Last updated: 11 December 2025
A feasibility study is not paperwork — it is risk mitigation, financial logic, investor confidence, and operational clarity packaged into one strategic document.
In 2026, funders across South Africa and Africa are demanding deeper evidence, more realistic forecasts, and sharper market insights than ever before. Whether you’re launching a startup, expanding an existing business, or evaluating a capital-intensive venture, this guide helps you understand exactly what goes into a world-class feasibility study — and how to avoid the mistakes that derail most projects.
South Africa’s economic landscape in 2026 requires sharper decision-making, tighter risk controls, and far more data-driven validation than ever before. Whether you’re planning a startup, exploring a manufacturing venture, evaluating a new e-commerce platform, or expanding into Africa, a professionally executed feasibility study gives you the strategic clarity needed to avoid expensive mistakes and secure investor confidence.
A feasibility study answers the essential question: Should we proceed — or not? In a market where funding is tight and competition is intense, this document has become a non-negotiable requirement for entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates, and investors. The insights below expand your understanding of feasibility studies and introduce updated 2026 research, trends, and expert guidance for better project decisions.
Before launching any business venture, implementing a new project, or making a significant investment, it’s essential to answer one fundamental question: Is this idea feasible?
This is where a feasibility study comes in. A feasibility study is a powerful tool that provides a clear, data-driven analysis of whether a proposed initiative is viable from financial, operational, and market perspectives.
Feasibility studies help business owners, investors, and stakeholders avoid costly mistakes by identifying potential challenges, assessing resources, and evaluating the likelihood of success. Whether you’re planning to start a business, expand into new markets, or develop a cutting-edge product, a feasibility study is your roadmap to informed decision-making.
In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of feasibility studies, the key components they include, and how they can empower entrepreneurs to build sustainable and profitable ventures. Additionally, we’ll demonstrate how JTB Consulting can assist with expertly crafted feasibility studies tailored to your specific needs, equipping you with the tools to secure funding, mitigate risks, and make informed strategic business decisions.
Before you commit capital or time, validate viability. These critical questions form a practical feasibility checklist for South Africa and the SADC region. Use them to test market demand, execution risks, and financial outcomes. Then, brief JTB Consulting to deliver the bankable feasibility study, financial model, and decision memo that lenders expect.
We have included a Free Checklist you can use as you conduct your feasibility study.
How to use this checklist:
- Score each question 0–2.
- 0 = Not addressed. 1 = Partially addressed. 2 = Addressed with evidence.
- A total of ≥32 suggests proceeding with a comprehensive feasibility study with JTB Consulting; ≤24 signals reconsideration or scope adjustment.
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In the last 24 months alone, our consulting team at JTB Consulting reviewed feasibility studies across sectors, including renewable energy, agribusiness, real estate, e-commerce, logistics, healthcare, and technology.
One pattern emerged: the projects that failed did not fail because of bad ideas — they failed because of missing evidence, weak market validation, and unrealistic financial assumptions.
The feasibility study is your preventative medicine. Done well, it protects your capital, reputation, and long-term sustainability. Done poorly, it becomes a very expensive academic exercise.
Evaluating the feasibility of your business idea is crucial. In a commercial context, a feasibility study (viability study) assesses a business’s ability to operate, be profitable, and grow sustainably. How do you determine whether the business idea is viable? Many product and service ideas appear to deliver significant customer value.
However, along with delivering great consumer value, the company’s long-term profitability is vital to sustaining the business. As an entrepreneur, before taking the plunge, it is highly recommended that you conduct certain feasibility checks to determine whether to start your business. A feasibility study is a crucial tool for testing the viability of a startup. It defines and tests conditions that influence the feasibility of a startup. A feasibility study encompasses marketing, technical and financial components.
For lean startups, a feasibility study focuses on developing and validating the business concept (problem-solution fit), product-market fit and business model for scalability. The marketing study will define the market concept, strategy and execution metrics. The technical analysis will describe options for developing and delivering the correct business values.
The financial study will assess the business’s and project’s viability. For entrepreneurial businesses, the feasibility study will primarily focus on answering key questions about business concepts, customer validation, and business models.
