Software Development Feasibility Study
Planning
Intertech’s software planning & requirement analysis process sets the foundation for the entire software development process.
Architecture & Design
Our software architecture and system design stage lays the groundwork for successful software implementation by providing a clear roadmap for building the system.
Custom Development
Intertech experts help you select languages and implement coding standards and development practices that are well-informed & collaborative when updating or creating new web -based and desktop applications.
Quality Assurance
Intertech brings a comprehensive and integrated approach to software quality assurance (QA) and testing that fosters a commitment to delivering software of the highest quality.
Testing
Each type of test serves a specific purpose in the software development process, contributing to the overall quality and reliability of the software. The choice of tests depends on the project’s requirements, goals, and the nature of the software being developed.
Cloud Migration & Integration
Work with a team that understands cloud migration and cloud integration, as well as application architecture and development, so you get the “cloud full stack” experience from your dev-team.
CIO | MSRS
The Complete Software Development Feasibility Study
Important Steps
Step 1: Define the Scope of the Project
Questions to Ask
- What is the primary objective of the new software?
- What problems will it solve or what improvements does it seek to achieve?
Areas for Detailed Answers
- List of features and functionalities expected from the new software.
- Boundaries of the project including what needs to be covered and what may arise but should not be included.
Feature and Functionality List (Example)
Core Functional Features
User Registration / Sign-up
User Login / Authentication
Social Login (Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.)
Role-Based Access Control (Admin, Manager, User, etc.)
Profile Management
Dashboard / User Homepage
Search Functionality
Data Entry Forms
File Upload / Download
Calendar / Scheduling
Notification System (Email / SMS / In-app)
Task Management / To-do Lists
Chat / Messaging
Commenting / Reviews
Ratings / Likes / Favorites
Bookmarking / Saved Items
Data and Reporting
Custom Reports
Real-time Data Visualization (Charts / Graphs)
Export Data (CSV, Excel, PDF)
Import Data
Audit Logs / Activity History
Advanced Filtering / Sorting
KPI Tracking / Metrics Dashboard
E-Commerce & Payments
Product Catalog
Shopping Cart
Checkout Process
Payment Gateway Integration (Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
Subscription / Recurring Billing
Discount Codes / Promotions
Invoice Generation
Tax Calculation
Security & Compliance
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Data Encryption
GDPR / CCPA Compliance
Session Timeout / Auto-Logout
Secure File Storage
Access Logs & Monitoring
System Integration & APIs
API Access for Third Parties
Webhooks
ERP / CRM Integration (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.)
Cloud Storage Integration (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)
Payment Processor APIs
Email Service Integration (SendGrid, Mailchimp)
Intelligent Features
AI-Powered Search / Recommendations
Machine Learning Models (Predictive Analytics)
Intelligent Process Automation
Natural Language Processing (Chatbots, AI Assistants)
Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
User Experience & Accessibility
Mobile Responsiveness
Native Mobile App (iOS / Android)
Accessibility Compliance (WCAG)
Multi-language Support
Dark Mode / Theme Switching
Guided Tours / Onboarding
Offline Mode Support
Administration & Configuration
Admin Panel / Management Dashboard
User & Role Management
Content Management System (CMS)
System Settings / Configurations
Email Template Management
Customizable Permissions
Multi-Tenant / Multi-Organization Setup
Testing & Deployment
Test Automation
Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
Staging Environment
Rollback / Version Control
Usage Monitoring / Analytics
Feedback Collection / Bug Reporting
Scalability & Performance
Load Balancing
Caching Mechanisms
CDN Integration
Database Optimization
Auto-Scaling Infrastructure
By defining these features and boundaries, the project team can focus on delivering a software solution that enhances the needs of the business while avoiding scope creep and managing stakeholder expectations effectively. This approach ensures that the project remains manageable, within budget, and on schedule.
Step 2: Conduct Preliminary Analysis
Questions to Ask
- Is there a clear need for this software among the target users?
- What are the current solutions, and why are they insufficient?
- What could be done better?
Areas for Detailed Answers
- Overview of existing solutions, their limitations, & required improvements.
Graphs &/or Tables Needed To Illustrate
- Comparison table of existing software vs. proposed features.
Comparison Table: Existing Software vs. Proposed (Example)
The sample table illustrated above succinctly presents the enhancements that the proposed software offers over the existing system, underlining the benefits and reasons behind each feature upgrade. This format helps stakeholders quickly understand the value addition from the new software and supports decision-making processes with clear, actionable insights.
Step 3: Identify Technical Requirements
Questions to Ask
- What technologies are required to improve or build this new or updated software?
