Part 3: Organizational Feasibility
Issues Addressed in This Part
A. Management prowess
B. Resource sufficiency
Assessment Tools
Management Prowess
• Use the following table to candidly and objectively rate the “prowess” of the founder or group of founders who will be starting the proposed venture.
Management Prowess Assessment Tool
Low Potential Moderate Potential High Potential
1. Passion for the business idea Low Moderate High
2. Relevant industry experience None Moderate Extensive
3. Prior entrepreneurial experience None Moderate Extensive
4. Depth of professional and social networks Weak Moderate Strong
5. Creativity among management team members Low Moderate High
6.
Experience and expertise in cash flow management None Moderate High
7. College graduate
No college education Some college education but not currently in college Graduated or are currently in college
Resource Sufficiency
• The focus in this section is on nonfinancial resources. Use the following table to rate your “resource sufficiency” in each category.
• The list of resources is not meant to be exhaustive. A list of the 6 to 12 most critical nonfinancial resources for your proposed business is sufficient.
An explanation of the rating system used in the first portion of the table is as follows:
1 Available
2 Likely to be available: will probably be available and will be within my budget
3 Unlikely to be available: will probably be hard to find or gain access to, and may exceed my budget
4 Unavailable
5 NA: not applicable for my business
Resource Sufficiency Assessment Tool
Ratings Resource Sufficiency
1 2 3 4 5 Office space
1 2 3 4 5 Lab space, manufacturing space, or space to launch a service business
1 2 3 4 5 Contract manufacturers or outsource providers
1 2 3 4 5 Key management employees (now and in the future)
1 2 3 4 5 Key support personnel (now and in the future)
1 2 3 4 5 Key equipment needed to operate the business (computers, machinery, delivery vehicles)
1 2 3 4 5 Ability to obtain intellectual property protection on key aspects of the business
1 2 3 4 5 Support of local and state government if applicable for business launch
1 2 3 4 5 Ability to form favorable business partnerships
Ratings: Strong, Neutral, or Weak
Proximity to similar firms (for the purpose of knowledge sharing)
Proximity to suppliers
Proximity to customers
Proximity to a major research university (if applicable)
Conclusion (expand fields and report findings, in discussion form, for each area)
A. Management prowess
B. Resource sufficiency
C. Organizational feasibility (circle the correct response)
Not Feasible Unsure Feasible
D. Suggestions for improving organizational feasibility