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Why Feasibility Studies Matter More in 2026 Than Ever Before
Investor and funder expectations have shifted dramatically. In 2026, traditional business plans alone are rarely sufficient for high-risk or capital-intensive ventures. Funders now require feasibility studies that demonstrate:
- Real customer demand, measured through market research
- Data-driven revenue modelling, not guesswork
- Competitor benchmarking using South African market realities
- Sensitivity testing (load shedding, fuel prices, supplier risk)
- Clear capital requirements and repayment logic
- Compliance with local regulations and sector codes
- Projected ROI, NPV, IRR, and risk-weighted returns
At JTB Consulting, we regularly see feasibility studies change the direction of a project — sometimes confirming greenlights, sometimes stopping a financially catastrophic decision. Both outcomes protect the entrepreneur.
Before You Begin: The Most Common Misconception About Feasibility Studies
Many entrepreneurs assume a feasibility study guarantees project approval. It does not. What it does guarantee is a structured, objective assessment of viability — helping you avoid costly mistakes before capital is deployed. A well-executed feasibility study can save businesses millions, redirect strategy, or uncover previously overlooked market insights.
We often see South African startups shocked when feasibility results contradict their initial assumptions. This is not failure — it is clarity. And clarity reduces risk.
For your Feasibility Study, before you ask the Top Feasibility Study Questions below, consider the following:
- Feasibility Study Services South Africa―Food for Thought #1: First and foremost, is your business idea unique? It doesn’t have to be a completely new concept that will take the world by storm. You don’t even have to have a business that ‘reinvents the proverbial wheel’, but are there enough unique aspects to make your business different from others like it?
- Feasibility Study Company South Africa―Food for Thought #2: Do you know what it will cost to start your business? Every company incurs significant upfront expenses to acquire the necessary marketing materials, assets, inventory, and products to begin operating as a business. It will take time to recover that money, so be sure to plan to cover these costs immediately.
- Feasibility Consulting South Africa―Food for Thought #3: Third, are you selling to everyone, or do you have a niche market to target? Do you know how you will reach these people? It may be best to start by broadening your focus as you determine who begins buying your products the most.
- Feasibility Study Questions―Food for Thought #4: You must also consider the state of the economy and the time of year you will be opening. For example, is your industry growing, or are sales declining?
- Business Feasibility Study―Food for Thought #5: What is the competition like for this idea? Are there many other businesses in my area that provide similar services? If so, are they successful, or do they struggle to maintain a business?
- Feasibility Review―Food for Thought #6: How will my business idea stand out from similar businesses in the area? In other words, what are your competitive advantages/value proposition?
Key Steps in Conducting a Feasibility Study for a Startup in South Africa (2026 Edition)
South African startups face a uniquely uneven playing field — fluctuating consumer confidence, volatile input costs, regulatory uncertainty, and regional differences in customer behaviour. A feasibility study ensures you’re not building a business on enthusiasm instead of evidence.
The key steps in conducting a feasibility study for a startup include defining the business model, assessing market demand, analysing competition, validating pricing, reviewing regulatory requirements, mapping operational needs, and conducting detailed financial modelling. Each step must be supported with credible data, stress-tested assumptions, and a clear investment logic that explains whether the project should proceed or be redesigned before seeking funding.
Quick Approach for Creating a Detailed Feasibility Study Report
Entrepreneurs often need a fast yet credible feasibility study — particularly when investors or banks request documentation under tight timelines. A quick approach involves using structured templates, South African market datasets, sector benchmarks, competitor intelligence, and feasibility-ready financial frameworks.
At JTB Consulting, we condense the process by identifying showstoppers first: regulatory barriers, market-entry saturation, supplier constraints, capital requirements, and break-even thresholds. If these do not hold under scrutiny, there is no need to continue the full study. This approach significantly reduces cost and prevents you from investing resources into a project that is unlikely to succeed.
