Market Study

In preparing a proposal or feasibility study, it is important to conduct a market study to determine if the proposed project or idea is feasible in terms of market.

Market study recognizes whether there is adequate demand for the product and that the project shall enjoy competitive marketing position.

An investor is interested to invest in a business project with a minimal risk and a higher rate of return on investment.  However, the major consideration is where there is an ample demand for the product being produced or proposed to produce.

Steps in Market Study

  • Identify if there is an ample demand for the product being produced or proposed to produce. It means if there is a substantial excess demand, the new firm could enter into the industry.
  • If there is a sufficient demand for the product, investigate the competitive position of the firm in the industry.  The information on the prevailing prices of the product are gathered and scrutinized.
  • The prices to be adopted for the project and the quality of the product relative to the product of the current and potential producers are also carefully studied.
  • The present marketing practices of the competitors, selling organization, terms of sales, channels of distribution, location of sales outlets, transportation and storing facilities and other information relative thereto are also taken into account.

Steps in Preparing Feasibility Study

Various approaches have been used in preparing a feasibility study according to individual preferences. Some give more emphasis on ocular observation without quantitative and qualitative verifications of the market and other factors considered in starting or expanding a business enterprise.  But some are very careful in their investment by verifying all aspects of the project study in a scientific survey.

Suggested steps to prepare a feasibility study

  1. Identify and recognize the people or firms that will be involved in preparing the various aspects of the study.
  2. Examine the market feasibility both in terms of ocular observations and the actual scientific survey. Determine if there is ample excess demand and a competitive market position of the project. If not feasible, abandon the idea immediately and think of another business project.
  3. Find out if the project or idea is technically feasible. Determine if the resources to be used are available on a long term basis and at a reasonable cost. If not feasible, abandon the project or idea.
  4. Proceed with the management study. Management study involves in determining if the organizational set up carry out its function effectively and that qualified persons under the circumstances are available.
  5. If management is feasible, determine if it is financially feasible. Financial feasibility means that the budget or financing shall be available at a reasonable cost and there is a financial support and is deemed profitable.
  6. If government project, assess the social desirability of the project and it will have an economic benefits to the people living in the community and its vicinities.
  7. Lastly, prepare the summary of the feasibility study including the brief description of the project and the major assumptions made such as market projections, share and prices, investment costs, method of financing. Also, prepare the summary of findings and conclusions regarding market feasibility, technical feasibility and financial feasibility.

Writing a Feasibility Study

Feasibility study is a document written to show the justification of a proposed policy, product, service or other charges in an organization.

A project study has several chapters or division embracing several aspects related to proposed project.  A study presented must be financially, economically, technically and socially feasible or viable.

Rules in Preparing Study

  1. The writer must know the nature of the proposed project very well.  Get technical expertise if necessary from qualified expert.
  2. The study must be loaded with statistics, data, documents and all information to support the study.
  3. Organize the project study properly.
  4. The estimation and projections shows must be close to realities.

Characteristics of Feasibility Study

  1. It helps the managers and other decision makers vote for or against an idea or select many other alternatives.
  2. It is often preceded by a proposal.
  3. It helps the reader to make a decision.
  4. It saves time, capital and effort

Example / Sample of a Feasibility Study

Feasibility Study of Establishing Cindy’s Fast Food Branch Along Plaza of Balanga, Bataan

1. General Objectives

1.1. Description of the Business Project

The proposed business will need a two-storey building in a 2,000 square-meter lot with a parking space at the rear. The customer will drive in the left entrance greeted by the water-sprinkled Indian trees partly shielding the establishment from the fumes coming from the busy street. Embraced by the multi-colored lights, the trees will set the cosmopolitan setting to a rustic atmosphere. The building will be constructed to hide the stockroom complementing the architectural masterpiece. The smoothly cemented exit passing through the well-manicured lawn will draw sights of satisfaction from the customers.

The state-of-the-art tables, chairs and utensils will enhance the customers feeling that they are in a five-star hotel. Very affordable, the food will enthrall every customer to come and savor the food over the widely spaced tables on the immaculately marbled floor. The electronically flushing system of the restrooms will motivate the customers to force their friends and relatives to frequent this new Cindy’s Branch at the heart of the Balanga.

1.2. Project Time Table

All minor details considered, the project will start serving the five thousand targeted daily customers within five months. The contractors will complete the fence and the framework of the building in the first month. They will finish the walls and the floors in the second month. They will install the electrical and the air conditioning units in the third month. After the first and second layer coating, they will complete the final painting in the fourth month and finally they will landscape and plant balled-trees in the fifth month. As the project will be in progress, the company will busy the facilities to be used.

1.3. Management of the Business

With three managers alternately scheduled on the eight hour duty to man the 95crew in the 24 hour service, the business will surely satisfy the customers, propelling profit to soar.

The personnel will make a customer feel that he is the only one served amidst the queuing multitude. The high wage given by the company and, likewise, the humane treatment of the superiors will inspire the crew to render machine-precise service.