- Is the current IT infrastructure able to support the update or new software?
- Is the current IT team capable of supporting these technologies?
Areas for Detailed Answers
- Detail technology stack and IT requirements using a technology checklist.
Technology Requirement Checklist (Example)
Business & Strategic Alignment
Clearly defined business goals and success metrics
Problem/opportunity statement aligned with software purpose
Stakeholder identification and roles
Regulatory or industry compliance requirements
ROI expectations and budget boundaries
Timeline constraints or go-to-market expectations
Current System & Technical Landscape
Inventory of existing software systems and versions
Integration points with third-party platforms or internal tools
Known system limitations, technical debt, or pain points
Hosting environment (on-premises, cloud, hybrid)
Current scalability and performance metrics
Support and maintenance structure for current system
Documentation availability (architecture diagrams, API docs, etc.)
Existing licenses and technology subscriptions
Functional Requirements
Core system functionalities and features
Role-based user access and permissions
Data entry, workflows, automation, and approvals
Reporting and analytics needs
External system integrations (APIs, ERPs, CRMs, etc.)
Mobile and device access requirements
Offline capabilities (if needed)
User and admin interface expectations
Non-Functional Requirements
Scalability (horizontal/vertical)
Performance (response times, concurrent users)
Security (encryption, authentication, logging, etc.)
Availability and uptime targets (SLA commitments)
Disaster recovery and business continuity plans
Accessibility (WCAG, screen reader support)
Localization and language support
Legal and data residency requirements
Data & Architecture Considerations
Data model and entity relationship definitions
Volume of data to be handled (existing and projected)
Data import/export needs
Backup and archival requirements
Data ownership and portability
Use of structured vs. unstructured data
Master data management and deduplication strategies
Migration strategy from legacy systems
Technology Stack Evaluation
Preferred languages, frameworks, and libraries (.NET, Java, Node.js, etc.)
Cloud provider (AWS, Azure, GCP, hybrid)
Database technologies (SQL, NoSQL, etc.)
DevOps tools and CI/CD pipeline requirements
Front-end technologies (React, Angular, Vue, etc.)
Licensing and long-term support viability
Compatibility with existing platforms or teams’ skill sets
AI, Automation, and Innovation
Intelligent process automation opportunities
Machine learning or predictive modeling use cases
Business rule engines
Chatbots or natural language interfaces
Document or image processing (OCR, etc.)
Decision support systems
Project Delivery & Team Structure
In-house vs. outsourced development strategy
Team skill sets required (architecture, UX, QA, etc.)
Agile or waterfall methodology alignment
Project management and communication tools
Training and documentation needs post-launch
Post-deployment support requirements
Risk Analysis
Key technical risks identified and documented
Third-party or integration risks
Technology obsolescence or vendor lock-in
Change management and stakeholder resistance
Cybersecurity threat vectors
Legal and compliance exposure
Estimation & Roadmap
High-level effort and cost estimate
MVP definition vs. full product scope
Phase-wise roadmap (if applicable)
Go/no-go recommendation based on findings
Recommendations on architecture and tooling
Suggested timeline and resource allocation
The sample checklist above provides a structured approach to evaluating the technical readiness and requirements for a software project. By thoroughly assessing each item, decision-makers can determine the feasibility of the project from a technological standpoint and identify any potential gaps or challenges that need addressing before proceeding.
Step 4: Assess Market and Financial Feasibility
Questions to Ask
- What is the potential market size for this software? (This includes internal use and impact to business on direct and indirect expenses.)
- What will be the estimated cost to develop and maintain the software?
- What are the expected financial returns (ROI)?
Areas for Detailed Answers
- Market analysis report.
- Cost breakdown including development, maintenance, and operation costs.
- Revenue / Savings projections.
Market Analysis Report (Example)
Although an example, this market analysis report aims to provide stakeholders with a thorough understanding of the market landscape for financial accounting software, facilitating informed decision-making regarding the feasibility and potential of updating the existing software product.
Additional Graphs & Table To Be Included (Example)
Market Size and Growth Projections:
This graph shows the projected growth of the market size over the next five years, indicating an increasing trend which suggests a growing opportunity for the software.
Cost Breakdown for Software Project:
The bar chart details the distribution of costs across different categories such as Development, Marketing, Support, Infrastructure, and Licensing. This visualization helps in understanding where the major expenditures will occur.
ROI Analysis Over Time:
The ROI analysis graph displays the return on investment over the years, starting from a negative return initially as the investment outweighs returns, progressing to a positive ROI as the returns on the project grow. This helps in evaluating the financial viability of the project over time.