How to Assess Market Demand in a Feasibility Study for a Tech Startup in South Africa
Assessing market demand in a feasibility study for a tech startup requires more than just comparing competitors. South African digital adoption varies by province, income bracket, and access to infrastructure. Conducting surveys, analysing platform usage data, reviewing demographic purchasing trends, and evaluating digital payment behaviour provides a realistic view of demand.
Tech startups also need to identify adoption barriers, including trust, pricing sensitivity, device limitations, and data costs. Analytical insights, combined with real feedback from potential users, form the backbone of a feasibility study that investors trust — especially when entering Africa’s rapidly growing yet inconsistent digital economy.
Turnkey Feasibility Study Providers for Manufacturing and Startup Ventures in Africa
Manufacturing ventures and Africa-wide startup projects often require multidisciplinary feasibility assessments involving engineering, supply chain mapping, location analysis, import duties, power infrastructure, and production economics. There are companies that provide turnkey feasibility study solutions for manufacturing ventures and startup ventures in Africa, but quality varies dramatically.
Look for service providers that combine technical analysis with financial modelling and market validation. A good feasibility team should be able to translate engineering decisions into financial impact, quantify operational risks, map regional demand, and calculate both viability and long-term sustainability before significant capital is committed.
What a Feasibility Study Is — and When It Is Needed
A feasibility study is a structured evaluation of whether a business idea, expansion, property acquisition, or investment project is viable. It answers one essential question: “Should we proceed?” You need a feasibility study when the risk, cost, or operational complexity is high — such as launching a new manufacturing facility, investing in a tech platform, expanding into Africa, or introducing a new product.
Funders increasingly request feasibility studies before evaluating business plans, especially when capital expenditure, debt financing, or long-term partnerships are involved. If the consequences of a wrong decision are costly, a feasibility study is not optional.
The Feasibility Study 20 Questions Checklist
The questions below are just some of the questions and research you need to do to determine whether you have a feasible business idea or not. Careful research is the primary method for determining the feasibility of your business idea. Assessing the viability of your business idea is crucial if you are considering starting a business.
JTB Consulting Feasibility Study Checklist―Section 1: Market and Customer
Feasibility Study Q1: Who is the paying customer in South Africa or SADC?
- Category of customer segments as (business-consumer) and/or (business-business).
- Personal information(age, gender, location,…).
- Educational information.
- Professional information (their profession/job).
- Job aims (what they are most trying to achieve in life, relevant to your business idea, and can be classified as professional, social and emotional).
- Pains (undesired outcomes in doing jobs, obstacles and risk of failure).
- Gains (required, expected, desired and unexpected).
- Priorities (customer’s priority of job listing, pains, gains).
- Requirements to buy your product (design, function, price,…).
- Motivation and fear factors.
- Hobbies and interests.
- What makes them special and identifiable?
Customer analysis is one of the most important steps in the feasibility study. Do you know what is going on in your Prospective Customers’ minds?
Feasibility Study Q2: Who is the target market, and is there real, current demand?
The target market (or launch market) will be fully described, including the leading players and their market shares, existing products and services, selling prices, competitive landscape, market size, market growth, weaknesses, strengths, and key issues.
Feasibility Study Q3: What problem is being solved better than the status quo?
- The problem will be clearly defined. What pressing problem does your invention (or product) intend to solve?
- How has the existing problem been handled so far?
- Who are the main competitors or suppliers? What are the shortfalls with current suppliers?
- Why do you think this problem is pressing for the target customers?
- Does this intended problem affect a large group of people, and why?
Feasibility Study Q4: What is the solution?
The feasibility study will outline how the project addresses the pressing problem. What are the solution options, recommendations and justifications? To test the solution, it is advised to transform the idea into a visible object, such as a sketch or a prototype, that stakeholders can easily understand and access.
Feasibility Study Q5: What is the evidence for Problem-Solution fit, and how large is the accessible market today?
The study will show evidence collected from the market validating the problem-solution fit. Test findings will be judged on their reliability and consistency before acceptance. Size SOM, not only TAM/SAM. Cite sources and timeframes.
JTB Consulting Feasibility Study Checklist―Section 2: Competition and Differentiation
Feasibility Study Q6: What is the unique value proposition?
