Kustannushyötysanalyysiä

Kustannushyötysanalyysiä, often abbreviated as CHA or BCA in English (Benefit-Cost Analysis), is a systematic process used to evaluate the economic feasibility of a project, policy, or investment. It involves comparing the total expected benefits of an undertaking with its total expected costs. The primary goal is to determine if the benefits outweigh the costs, and by how much, to inform decision-making.

The process typically begins with identifying all relevant costs and benefits associated with the proposed action. Costs can include direct expenses such as labor, materials, and capital investment, as well as indirect costs like environmental impact or social disruption. Benefits are often more varied and can include increased revenue, improved efficiency, enhanced safety, or positive environmental externalities.

Once identified, both costs and benefits are quantified and expressed in monetary terms, often over the expected lifespan of the project. This standardization allows for direct comparison. Various methods are employed for valuation, including market prices, shadow prices for non-market goods, and discounting future values to present values to account for the time value of money.

The core outcome of a kustannushyötysanalyysiä is often a benefit-cost ratio (BCR), where benefits are divided by costs. A BCR greater than one suggests that the benefits exceed the costs, indicating a potentially worthwhile investment. Other metrics may also be calculated, such as net present value (NPV) or internal rate of return (IRR). Kustannushyötysanalyysiä is a valuable tool for public sector decision-making, infrastructure planning, and private sector investment appraisal.