How Long Does a Hospital Feasibility Study Take? A Stage-by-Stage Timeline for 2025

Planning a hospital? Get realistic timelines for each phase of your hospital feasibility study. We break down market analysis, financial modeling, and regulatory steps with clear timelines for doctors & investors.

Introduction: The Timeline Question Every Hospital Promoter Asks

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” This Benjamin Franklin quote perfectly captures why hospital promoters—whether doctors or investors—inevitably ask: “How long will our feasibility study take?”

A hospital feasibility study isn’t a single task; it’s a comprehensive investigative process. The timeline varies significantly based on project scope, location, and data accessibility. However, based on our experience delivering over 50+ studies across India, most comprehensive hospital feasibility studies take 6 to 18 weeks from kickoff to final deliverable.

This guide breaks down exactly what to expect week-by-week, helping you plan your resources and set realistic expectations for your hospital project.

The Realistic Timeline: 6-8 Week Framework

Typical timeline for a 150-bed multi-specialty hospital in Tier-2 India

Week-by-Week Breakdown: What Really Happens at Each Stage

Stage 1: Project Scoping & Kickoff (Weeks 1)

Goal Alignment: This foundation stage ensures everyone—promoters, doctors, investors—shares the same vision.

Research Method	Time Required	Key Insight
Secondary Data Review	2 weeks	Population growth trends, disease prevalence
Competitor Mapping	3 weeks	Service gaps, pricing benchmarks
Physician Interviews	2 weeks	Specialist availability, partnership interest
Patient Flow Analysis	2 weeks	Referral patterns, payer mix

Key Activities:

• Stakeholder workshops to define project vision, scale, and key objectives
• Preliminary desktop research on potential locations
• Development of the detailed study methodology and work plan
  

Realistic Output:

• Signed project charter and scope document
• Detailed work plan with milestones
• Initial catchment area definition
  

Pro Tip for Doctors/Investors:

“Dedicate time in Week 1 for thorough stakeholder alignment. Rushing this stage often leads to scope changes later, adding weeks to your timeline.”

Stage 2: Deep-Dive Market & Demographic Analysis (Weeks 2-3)

The “Proof of Demand” Phase: This is typically the longest stage, requiring extensive field research.

Key Activities:

• Comprehensive demographic profiling (population, income levels, disease patterns)
• Mystery shopping and competitor analysis (pricing, services, occupancy rates)
• Primary research with physicians and potential referral networks
• Demand-supply gap analysis by specialty
  

Sample Data Collection Timeline:

For Investors: This phase answers your fundamental question: “Is there enough sustainable demand to achieve target occupancy rates?”

Stage 3: Technical & Regulatory Assessment (Weeks 4-5)

Running Parallel to Market Research: This stage evaluates physical and legal viability.

Key Activities:

• Site visits and evaluation (soil testing, connectivity, infrastructure)
• Preliminary space programming and department flow planning
• Regulatory pathway mapping (NABH, Clinical Establishment Act, local building codes)
• Medical equipment and technology assessment
  

Timeline Risk Factors:

• Regulatory Complexity: Projects requiring Certificate of Need (CON) may add 4-6 weeks
• Site Issues: Unstable soil or inadequate utilities can extend timeline by 2-3 weeks
• Environmental Clearances: Particularly sensitive locations may require additional studies
  

Stage 4: Financial Modeling & Viability Analysis (Weeks 6-7)

The “Bottom Line” Phase: Where all research translates into financial projections.

Key Activities:

• Revenue modeling by specialty (based on market demand)
• CAPEX and OPEX estimation
• 5-7 year financial projections (P&L, cash flow, balance sheet)
• Investment metrics calculation (IRR, NPV, DSCR, break-even analysis)
• Sensitivity analysis and risk assessment
  

Typical Financial Modeling Evolution:

Week 10: Base case model (optimistic scenario)

Week 11: Realistic scenario (adjusted for market feedback)

Week 12: Conservative scenario (stress-testing assumptions)

Week 13: Sensitivity analysis (what-if scenarios)

Stage 5: Final Reporting & Strategic Recommendations (Week 8)

Synthesis and Strategy Development: Compiling all findings into an actionable roadmap.