The project business can provide customers with a unique solution that other businesses (competitors) cannot. The explanation will also show why customers choose your product over others and what makes the project’s offering unique and challenging to imitate.
The feasibility study will demonstrate the benefits of the project’s product and how they translate into the value that customers derive from using it. The study must show how the project’s product benefits the customer by making him better, faster, and cheaper. This exercise enables you to persuade customers to purchase your product effectively. It will also help further develop the product to better fit customers’ needs.
Feasibility Study Q7: What are the product’s specifications?
The product’s specifications will be fully described, including its benefits, functions, design, and other relevant details. It is recommended that a product’s specification be transformed into a tangible representation, such as a brochure, prototype, or web landing page, allowing stakeholders to access and view it. For product testing, a prototype will be arranged and tested, including a market test (customer validation) and a scientific or laboratory test. The study must provide reliable and consistent evidence to test and approve the product for potential customers.
Feasibility Study Q8: Who are the top three competitors now?
Include local and import substitutes. Compare price, reliability, and delivery. Show a defendable edge: cost, speed, IP, contracts, or location. What happens if incumbents react, for example, by adjusting prices, offering service bundles, or implementing exclusivity agreements?
Feasibility Study Q9: What is the evidence for product-market fit?
The study will show how the product’s offering (including specifications, value propositions, commercial offering, and channel distribution) will fit the target market and customer segments’ requirements. It must also show reliable and consistent evidence that many potential customers will buy it.
Feasibility Study Q10: What are the distribution channels?
The study must provide full information on distributing and selling the project’s product or service to the target customers. Testing various distribution options will make recommendations and justifications. Will it be distributed through agents, distributors, direct sales, or a combination of these? The key considerations for choosing the right channels are those related to the most suitable channels that fit the target customers, the level of knowledge in the target market, dedication to sales, the cost of distribution, and others.
JTB Consulting Feasibility Study Checklist―Section 3: Technical, Operations and Business Model
Feasibility Study Q11: What are the revenue streams and the plan for selling?
A full description of revenue streams and selling plans will be made, including how to sell the product (transactional or recurring), what the pricing type of the product is (license fees, leasing, product price, etc.), offered credit facilities, cash flow projections, selling plan, marketing plan & budget, sales projections and others. The study must provide details on selling (capturing value), monetising value, and generating healthy cash flows. This section is closely tied to the project’s viability.
Feasibility Study Q12: What is the competitive positioning?
The study will evaluate the competition structure in the target market and define the target competitive positioning. Its importance is derived from the fact that competitive positioning will be based on the competitive advantages that the project can develop and pursue. To chart the competitive position, the study will need to define the top two competitive bases or advantages( i.e. price and quality) and define the project’s offering level for these two bases.
The study must demonstrate reliable and consistent evidence of how well the project’s product aligns with the target customer’s top priorities. It will also explain how well the existing products meet the target customer’s top priorities compared to the project’s product. The study will analyse whether the chosen market opportunity (product) aligns well with the project’s core and customer priorities. The study will chart the competitive positioning and demonstrate how the project’s product, compared to other competitors, meets the customer’s top priorities.
Feasibility Study Q13: What are the resources and plan for acquisition?
The study will explain the resources required to create and operate the business. Resources are assets, human, money and intangible assets (patent, IP). The study will estimate the resources required and outline the methods for acquiring them. The study will also explain partnership requirements, justifications and how to develop them. Resource requirements will be calculated in terms of money to test the project’s operating cost, capital cost and viability.
Feasibility Study Q14: What is the cost structure, and how will you create, deliver, capture value, and grow customers?
The study will explain the production cost (in terms of variable or fixed costs) required to produce the specified products. It will also estimate operating and capital costs, as well as funding options. Projections of expenses and funds will be illustrated. It will also calculate the cost of a product produced (R per unit), project production cost, and class costs (variables and fixed), evaluate funding options, and recommend funding options and justifications.
The study will outline methods for creating, delivering, and capturing the project’s business value, encompassing securing sufficient funding, managing the team, launching the business, executing marketing and sales strategies, developing customers, selling, generating cash flows, and overseeing operations.
