases
• Computer processing resources required to develop and test the new system
• Privacy and security implications

3.4.6 Site or Facility Impacts

Describe building or office modification requirements.

3.4.7 Security and Privacy Impacts

Describe security and privacy factors that may influence the development, design, and continued
operation of the proposed system.

3.5 Rationale for Recommendations

State the reasoning that supports the recommendation of the proposed system over the alternative
systems.

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 4.0 Alternative Systems

4.0 ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS

Feasibility Study
 4.0 Alternative Systems

4.0 ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS

This section provides a description of the alternative systems considered in this feasibility study. Each
alternative system should be under a separate section header, 4.1 - 4.x.

4.x Description of [Alternative System Name]

Describe the alternative system, following the outline described for the proposed system in the previous
section. State the reasons that the alternative system was not selected.

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