Feasibility assessment
After brain storming and mind mapping a feasibility assessment has to be done.
Can the research be realized as outlined in the proposal plan derived from the mind map?This analysis is conducted in the frame of the such-called SWOT approach. The SWOT analysis is a planning tool to ensure the feasibility of the planned activities. It recognizes that there are both internal and external factors that can affect the success of a project:
- the internal factors are addressed in the Strengths and Weaknesses
- the external factors in Opportunities and Threats).
Any external circumstance or trend which will unfavorably influence the interests of the donors in the research topic of the proposal, the applicants or the area in which the research might be conducted The steps to make SWOT a strategic and operational tool involve:
- Preparing the ground (define the planning object and the mission of the
planning team); - Conduct the analysis by visualizing of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats on a flipchart or whiteboard;
- Strategy discussion (relate results to the missionstatement and derive strategy elements);
- Operational planning (results and strategy elements are transformed into planning documents).