Feasibility Study Q15: How to develop, retain and grow customers?
The study will outline the steps to launch the product, attract new customers, and retain and grow them. It should define key assumptions and strategies for achieving all customer relationship deliverables. The key strategy for developing customers is to increase awareness, foster loyalty, and drive growth. The study will also describe tactics for each customer development strategy and metrics for control.
Feasibility Study Q16: What is the project’s investment cost, and how can it be funded?
The study will estimate the project’s investment cost, including working capital and fixed assets, as well as explore funding options, provide a recommendation for funding, and offer justifications. What capex is genuinely required to reach steady state, i.e., separate must-have from nice-to-have. Include contingencies. What funding mix is realistic, such as equity, debt, or a grant? Show sources and uses. Align covenants to ramp up risk.
Feasibility Study Q17: How do you validate the business model?
- Identify key assumptions: Assumptions defined in the business model above will be the key subjects for validation. In addition to identifying the assumptions, the criteria for approving the testing of each assumption should be roughly determined.
- Identify your next 10-20 customers: Identify at least 10 potential customers who fit the customer profile. Contact them to validate their similarity to your customer profile and evidence their willingness to buy your product. You will also conduct interviews with them, based on specific questions and assumptions, collect their answers, and validate the business model’s assumptions.
- Test key assumptions: Identify potential customers to interview and validate your key assumptions. Set a test plan, conduct a test, and collect and analyse information. Based on the evidence collected from potential customers, assumptions can be validated, and the business model can be refined.
- Refine the business model: Based on the above outcomes, the business model’s assumptions will be revised and replaced with a new set, modified, and refined.
Feasibility Study Q18: What is the Minimum Viable Business Product MVBP?
The study will provide information on the assumptions for developing an MVBP and testing it before commercialisation. The MVP should be defined, prototyped, tested, and ready for commercialisation. The study must provide comprehensive information on MVBP and produce a prototype that showcases the product’s specifications, benefits, and uses.
Feasibility Study Q19: What are the financial projections?
The study must show the financial projection assumptions and figures for at least five years. The financial projection will include the income, balance, and cash flow statements. The reliability and consistency of forecasts will be the basis for judging and acceptance. Financial viability tests will be carried out, including calculating the net present value NPV, internal rate of return IRR, payback period, and financial ratio analysis. The reliability and consistency of viability will be the basis for judging and acceptance.
What does base case vs downside look like? Include sensitivities on price, volume, and delay. Present DSCR and cash runway.
Find out more about the Critical Importance of your Financial Projections.
Feasibility Study Q20: What is the implementation plan?
After successful completion of the stages of problem-solution fit, product-market fit and business model testing, the study will show the implementation plan, including:
- Manage teamwork: Form the founding team and distribute responsibilities and authority. This includes hiring key personnel required to successfully establish the business stage and appointing a board of directors to advise business management on the following levels.
- License and formalise the business: This includes obtaining licenses, drafting articles of association, and fulfilling any other legal requirements to standardise and establish the company. It also includes acquiring an office to manage the business.
- Raise seed funds: Evaluate the business and estimate the capital for the next phase. This includes approaching angel networks, venture capital, and other sources to raise seed funds against the investment cost.
- Identify and communicate the business, including the vision, mission, goals, high-level strategy, and company and product market positioning.
- Establish effective business governance by clearly defining policies, procedures, work instructions, and forms, including who is responsible and what actions to take to carry out business activities.
- Articulate the business strategy: Where mission, vision, and strategic directions are well defined. Also, strategic objectives, action plans and control are clearly defined.
- Business planning: Targets, action plans, and controls are well-defined over one year.
- Budgeting: The budget required to carry on the business’s activities over one year will be arranged. It will also describe the funding options.
- Launch the business: This involves creating a plan for launching the company and overseeing its execution.
