Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is a systematic approach used to evaluate the potential benefits and costs of a project, decision, or policy in order to determine whether it’s economically viable or worthwhile. It’s commonly used in economics, business, and public policy to make informed choices.

Here are the five steps of cost-benefit analysis:

Identify and Quantify Costs and Benefits:

In this step, you start by identifying all the costs and benefits associated with the project or decision. Costs can include things like direct expenses (e.g., materials, labor, operating costs), indirect costs (e.g., lost opportunity costs), and any other relevant expenses. Benefits, on the other hand, are the positive outcomes or gains that result from the project. These can be tangible (e.g., increased revenue, reduced accidents) or intangible (e.g., improved quality of life, enhanced reputation). It’s crucial to quantify these costs and benefits in monetary terms to make them comparable.

Assign Monetary Values:

Once you’ve identified the costs and benefits, you need to assign monetary values to them. This involves estimating the dollar amounts associated with each cost and benefit. It can be challenging, especially for intangible benefits like improved public health. Various techniques can be used, such as market prices, surveys, expert opinions, or historical data. The goal is to create a consistent and realistic representation of the monetary values.

Discount Future Values:

Money’s value changes over time due to factors like inflation and the opportunity cost of tying up funds. To account for this, you apply a discount rate to future costs and benefits. This essentially converts future values into present values, making them comparable to the costs and benefits in the current time. The choice of discount rate can have a significant impact on the analysis outcome.

Calculate Net Present Value (NPV):

The net present value is the core calculation in CBA. It’s the difference between the total present value of benefits and the total present value of costs. Mathematically, it’s calculated as: NPV = Σ(PV of Benefits) – Σ(PV of Costs). If the NPV is positive, it indicates that the benefits outweigh the costs and the project is potentially worthwhile. A negative NPV suggests that the costs exceed the benefits.

Perform Sensitivity Analysis and Make a Decision:

Sensitivity analysis involves testing the impact of changing key assumptions, such as the discount rate or the estimated values of costs and benefits. By doing this, you can see how sensitive your analysis is to different variables and gain a better understanding of potential risks and uncertainties. Based on the NPV and the results of sensitivity analysis, you can make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the project or decision. A positive NPV and a favorable risk profile generally suggest that the project is worth pursuing.

In summary, cost-benefit analysis is a structured approach that helps decision-makers assess the economic feasibility of a project or policy by weighing the quantified costs against the quantified benefits. It allows for a more informed and rational decision-making process, considering both financial and non-financial aspects.