Hyötykustannuslaskenta

Hyötykustannuslaskenta, often translated as cost-benefit analysis, is an economic assessment method used to compare the total expected costs of a project or decision against its total expected benefits. The goal is to determine whether the benefits outweigh the costs, thus providing a rational basis for decision-making. This technique is widely applied in various fields, including public policy, environmental management, and business investment.

The process of hyötykustannuslaskenta involves identifying all potential costs and benefits, estimating their monetary values, and then comparing them. Costs can include direct expenses, such as labor and materials, as well as indirect costs, like environmental impact or loss of amenity. Benefits can similarly be direct, such as increased revenue or efficiency, or indirect, such as improved public health or conservation of natural resources.

A key challenge in hyötykustannuslaskenta is quantifying non-market goods and services, like clean air or biodiversity. Various methods, such as contingent valuation or hedonic pricing, are employed to assign monetary values to these intangible factors. The time value of money is also considered, with future costs and benefits typically discounted to their present values. A project is generally considered worthwhile if the present value of its benefits exceeds the present value of its costs. While a powerful tool, hyötykustannuslaskenta has limitations, including the subjectivity of value estimations and potential for biased assumptions.