- Pilot commercialisation could include acquiring storage and production factory facilities or outsourcing production and pilot commercialisation.
| JTB Consulting’s Feasibility Study Scoring Rules |
| 0–24 = Re-scope before spending any money. |
| 25–31 = Proceed to full feasibility with risk gates. |
| 32–40 = Proceed to full feasibility and investment case. |
Feasibility Study FAQ Library (2026 Edition)
1. What are the key steps in conducting a feasibility study for a startup?
The key steps in conducting a feasibility study for a startup include defining your concept clearly, gathering South African market data, identifying target customers, assessing regulatory requirements, analysing local competition, mapping operational needs, determining capital requirements, and building feasibility-grade financial projections. A strong feasibility study tests whether the opportunity is commercially viable under realistic assumptions. For startups, this process reduces the risk of launching a weak or unscalable model. In South Africa’s evolving entrepreneurial environment, investors prefer feasibility studies that demonstrate evidence-based thinking rather than optimistic assumptions.
2. Which consulting firms in South Africa specialise in feasibility studies for e-commerce products?
South Africa has a limited number of consulting firms specialising in feasibility studies for e-commerce products. The best firms combine financial modelling, market research, UX analysis, logistics considerations, and payment infrastructure expertise. At JTB Consulting, we frequently support e-commerce feasibility studies by evaluating digital adoption trends, fulfilment costs, competitive intensity, and customer acquisition economics. E-commerce feasibility studies must also address return rates, delivery timelines, pricing models, and marketing costs. Selecting a firm that understands the nuances of South African online behaviour improves project viability and increases investor confidence.
3. Can you recommend a quick approach for creating detailed feasibility study reports?
A quick approach to feasibility studies focuses on identifying deal-breakers first. This includes regulatory constraints, unrealistic capital requirements, supplier limitations, and weak market demand. Using structured templates, credible datasets, and pre-built financial models accelerates the process while maintaining quality. At JTB Consulting, our expedited feasibility study approach identifies the highest-risk areas within days, allowing entrepreneurs to make informed decisions without wasting resources. This approach is ideal for time-sensitive projects, tender submissions, investor requests, and early-stage concept validation, particularly in fast-moving sectors such as technology, retail, and energy.
4. How do you assess market demand in a feasibility study for a tech startup in South Africa?
Market demand assessment for tech startups requires a blend of qualitative and quantitative research. South Africa’s digital adoption varies widely across demographics, so feasibility studies must analyse data usage behaviour, smartphone penetration, e-commerce purchasing patterns, and trust in digital services. Surveys, user interviews, competitor benchmarking, social listening, and sector data form the demand baseline. An excellent feasibility study then evaluates conversion potential, adoption barriers, and willingness to pay. Tech failures often arise from misjudging consumer readiness, which is why investors favour feasibility studies that provide realistic demand projections rather than inflated expectations.
5. What service providers offer feasibility study support for South African projects locally?
South Africa has several service providers offering feasibility study support, but quality varies significantly. The best firms combine market research, financial modelling, and sector expertise, which is essential when evaluating high-risk or capital-intensive ventures. At JTB Consulting, our feasibility studies integrate real South African economic realities, including regulatory constraints, delivery costs, load-shedding disruptions, and regional market differences. Local support matters because feasibility studies based on international assumptions often fail in execution. A strong local provider improves funding outcomes by delivering evidence-driven insights aligned with what banks, investors, and development funds expect in 2026.
6. Are there companies that provide turnkey feasibility study solutions for manufacturing ventures?
Yes. Turnkey feasibility study companies for manufacturing ventures typically offer engineering assessments, supply chain mapping, market potential analysis, equipment costing, regulatory reviews, and feasibility-grade financial modelling. These providers help manufacturers assess factory viability, technology choices, production efficiency, and long-term demand. JTB Consulting frequently collaborates with technical engineers to translate operational requirements into financial projections that funders understand. This turnkey approach ensures the feasibility study doesn’t only confirm whether a plant is possible — it clarifies whether it is profitable, sustainable, and scalable under South African economic conditions, which are often unpredictable and cost-sensitive.
