Requirement Engineering Process: Feasibility Study
In software engineering, the Requirement Engineering (RE) process plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of a software project. It involves gathering, analyzing, documenting, and validating requirements for the intended software system. One of the initial phases of the RE process is the Feasibility Study, which aims to determine whether the proposed project is viable from both a technical and economic standpoint.
Definition of Feasibility Study
A Feasibility Study is an assessment conducted during the early stages of a project to evaluate its potential success. It examines various aspects such as technical feasibility, economic feasibility, operational feasibility, and legal feasibility.
Objectives of Feasibility Study
The primary objectives of conducting a Feasibility Study in the Requirement Engineering process are:
- Evaluating Technical Feasibility: This involves assessing whether the proposed project can be implemented using existing technology and resources. It considers factors such as scalability, performance, and compatibility.
- Assessing Economic Feasibility: This aspect examines whether the project is financially viable. It includes estimating costs, potential returns on investment, and conducting cost-benefit analysis.
- Ensuring Operational Feasibility: Operational feasibility evaluates whether the proposed system will be acceptable to its intended users. It considers factors such as user acceptance, ease of use, and compatibility with existing processes.
- Addressing Legal Feasibility: Legal feasibility assesses whether the proposed project complies with legal and regulatory requirements. It involves analyzing issues such as intellectual property rights, data privacy, and compliance with industry standards.
Process of Conducting Feasibility Study
The process of conducting a Feasibility Study typically involves the following steps:
- Identification of Requirements: The first step is to identify the high-level requirements of the proposed project. This includes understanding the needs of stakeholders and defining the scope of the project.
- Data Collection and Analysis: Relevant data is collected and analyzed to assess various aspects of feasibility, such as technical, economic, operational, and legal feasibility. This may involve conducting surveys, interviews, market research, and analyzing existing systems.
- Feasibility Assessment: Based on the collected data and analysis, the feasibility of the project is assessed. This involves evaluating the potential risks, constraints, and challenges associated with the project.
- Documentation: The findings of the Feasibility Study are documented in a comprehensive report. This report includes an overview of the project, analysis of feasibility factors, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Review and Approval: The Feasibility Study report is reviewed by key stakeholders, including project sponsors, managers, and technical experts. Based on their feedback, any necessary revisions are made, and the final report is approved.
Conclusion
The Feasibility Study is a critical phase in the Requirement Engineering process, as it helps stakeholders make informed decisions about whether to proceed with the proposed project. By evaluating technical, economic, operational, and legal feasibility, organizations can mitigate risks and ensure the success of their software projects.