Balancing Desirability, Viability, and Feasibility: The Key to Successful Product Design and Innovation in Design Thinking

by: Dr. Harjinthar Singh | Short Articles

Co-Founder & Trainer/Instructor/Consultant in Digital Transformation & Sustainable Development, ESG, Design Thinking, UX, FullStack, Agile, DevOps, JIRA, SQL& NoSQL

Published Apr 27, 2023 on LinkedIn

The concept of desirability, viability, and feasibility; also known as the “triple constraint,” is a popular framework in the fields of design thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship. These three factors represent the key considerations that must be taken into account when evaluating the potential success of a new product, service, or business idea. In this essay, we will explore the links between desirability, viability, and feasibility, and how these three factors are interconnected.

DESIRABILITY refers to the degree to which a product or service meets the needs, wants, and preferences of its intended users. It is a measure of the product’s attractiveness and its ability to generate demand in the marketplace. Desirability is about creating a product that people want and are willing to pay for. It is about understanding the needs and desires of the target market and designing a product that meets those needs and desires.

VIABILITY refers to the ability of a product or service to be profitable and sustainable over time. It is a measure of the product’s economic viability and its ability to generate revenue and profits. Viability is about creating a product that can be produced and sold at a cost that allows the business to make a profit. It is about understanding the cost structure of the product and the revenue potential of the market.

FEASIBILITY refers to the practicality and achievability of a product or service. It is a measure of the product’s technical feasibility and its ability to be produced and delivered to the market. Feasibility is about creating a product that can be realistically produced and delivered to the market. It is about understanding the technical constraints and limitations of the product and designing a product that can be produced within those constraints.

The links between desirability, viability, and feasibility are interconnected and interdependent. A product that is highly desirable but not viable or feasible is unlikely to succeed in the marketplace. A product that is viable but not desirable may generate revenue, but it may not generate the level of demand needed to sustain the business over the long term. A product that is feasible but not viable or desirable may be technically feasible, but it may not be economically viable or meet the needs of the target market.

To create a successful product or service, it is essential to consider all three factors simultaneously. The product must be desirable, viable, and feasible in order to be successful in the marketplace. The following sections will explore the links between these three factors in more detail.

The Link between Desirability and Viability

The link between desirability and viability is crucial to the success of a product or service. A product that is highly desirable but not economically viable is unlikely to be successful in the long term. Conversely, a product that is economically viable but not desirable may generate revenue, but it may not generate the level of demand needed to sustain the business over the long term.

To create a product that is both desirable and viable, it is essential to understand the needs and desires of the target market and to design a product that meets those needs and desires at a price point that is economically viable. This requires a deep understanding of the target market, including their preferences, behaviours, and purchasing habits. It also requires an understanding of the cost structure of the product, including the costs of production, marketing, and distribution.

The Link between Desirability and Feasibility

The link between desirability and feasibility is also critical to the success of a product or service. A product that is highly desirable but not feasible from a technical standpoint is unlikely to be successful in the long term. Conversely, a product that is technically feasible but not desirable may be produced, but it may not generate the level of demand needed to sustain the business over the long term.

To create a product that is both desirable and feasible, it is essential to understand the technical constraints and limitations of the product and to design a product that can be realistically produced and delivered to the market. This requires a deep understanding of the technical aspects of the product, including the manufacturing process, materials, and design specifications. It also requires an understanding of the market demand for the product and the potential revenue streams that could be generated.

The Link between Viability and Feasibility

The link between viability and feasibility is also important to the success of a product or service. A product that is economically viable but not technically feasible may be profitable, but it may not be possible to produce and deliver the product at scale. Conversely, a product that is technically feasible but not economically viable may be produced, but it may not generate enough revenue to sustain the business over the long term.

To create a product that is both viable and feasible, it is essential to understand the cost structure of the product and the revenue potential of the market. This requires an understanding of the manufacturing process, materials, and design specifications, as well as the potential revenue streams that could be generated. It also requires an understanding of the target market and the level of demand for the product.

The Importance of Balancing Desirability, Viability, and Feasibility

To create a successful product or service, it is essential to balance desirability, viability, and feasibility. A product that is highly desirable, economically viable, and technically feasible is more likely to succeed in the marketplace. However, achieving this balance can be challenging, as there are often trade-offs between these three factors.

For example, creating a product that is highly desirable may require using expensive materials or production techniques, which can increase the cost of the product and reduce its economic viability. Similarly, creating a product that is economically viable may require sacrificing some of the features or design elements that make it highly desirable to the target market.

To achieve a balance between desirability, viability, and feasibility, it is essential to iterate and refine the product design and development process. This requires continuous testing and feedback from the target market, as well as ongoing evaluation of the cost structure and revenue potential of the product.

Summary

The concept of desirability, viability, and feasibility is a crucial framework for evaluating the potential success of a new product, service, or business idea. These three factors are interdependent and must be balanced to create a successful product or service. Achieving this balance requires a deep understanding of the target market, the technical constraints and limitations of the product, and the cost structure and revenue potential of the product. By iteratively refining the product design and development process, it is possible to create a product that is both highly desirable, economically viable, and technically feasible, and which has the potential to succeed in the marketplace.

Ultimately, the key to success is to ensure that the product or service meets the needs and wants of the target market, while also being economically viable and technically feasible to produce and deliver. By achieving this balance, businesses can increase their chances of success and create products and services that have a real impact on people's lives.

Furthermore, the concept of desirability, viability, and feasibility is not only relevant for product design and development, but also for business strategy and innovation. It can help businesses evaluate new opportunities and determine whether they are worth pursuing based on their potential desirability, viability, and feasibility.

For example, a business may identify a new market opportunity that appears to be highly desirable, but upon closer inspection, they may realise that it is not economically viable or technically feasible to pursue. By applying the desirability, viability, and feasibility framework, the business can make an informed decision about whether to pursue the opportunity or not, and avoid wasting resources on a project that is unlikely to succeed.

In conclusion, the links between desirability, viability, and feasibility are critical for the success of any new product, service, or business idea. By understanding these links and striving to achieve a balance between them, businesses can create products and services that are both successful in the marketplace and have a positive impact on people's lives.