7. Are there companies that provide turnkey feasibility study solutions for startup ventures in Africa?
Across Africa, feasibility study requirements differ by country, regulatory regime, infrastructure quality, and consumer behaviour. Turnkey feasibility study providers help African startups by managing market research, competitor benchmarking, operational modelling, funding requirements, and risk assessment in multiple markets simultaneously. At JTB Consulting, we support projects expanding into Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, and Ghana by combining regional data with local insights. African startups often underestimate the challenges of cross-border logistics, currency volatility, and licensing barriers. A turnkey feasibility provider prevents costly blind spots and provides the robust evidence investors need before considering continental expansion.
8. What is a feasibility study, and when is it needed?
A feasibility study is a structured analysis that evaluates whether a proposed business, expansion, investment, or development project is technically, financially, and operationally viable. It is needed when the project carries material risk — such as manufacturing, franchising, property development, renewable energy, or tech platform launches. Banks, DFIs, and angel investors often require feasibility studies before reviewing funding applications because these reports assess demand, competition, costs, revenue potential, and project sustainability. If a poor decision would be financially devastating, a feasibility study is essential. It protects entrepreneurs from committing capital prematurely.
9. How long does a feasibility study take in South Africa?
A standard feasibility study in South Africa takes between 3 and 6 weeks, depending on project complexity, data availability, stakeholder involvement, and industry research requirements. Manufacturing or engineering-intensive feasibility studies take longer because machinery costing, compliance issues, and technical assessments require specialist input. Simpler startup feasibility studies may be completed faster if the business model is well-defined. At JTB Consulting, timelines often depend on how quickly clients supply information and how much market validation is required. Speed must never compromise quality — funders prefer a thorough feasibility study to a rushed one full of assumptions.
10. What should a feasibility study cost?
Feasibility study costs vary widely depending on sector, data depth, and technical requirements. In South Africa, basic feasibility studies for early-stage startups may start from R35,000–R70,000. In contrast, complex manufacturing, renewable energy, or property feasibility studies can exceed R150,000 due to engineering inputs and detailed modelling. A high-quality feasibility study should include market research, operational feasibility, financial projections, and risk analysis. The cost reflects the rigour required to produce a document credible enough for banks and investors. Cheaper studies typically cut corners that compromise funding outcomes. Quality matters more than price.
11. What deliverables should we expect from JTB Consulting when they manage our feasibility study?
A complete feasibility study from JTB Consulting includes market research, competitor analysis, customer behaviour insights, operational feasibility, technical considerations, regulatory compliance evaluation, financial modelling, risk analysis, and a clear viability verdict. You will receive a structured report aligned with funder expectations for 2026, including revenue modelling, cost structures, sensitivity analysis, and long-term sustainability evaluation. Unlike generic templates, our feasibility studies incorporate South African economic realities and industry-specific insights. The final deliverable helps you make informed decisions, secure funding, and refine your strategy before committing capital to a high-risk venture.
12. Can a feasibility study guarantee project success?
No feasibility study can guarantee success, because the project’s outcome depends on execution, market changes, economic shifts, and operational decisions. What a feasibility study does guarantee is clarity: whether the idea is viable under realistic conditions. This reduces risk dramatically. Think of it as your business “stress test” before you spend money. A feasibility study prevents entrepreneurs from investing in unprofitable ideas, exposes hidden risks, refines business models, and highlights areas for improvement. Investors appreciate feasibility studies because they demonstrate seriousness, discipline, and evidence-based decision-making, which increases the likelihood of funding and operational success.
13. How do I include market analysis from local competitors in my feasibility study?
Market analysis must include competitor pricing, service offerings, operational strengths, weaknesses, customer reviews, and local market penetration. South African competitors often differ dramatically by city or region, so a generic competitor overview is insufficient. A strong feasibility study benchmarks both direct and indirect competitors, evaluates demand saturation, analyses trends in customer feedback, and identifies competitive gaps. This localised intelligence improves your positioning strategy and ensures your financial projections reflect realistic market conditions. Funders prefer feasibility studies that demonstrate a clear understanding of who you’re competing against and why your solution is defensible.