Key Activities:

• Compilation of all research findings into comprehensive report
• Development of strategic recommendations (go/no-go, optimal size, service mix)
• Preparation of executive summary and investor presentation
• Final stakeholder presentation and Q&A session
  

Final Deliverables Typically Include:

• Comprehensive feasibility study report (80-100 pages)
• Executive summary for board presentations
• Financial model (Excel with assumptions)
• Strategic roadmap with implementation timeline
  

Factors That Can Accelerate or Delay Your Timeline

Timeline Accelerators (Can reduce by 1-2 weeks)

• Clear project vision from Day 1
• Experienced consulting team with established methodologies
• Good quality secondary data availability
• Responsive client team for quick decision-making
• Single location focus without complex regulatory requirements

Timeline Extenders (Can extend by 2-4 weeks)

• Multiple location evaluations
• Complex regulatory environment (e.g., CON requirements)
• Poor data availability requiring extensive primary research
• Frequent scope changes or stakeholder conflicts
• Large catchment area (50km+ radius) requiring extensive fieldwork

Regional Variations: India-Specific Timelines (2025)

Project Type	Typical Timeline	Key Time Drivers
50-Bed Specialty Hospital (Tier-2)	6-8 weeks	Faster regulatory clearances, simpler competition mapping
200-Bed Multi-specialty (Metro)	8-10 weeks	Complex competitor landscape, multiple regulatory bodies
Hospital Expansion Project	6-7 weeks	Existing patient data available, focused scope

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can a feasibility study be completed in less than 6 weeks?
A: While possible for very small projects (under 30 beds) or expansions, compressing it below 6 weeks is possible. 

Q2: What’s the single biggest cause of timeline delays?
A: Stakeholder indecision. Projects where promoters cannot align on basic parameters (bed size, key specialties, location) in the first two weeks typically experience 3-4 week delays.

Q3: As a doctor-promoter, how much time commitment is required from my side?
A: Plan for 2-3 hours per week, concentrated in Weeks 1-2 (scoping) and for review and presentation. Your key input is needed on clinical service planning and physician network insights.

Q4: For investors, when in the timeline do we see the financial projections?
A: Preliminary numbers are available by last week, but the validated financial model with sensitivity analysis is presented after that.

Q5: What happens if the study reveals negative findings mid-way?
A: A professional consultant will flag red flags as early as Week 6-7 during market analysis. This allows for course correction—pivoting the project scope rather than abandoning it entirely.

Q6: How does the feasibility timeline relate to the overall project timeline?
A: The feasibility study represents approximately 10-15% of your total project timeline from concept to commissioning. A typical 200-bed hospital takes 24-36 months from study start to operation.

Checklist: Keeping Your Feasibility Study on Track

Before You Begin:

• All key stakeholders aligned on vision and budget
• Decision-making hierarchy clearly established
• Key team members identified and time allocated
• Data access permissions secured (if needed)
  

During the Study:

• Weekly status meetings scheduled
• Designated single point of contact from your team
• Decision-makers available for milestone approvals
• Feedback provided within agreed timelines (typically 48-72 hours)

Conclusion: Why Rushing Your Feasibility Study Costs More Later

A hospital represents a commitment of ₹50-200+ crores. The 8-16 weeks invested in a thorough feasibility study represent just 2-4% of your total project timeline but determine 80% of its success probability.

For doctors, this timeline ensures your clinical vision is grounded in market reality. For investors, it provides the due diligence needed to commit capital with confidence.

The question isn’t “Can we do it faster?” but “Can we afford to make a ₹100 crore decision without proper validation?”

About the Author

This timeline is based on the cumulative experience of Hospitech healthcare consulting team, derived from delivering over 50+ hospital feasibility studies across India and emerging markets. Our methodology has helped both first-time doctor-promoters and seasoned healthcare investors make data-driven decisions.

Ready to start your hospital project with a predictable, professional feasibility study?
Schedule a 20-minute consultation to discuss your specific project needs.