Welcome to Technical Principles: Feasibility Studies
Hello! Today we are looking at Feasibility Studies. This might sound like a complicated business term, but in Design and Technology, it’s simply the way designers do a "reality check" on their ideas. Before a company spends thousands of pounds making a product, they need to be sure it can actually be made and that people will actually buy it. Think of it as the "Look before you leap" stage of design!
What is a Feasibility Study?
A feasibility study is an assessment used to find out if a proposed design is practical and "doable." Designers use these studies to decide whether to move forward with a project or go back to the drawing board.
Don't worry if this seems a bit abstract! In the AQA syllabus, you specifically need to know how these studies assess two things:
1. The practicality of production (Can we actually build it?).
2. Prototype testing with potential consumers (Do people like it?).
1. Assessing Practicality for Production
Just because you can draw a beautiful product doesn't mean it can be manufactured easily or cheaply. Designers look at:
• Materials: Are the materials available and affordable?
• Manufacturing Processes: Do we have the machines (like CNC routers or injection moulders) to make this?
• Skills: Does the workforce have the right training?
• Cost: Can it be made at a price that allows for a profit?
2. Testing Prototypes with Potential Consumers
A huge part of a feasibility study is getting a prototype (a preliminary model) into the hands of real people. This helps designers see how the product performs in the real world.
Why test with consumers?
• To see if the product is fit for purpose.
• To find any "hidden" design flaws you didn't notice in the studio.
• To check if the aesthetics (looks) appeal to the target market.
A feasibility study answers the question: "Should we do this?" by checking if the product is makeable and if the market wants it.
The "Maths and Science" Side of Feasibility
In your exam, you might be asked how data is used during these studies. Designers don't just guess; they use statistical analysis and human factor data.
Interpreting Statistical Analyses
When designers survey potential customers, they end up with a lot of data. They use statistics to determine user needs. For example, if 85% of people surveyed say they want a waterproof phone case, the designer knows that waterproofing is a high priority.
Human Scale and Proportion
Designers use anthropometric data (measurements of the human body) to determine the scale and dimensions of a product. A feasibility study checks if the product fits the intended user.
Analogy: If you are designing a new game controller, you wouldn't just guess the size. You would use data on average hand spans to make sure it’s comfortable for both teenagers and adults. If your prototype is too big for 90% of your target users, your feasibility study tells you the design is not yet "practical."Memory Aid: The "3 Ps" of Feasibility
To remember what to look for in a feasibility study, remember P.P.P.:
• Practicality: Can we actually manufacture this?
• Prototypes: Have we tested a model with real people?
• Proportion: Does it fit the human scale (using data)?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Thinking it's just about money: While cost is important, a feasibility study is also about technical ability and user needs.
• Confusing it with a Specification: A specification says what the product must do; a feasibility study asks if the product can do it.
• Skipping the Consumer: Always remember that testing with potential consumers is a specific requirement for this chapter!
Section Summary
Key Takeaways:
• Feasibility studies are "reality checks" for design ideas.
• They assess if a product can be produced efficiently.
• They involve testing prototypes with the people who will actually use them.
• They rely on data (statistics and human measurements) to make objective decisions rather than guesses.