14. What are the key sections that successful South African businesses include in their feasibility plans?
South African feasibility studies must address several unique elements, including power stability risks, logistics challenges, consumer pricing sensitivity, regulatory requirements, and local competitor dynamics. The key sections include market demand assessment, operational feasibility, financial projections, capital requirements, break-even analysis, risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and SWOT analysis. Successful feasibility studies also incorporate scenario planning, especially for industries affected by fuel price volatility, import duties, or load shedding. Including these elements ensures the feasibility study is realistic, funder-aligned, and reflective of actual South African operating environments.
15. Which consulting firms specialise in feasibility study development for tech startups?
Firms specialising in tech feasibility studies must understand digital adoption patterns, UX trends, platform economics, and customer behaviour across income segments. JTB Consulting regularly collaborates with tech founders to assess revenue models, subscription structures, customer onboarding, and scalability factors. Tech projects require feasibility studies that go beyond generic market analysis by evaluating app engagement metrics, transaction behaviour, payment processing patterns, and infrastructure constraints. A firm without tech insight cannot produce a credible feasibility study to investors, especially when evaluating digital platforms for South African and African markets.
16. How do I answer competition-related questions effectively in my feasibility study?
Address competition by identifying your direct and indirect competitors, their pricing, and your differentiators. Analyse customer reviews to understand what competitors do well and where they fail. In South Africa, competition differs by region, meaning your feasibility study must demonstrate geographic awareness. Funders look for clarity on how your business will win in a crowded market. Avoid vague statements such as “no competition exists” — they signal inexperience. Instead, explain why customers will choose your solution based on price, convenience, quality, innovation, or speed. Realistic competitive positioning builds trust.
17. How do I write a feasibility study that appeals to investors?
A feasibility study that appeals to investors must be evidence-based, realistic, well-structured, and visually clear. Funders want to see real demand indicators, competitive insight, cost structures, revenue assumptions, and profitability forecasts that make sense. Avoid overly optimistic projections and ensure your feasibility study includes sensitivity analysis. Use credible data sources and align your narrative with financial outputs. A concise executive summary helps investors assess viability quickly. At JTB Consulting, investor-aligned feasibility studies follow international standards while incorporating South Africa’s economic realities.
18. Which services offer professional feasibility study writing assistance?
Professional feasibility study writing services are offered by consulting companies like JTB Consulting, engineering firms, sector specialists, and market research houses. A credible service provider must combine industry insight, data analysis, financial modelling, and risk assessment. Look for a team with real-world experience, access to datasets, and understanding of what funders require. Feasibility studies produced by inexperienced freelancers or generic template providers rarely withstand investor scrutiny. Choose expertise over cheapness — feasibility is too important to risk.
19. What are common mistakes to avoid when preparing a feasibility study?
Common mistakes include relying on generic templates, ignoring local competitor dynamics, using overly optimistic financial assumptions, overlooking regulatory constraints, and failing to validate demand. Many feasibility studies collapse because founders base projections on hope rather than evidence. Avoid vague pricing strategies, unrealistic break-even points, and unsupported assumptions. Funders immediately spot overconfidence. A proper, trustworthy feasibility study is honest, realistic, and clearly explains the risks alongside the opportunities.
20. How do successful retail chains structure their feasibility studies?
Successful retail chains structure feasibility studies by analysing foot traffic patterns, demographic profiles, location quality, logistics costs, supplier terms, and local competition. They also assess store performance drivers such as pricing strategy, merchandising, and customer experience. Retail feasibility studies often include site comparisons, rent-to-sales ratios, and profitability forecasts. Retailers rely heavily on data and avoid expanding without evidence that a location can sustain long-term demand. South African retail feasibility studies must consider safety, mobility patterns, and mall performance trends.
Feasibility studies are no longer optional documents — they are essential risk-mitigation tools for navigating South Africa’s evolving business landscape.
Whether you are evaluating a tech startup, manufacturing plant, property development, franchise expansion, or cross-border venture, a feasibility study ensures you make informed decisions backed by evidence rather than assumptions. The insights above, combined with our expanded 2026 Feasibility Study FAQ Library, position this article as the definitive feasibility study guide for entrepreneurs across South Africa and Africa.
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