Kustannushyötysanalyysi

Kustannushyötysanalyysi, often translated as Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), is a systematic process used to evaluate the desirability of a given action or project by comparing its anticipated costs with its anticipated benefits. The goal is to determine whether the expected advantages of undertaking a project outweigh the expected costs. This analytical tool is widely employed in fields such as economics, public policy, business decision-making, and engineering.

The process typically involves identifying all relevant costs and benefits, quantifying them in monetary terms as much as possible, and then comparing the total benefits to the total costs. If the benefits exceed the costs, the project is generally considered financially viable or desirable. Various methods exist for calculating and comparing these values, often including discounting future costs and benefits to their present value to account for the time value of money.

Key challenges in conducting a thorough kustannushyötysanalyysi include accurately identifying and quantifying all potential costs and benefits, especially intangible ones like environmental impact or improved public morale. It also requires making assumptions about future outcomes, which can introduce uncertainty. Despite these challenges, CBA remains a valuable framework for making informed decisions by providing a structured approach to weighing the pros and cons of different options.