2. Product and Market Aspects

2.1 Market Outcome

A variety of expensive fireworks commence the business to attract the children, students, parents, and professionals. This opening blast will have been advertised a month before. The initial big crowd from the different districts of the province will keep growing to actualize the management’s vision that this Cindy Branch will be the most profitable among the food chains in the City.

2.2 Market and Selling Price

The customers can order from a variety of choices in the counter staffed with beautiful and handsome ever-smiling crew. The waiters will serve the orders in the well-crafted, smoke free dining areas with both oriental and western motifs to fit their number and their tastes. These areas will enhance customer privacy as the customers enjoy eating while talking about the gossips of the town, or as they engage in a highly intellectual calisthenics about a hot political issue. The area will also conduce lovers to cement their relationship with their soul-penetrating interlocked gazes that only lovers could fathom, as they savor their food.

3. Technical Aspect

3.1 Location Factor

At the center of Balanga Plaza, this food center will surely draw customers from the cross-section of society. The following factors will back-up the company’s foresight:

3.1.1 Topography

The 2,000 square-meter lot does not need labeling because the area is already flat and it is located in high location. No matter how strong the typhoon will be, the rains will not flood the area. The customers will not be drawn away from enjoying the services of Cindys.

3.1.2 Cost of Land

The fertile business venture will cheapen the current P20,000 per square meter piece of land. The forty five million peso worth of property will double after only three years of operation.

3.1.3 Security

The place will be safe. Secretly installed cameras will monitor every move to ensure the security of the customers. Four security guards simultaneously assigned to the area will guarantee the safety of the clients. This will be backed up by policemen assigned at the outpost nearby.

3.2 Size and Layout of the Building

To maximize the 40 x 50 meter land area, the engineers will erect the 20 x 30 meter proposed two storey building, leaving five meters at both sides and 18 meters fronting the street. Only two meters will be left at the back of the building. This will ventilate the establishment.

3.3 Equipment

The Bataan Builders will construct the building. This construction company will use modern building equipment like a cement mixer, caterpillar, automatic digging drill, and other state of the art construction materials.

4. Project Cost

4.1 The Land and the Building

This project will cost about P 45,000,000.00 which is roughly broken into the following:

Cost of 2,000 meter lot – P 40,000,000.00
Cost of 2 storey building – P 4,000,000.00
Accessories and Equipments – P 1,000,000.00

Total Cost – P 45,000,000.00

The 45 million pesos worth of land is the biggest of the capital investment but it is worth it because unlike the other expenses, the land value will appreciate through the years. The contract with the Bataan Builders for the proposed two-storey building is P 4,000,000. This includes materials and labor. With the five-month paying scheme, Cindy will pay P 800,000 every month until the last month. The food center will need P 1,000,000 for the imported accessories like tables, chairs and other needs.

4.2 Franchise

The food center will pay the current P 1,000,000 Cindy franchise.

4.3 Sources of Financing

The proprietor will put in P 5,000,000. The remaining P 40,000,000 will be borrowed from the bank.

5. Business Operation

5.1 Revenues

With 50 thousand monthly net income target from about five thousand daily customers, the proposed branch projects the following net income by month and years:

First month – P 1,500,000.00
First year – P 18,000,000.00
Second year – P 36,000,000.00
Third year – P 54,000,000.00
Fourth year – P 72,000,000.00

After four years of operation, this venture will have gained P 11,000,000 as shown in the following computations:

Net income in four years – P 72,000,000.00
Minus the sum of investments – P 61,000,000.00
Difference – P 11,000,000.00

Loaned money from the bank – P 42,500,000.00
Interest of loaned money – P 17,000,000.00
Franchise – P 1,000,000.00
Maintenance – P 500,000.00
Total – P 61,000,000.00

5.2 Accessories and Equipments

Being of high quality, the accessories will still be usable after four years. However, P 500,000 pesos is allotted for maintenance and replacements of damaged property.

Summary

The figures above prove how financially rewarding this business venture. Because food is a necessity, a venture like this guarantees 99% success. This is especially so if the location is the Plaza like Cindys Plaza.

* The feasibility study is a result of the proposed Establishment Cindy’s Fast Food.

Feasibility Study

A feasibility study is a document written to show the justification of a proposed policy, product, service, or other charges in an organization. Prompted by ideas suggested in a proposal, it examines details such as costs, alternative and likely effects.

A feasibility study can be in-house (for decision makers in an organization) or external (requested by clients from outside the organization)

Characteristics of a Feasibility Study

1. A feasibility study is always solicited.
2. It always assumes one of these two patterns of organization:
a. An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of one course of action, product or idea.
b. A comparison of two or more courses of action, product or idea.
3. It is always intended to help managers and other decision makers vote for or against an idea or select many other alternatives.
4. It usually helps the reader to make a decision.
5. It is often preceded by a proposal.
6. It saves capital, time and effort.