Step 5: Review Regulatory and Legal Compliance
Questions to Ask
- Does the updated or new software need to comply with any specific regulations?
- Are there any legal implications for deploying this software change?
Areas for Detailed Answers
- Compliance requirements specific to the industry.
- Legal considerations including data protection laws.
Software Feasibility Study – Compliance Checklist (Example)
Data Privacy & Protection
Identify types of personal or sensitive data handled (PII, PHI, financial, etc.)
Determine applicable data protection laws based on user geography:
- GDPR (EU)
- CCPA/CPRA (California)
- HIPAA (U.S. healthcare)
- FERPA (U.S. education)
- LGPD (Brazil)
- PIPEDA (Canada)
Data minimization: Only collect what is necessary
Define data retention and deletion policies
Encryption at rest and in transit
Data subject rights (access, correction, deletion, portability)
Cookie consent and privacy notice
Data Breach Notification procedures
Cybersecurity & Information Security
Follow secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) practices
Access control and role-based permissions
Secure authentication (e.g., 2FA, password policies)
Regular vulnerability scans and penetration testing
Secure APIs and third-party integrations
Secure session handling and logout
Logging, monitoring, and incident response plan
Data backup and recovery strategy
Use of up-to-date and supported frameworks/libraries
Regulatory & Industry-Specific Compliance
HIPAA (if dealing with healthcare data)
PCI DSS (if processing credit card transactions)
SOX (for publicly traded companies’ IT controls)
GLBA (financial data – U.S.)
ITAR or EAR (export-controlled technologies)
FedRAMP or FISMA (U.S. federal systems)
ISO/IEC 27001 (information security management)
SOC 2 Type II (service provider assurance)
NIST 800-53 or CSF (U.S. government frameworks)
COBIT / ITIL (governance and service management)
State-level regulations (e.g., New York SHIELD Act)
Cloud & Data Hosting Requirements
Geographic location of data centers / data sovereignty
Cloud provider certifications (ISO 27001, SOC 2, etc.)
Shared responsibility model understanding (IaaS/PaaS/SaaS)
SLA review (availability, support, data access)
Data portability between providers
Cloud security posture and audit logs
Accessibility & Usability Standards
WCAG 2.1 AA or higher for web accessibility
ADA compliance for public-facing applications (U.S.)
Localization and language support
Accessibility testing tools and validation plan
Software Licensing & IP
Open-source license review (GPL, MIT, Apache, etc.)
Verify licensing for all third-party software or libraries used
Proprietary code ownership and patent considerations
Software escrow (if critical dependencies exist)
Terms of use and end-user license agreements (EULAs)
Third-Party & Vendor Compliance
Vendor risk assessment completed
NDAs and data processing agreements (DPAs) signed
Ensure third parties meet your compliance requirements
Due diligence records for all vendors
Service Level Agreement (SLA) review and acceptance
Organizational Policies & Training
Security awareness training for staff
Acceptable use policy enforcement
Change control and configuration management policy
Incident response and breach notification policy
Role-based compliance accountability matrix
Annual policy review process
Audit & Documentation
Maintain audit trail of all access and changes
Define key compliance documents:
- Privacy Policy
- Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)
- Risk Assessment Report
- Security Incident Response Plan
Regular compliance audits scheduled
Gap analysis report with remediation roadmap
Compliance dashboard or reporting tool
AI & Automated Decision-Making (if applicable)
Transparency in algorithms used for decision-making
Ability to explain AI outputs and provide human oversight
Bias detection and fairness audits
Alignment with emerging AI regulations (e.g., EU AI Act)
Data governance practices for training datasets
Right to contest automated decisions
The sample checklist can be adapted to different industries and software types and can serve as a critical tool during the software feasibility study, helping ensure your solution meets all legal, regulatory, and industry standards before development begins. By proactively identifying requirements and risks, your team can avoid costly rework, protect sensitive data, and build a secure, scalable system that earns stakeholder and customer trust from day one.
Step 6: Perform Risk Analysis
Questions to Ask
- What are the potential risks involved with this project?
- How can these risks be mitigated?
Areas for Detailed Answers
- Create a detailed risk assessment including technical, market, financial, and operational risks.
Rick Assessment Matrix (Example)
This matrix helps project managers and stakeholders understand the specific vulnerabilities of a software project and provides a structured approach to preemptively tackle these issues. By preparing for these risks, a project is more likely to stay on track and achieve its objectives efficiently and effectively.
Step 7: Establish a Preliminary Budget and Timeline
Questions to Ask
- What is the estimated budget for the entire project?
- What is the timeline for development to launch?
