2.2c & d Feasibility Studies

Question 1

Feasibility studies

Answer 1

• Feasibility studies help formulate the most important
  and critical considerations for a new product.
• They help set out guidelines for the design and
  development stages that follow.
• The design brief and specification for the new
  product are often arrived at as a result of a feasibility
  study.
• Ultimately, feasibility studies will establish whether
  or not a product is commercially viable.
• Market research teams are employed to gather the
  opinions of potential users.

Question 2

Producing and testing prototypes

Answer 2

• Feasibility studies also include analysis and
  evaluation of prototype products. Many iterations
  of a product are often needed before the product
  meets the needs of users and stakeholders.
• Modifications and improvements are made to
  products as a result of user feedback before the final
  design is arrived at.
• Development teams often engage with focus groups
  to provide feedback on a new design.
• Wearer or user trials take place so accurate and
  relevant feedback from a user’s perspective is taken
  on board.
  User feedback could refer to:
  » performance
  » ease of use
  » ease of care
  » function of smaller design details
  » the proposed cost.
  There are different considerations within a feasibility
  study that support manufacturers in their decision
  making and whether to go ahead with developing and
  manufacturing a new product.

Question 3

Technical feasibility:

Answer 3

What is the proposed product?
* If the product is new, what are the launch
implications?
* Can it be protected from the competition?
* What are the new product’s strengths?
* What are the main benefits to users?
* What resources are needed to manufacture it?
* What are the regulatory standards for the new
product?

Question 4

Market feasibility:

Answer 4

This examines whether there is a place in the market
for the new product.
* It identifies who the target market is, their buying
patterns and habits, and if there is a worthwhile
market for the new product.
* It looks at past, current and future competition.

Question 5

Commercial feasibility:

Answer 5

• This focuses on the likely commercial success of the
  proposed product and the potential volume of sales.
• It examines potential profit for the new product.
  Risk:
• Feasibility studies could identify risks with the launch
  of a new product but do allow manufacturers to
  prepare in advance for the best ways to minimise the
  risk.
  A design proposal could be for an entirely new
  product that does not already exist or it could be a
  redevelopment of an existing product.
  Following feasibility studies and market research,
  designers and manufacturers would have a better
  understanding of what the demand is from the market
  place and of the features that could be critical to the
  success of a new product.

Question 6

Design brief

Answer 6

Once a need or problem has been identified, the
designer works on an initial design brief – a broad
outline of what is needed.
* Following more detailed analysis and research a
more precise final brief is arrived at.

Question 7

Design specification

Answer 7

Following feasibility studies and market research,
a design specification is set out stating the critical
factors that are vital to the success of the new
product and which must be adhered to.
Factors that also need consideration are:
* Manufacturing – this could be dependent on the
facilities and machinery available in the factory that
will make the product. Available work force is also a
consideration.
* Product life – the purpose of the product is critical.
Is the product a gimmick or something more
substantial? This could affect material choice,
manufacturing processes and quality.
* Repair – planned obsolescence may be a factor. In
which case, ease of repair will not be a consideration.
* Maintenance – this will depend on the purpose
of the product. Regular maintenance is critical for
machinery but ease of care is more important for
clothing.