90-749 Cost Benefit Analysis: A Capital Budgeting Approach

6 units, Carnegie Mellon University

As public policy analysts, we are often presented with making decisions that are economically efficient that is, how does one gain the most benefit for society, given limited resources Economics provides the theoretical foundation of decisionmaking, but putting theory into practice is not always easy. Costbenefit analysis CBA is an analytical tool used to determine the worth of a project, program, or policy. It identifies and attempts to quantify the costs and benefits of the project or program and provides decisionmakers with manageable information to find the best outcome. CBA helps managers to answer questions such as Does the proposal provide a net benefit to the community as a whole Should the projectprogrampolicy be undertaken Should the projectprogram be continued Which of the alternative projects should be undertaken The course employs various economic and statistical techniques to answer these questions, condensed into a 6week course.

Prerequisites: (90-709 (min C) or 90-710 (min C) or 91-803 (min C)) and (90-707 (min C) or 90-711 (min C) or 90-777 (min C) or 91-801 (min C)) and 90-723 (min C)

Offered: Spring 2027

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