NOTE: Request an outside evaluation of current system and proposed upgrades based on identified information by a trusted consulting firm focused on realistic numbers and providing experienced talent. Getting it right the first time may appear more expensive but in the end is always less expensive and better for reputation.
Areas for Detailed Answers
- Preliminary budget allocation. (Budget Allocation Graph)
- Project timeline with key milestones. (Gantt chart)
Required Graph and Chart (Example)
The next example is of a Gantt Chart for a software project timeline. It visually represents the various phases of the project, such as Requirement Analysis, Design Phase, Development Phase, Testing Phase, Deployment, and Post-Deployment Review, along with their respective durations. This type of chart is particularly useful for tracking project progress and ensuring that milestones are met on schedule.
These tools are indispensable in project management as they help in planning, monitoring, and communicating the project’s financial and temporal aspects effectively.
Step 8: Draft Preliminary Recommendations
Questions to Ask
- Based on the feasibility study so far, is the project technically and financially viable?
- What are the major challenges and benefits identified?
Areas for Detailed Answers
- Summary of findings and recommendations.
- Decision points on moving forward or reevaluating certain aspects.
Summary Table of Feasibility Analysis (Example)
This summary table serves as a concise and effective tool for stakeholders to review the comprehensive analysis of a software project’s feasibility, enabling informed decision-making about whether to proceed with the project. Each decision point is directly derived from the analysis, ensuring that any action taken is based on solid, researched information.
Step 9: Prepare the Feasibility Report
Questions to Ask
- What should be included in the final report to stakeholders?
Create Report
- Create a comprehensive report including all the above findings, detailed analysis, and recommendations. All previously mentioned graphs and tables should be integrated into a final document.
Step 10: Executive Summary of Findings
Questions to Ask
- How will the findings be communicated to stakeholders?
- What format will the presentation take?
Summarize Findings
- Prepare a summarization of key points from the feasibility study.
Executive Summary of Software Feasibility Study (Example)
This sample summary effectively communicates the essence of the feasibility study, providing stakeholders with the information they need to make informed decisions about the project. It clearly outlines what needs to be considered, the benefits of the project, and any risks involved, thereby setting the stage for fruitful discussions and decisions.
Step 10: Executive Summary of Findings
DownloadIntertech Software Feasibility Study — Click to Download
This outline ensures a thorough evaluation of all critical aspects of the proposed software project, providing a solid foundation for making an informed decision on whether to proceed.
Contact our team at Intertech for assistance from a trusted and proven partner that can assist in making sure you have the correct numbers and technologies selected for your project.
Do Nothing
If the reasons for the project do not add up, there is no reason to continue. Remaining with the status quo is always an alternative. You have made it this far with your current system, and that may be the best solution. It is important to remember that not everything needs to be automated or set up to collect data for future use.
Build Your Vision
Creating Exactly What You Need, utilizing some of or none of your current system allows you to get exactly what you have determined to be the best solution for your department, the company, and the customer. However, it is a big step and the potential costs should align with the potential benefits.
PrePackaged Product
There are many SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) and prepackaged applications on the market. This is an option that helps middle-players afford conventional systems without the up-front expense of custom software. The cons are that you often outgrow the software quickly but not the contract and loose control of costs.
Software Feasibility Study: Conduct a cost/benefit and technical analysis!
Cost/Benefit Analysis
Identify the costs of development and convert these to potential savings that will be realized in the future. One way of doing this is by creating a chart similar to the one below. Make sure to consider multiple perspectives on the situation.
Costs vs. Benefits Should Be Considered:
Even if everything aligns logically, telling you to move forward, make sure the political will is there to succeed. Without backing from above, it can be a steep slog. Use your findings during your software feasibility study stage, bring in a project manager and your lead IT expert to help you answer and explain technical questions, and keep it simple.
How Does Intertech Help You Move Forward?
With our Software Feasibility Study we work through all phases to make sure you don’t miss a thing. In the feasibility discovery phase, findings allow us to map out your requirements for development, maintenance, DevOps skillsets, schedules, and deployment. We will add a Full Technical Skill and Competency Review, Time to Market Requirement Analysis, and Regulatory and Internationalization Assessment.
Next, we outline a strategy that will define recommendations for the technology stack, provide a project management game plan and propose necessary team resources. This will include Software Development Lifecycle Planning, Documentation Needs, Rollout Options, Proposed Resource Model, Suggested Technology Stack, and more.
You’ll also receive a project launch map and follow-on support plan. In short: everything you need to plan the actual rollout, as well as manage your documentation needs and the full software development lifecycle.
Accurate Quotes. Detailed Options.