ABSTRACT
A project normally starts with investigations of the possible demand for its planned product or service, its money-earning potential and other potential benefits, and also estimates of its possible costs, uncertainties and risks. Various names are used in businesses and public services for this investigation stage, for instance concept stage, feasibility study, pre-project, front end, opportunity identification or appraisal. Whatever they are called, the common purpose of the investigations is to provide the basis for deciding whether to continue to use resources to develop the project any further.
