# How to Use Feasibility Study at Work: Tech English (2026)

> A detailed analysis to determine whether a project, feature, or solution is practical, technically possible, and economically viable before committing significant resources to it.

- **Term:** feasibility study
- **Part of speech:** noun
- **Pronunciation:** /ˌfez.ə.ˈbɪl.ə.ti ˈstʌd.i/
- **English level (CEFR):** B2
- **Register:** Formal, Both
- **Region:** US and UK
- **Topic:** [Agile and project terms](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/topics/agile-project-management-terms.md)
- **Lesson:** https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/feasibility-study
- **Last updated:** 2026-10-27

## Meaning

A detailed analysis to determine whether a project, feature, or solution is practical, technically possible, and economically viable before committing significant resources to it.

A feasibility study is a formal examination conducted early in the planning phase to evaluate if a proposed idea or project can realistically be completed. In tech companies, teams conduct feasibility studies to assess technical complexity, resource requirements, timeline estimates, budget needs, and potential risks before making investment decisions. This practice helps managers and stakeholders decide whether to proceed, modify, or reject a proposal. Feasibility studies are common before launching new products, adopting new technologies, migrating systems, or pursuing architectural changes. They serve as a risk mitigation tool that prevents wasting time and money on projects that are ultimately impractical or unachievable.

## When you hear it

Before we allocate a team to this microservices migration, we need to conduct a feasibility study.

## Examples

- **in a planning meeting:** "We should run a feasibility study on switching to microservices before we commit to the architecture change."
- **in an email to stakeholders:** "The feasibility study indicates that implementing real-time analytics would require significant infrastructure investment."
- **in a project kickoff:** "According to the feasibility study completed last month, the mobile app redesign is technically achievable within six months."

## What native speakers say

- "Conduct a feasibility study"
- "The feasibility study shows that the project is viable"
- "Based on the feasibility study findings, we decided to proceed"

## Common mistakes

- ✗ "We will feasibility study this new framework." → ✓ "We will conduct a feasibility study on this new framework." (Feasibility study is a noun, not a verb. Use 'conduct,' 'perform,' or 'complete' with it.)
- ✗ "This is a quick feasibility study; we only need one day." → ✓ "This is a preliminary feasibility assessment; we only need one day." (A true feasibility study is comprehensive and takes time. Use 'assessment' or 'review' for quick analyses.)
- ✗ "The feasibility study was successful." → ✓ "The feasibility study showed that the project is feasible." (A feasibility study itself is not successful or unsuccessful; its findings can be positive or negative.)

## Be careful

Do not use as a verb (avoid saying 'we will feasibility study it'). It is a noun describing an action or process, not the action itself.

## Word forms

| Part of speech | Word | Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| noun | feasibility study | We commissioned a feasibility study before launching the new platform. |
| noun | feasibility studies | Multiple feasibility studies were conducted to compare different cloud providers. |


## Collocations

- **conduct a feasibility study**: Most common verb phrase; means to perform or carry out the study
- **feasibility study findings**: The results and conclusions from the study
- **feasibility study report**: The formal document summarizing the study results
- **preliminary feasibility study**: A quick initial assessment before a full study
- **technical feasibility study**: Focused on technical aspects and implementation possibilities

## Synonyms

- **feasibility analysis**: Similar meaning; slightly more informal, emphasizes the analytical process
- **viability assessment**: Broader term that can apply beyond tech; emphasizes potential success
- **scoping study**: Focuses specifically on defining project scope and boundaries

## Opposites

- implementation
- execution

## Practice

This lesson has 4 practice exercises with instant feedback on the page: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/feasibility-study

## FAQ

### What does feasibility study mean in tech?

A feasibility study is a formal analysis to determine if a proposed project, feature, or technology solution is practical, technically possible, and economically viable. It examines technical requirements, resource availability, timeline, budget, and potential risks before committing to implementation.

### When should you conduct a feasibility study?

Conduct a feasibility study early in the planning phase, after you have an idea but before you commit significant resources. Typical situations include evaluating new technology adoption, planning system migrations, assessing major architectural changes, or evaluating new product features.

### What does a feasibility study typically include?

A comprehensive feasibility study usually includes technical analysis, resource and budget requirements, timeline estimates, risk identification, alternative approaches comparison, and recommendations for proceeding, modifying, or rejecting the proposal.

### Is feasibility study formal or informal language?

Feasibility study is formal, professional language used in business and technical contexts. It is appropriate for meetings, reports, and formal communication, but less common in casual conversation.

### What is the difference between feasibility study and proof of concept?

A feasibility study is an analysis and planning document that examines if something is possible; a proof of concept is a practical demonstration that it actually works. A feasibility study often recommends whether a proof of concept is needed.


## Related

- [proof of concept](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/proof-of-concept.md)
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