feasibility
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /fˌiːzəbˈɪlɪti/
US
- /ˌfizəˈbɪləti/
Description
- possibility
- practicality
- viability
It asks a simple question: "Can it actually be done?" It's not just about wanting something; it's about whether time, resources, and effort will allow a plan to work. Imagine you dream of building a spaceship in your backyard. It sounds exciting, but the chances are low. Planning a weekend camping trip, on the other hand, is much more realistic.
Think of it like testing the ground before building a house. You need to know if the land can support the structure. A feasibility study looks at all the important factors, such as money, technology, and legal rules, to decide if a plan is worth pursuing. Sometimes, even brilliant ideas are not practical yet and must be changed or dropped.
Feasibility refers to the extent to which something is possible, practical, or likely to succeed. It's a crucial concept in planning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Before investing time, money, or energy into an idea, it's essential to assess its feasibility. In other words, can it realistically be achieved?
The word comes from the Latin facilis, meaning "easy." But feasibility isn't about something being easy; it's about whether it's possible given existing constraints. A project might be theoretically sound but lack financial feasibility if funding is unavailable. Or a technological innovation might have technical feasibility, but not legal feasibility if regulations prohibit its implementation.
Feasibility studies are common in business and engineering. They involve analyzing various factors like costs, benefits, risks, resources, and timelines to determine the likelihood of success. For example, before building a new bridge, engineers would conduct a feasibility study to assess whether the terrain, materials, and budget allow for construction.
But you encounter feasibility in everyday life too. When deciding between two vacation destinations, you might consider the feasibility of each based on your budget and available time. Or when brainstorming solutions to a problem, you'll naturally evaluate which options are most feasible in the situation.
So, whether it's a grand engineering project or a simple weekend plan, understanding feasibility helps us make informed decisions and focus our efforts on what is truly achievable. It's about turning dreams into reality, one practical step at a time.
Examples
- 1
Project assessment
Before we invest any money, we need to assess the feasibility of the project.
- 2
Planning study
The city ordered a feasibility study before approving a new bridge.
Phrase
feasibility study
a detailed check of whether a plan is practical
- 3
Technical systems
Engineers are testing the technical feasibility of running the system on older phones.
- 4
Business expansion
Several board members questioned the feasibility of expanding so quickly.
Pattern
question the feasibility of + plan
doubt that it can be done successfully
- 5
Financial planning
On paper the idea looks exciting, but its financial feasibility is still unclear.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- feasibilitynoun
Forms
- feasibilitiespluralnoun