COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS (CBA)
Evaluating Economic Viability and Optimizing Investment Decisions with Analytical Tools and Financial Insight
Course Schedule
| Date | Venue | Fees (Face-to-Face) |
|---|---|---|
| 24 – 26 Feb 2026 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | USD 2495 per delegate |
| 03 – 05 Mar 2026 | Doha, Qatar | USD 2495 per delegate |
| 23 – 25 Jun 2026 | Manama, Bahrain | USD 2495 per delegate |
Course Introduction
Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) is a critical tool for evaluating the economic feasibility and comparative advantage of projects, policies, and investments. By quantifying costs and benefits over time, decision-makers can assess the value generated and make informed resource allocation choices that align with organizational goals and public value.
This comprehensive 3-day training course equips professionals with the methodologies, tools, and judgment skills required to conduct robust CBAs. Participants will explore discounted cash flow models, economic and financial metrics, sensitivity testing, and stakeholder impact analysis through hands-on exercises and real-world case studies.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
• Understand the theoretical foundations and purpose of CBA
• Identify and classify tangible and intangible costs and benefits
• Apply time value of money techniques, including NPV, IRR, and BCR
• Conduct sensitivity and scenario analyses to test decision robustness
• Use CBA results to support transparent, evidence-based decision-making
Key Benefits of Attending
• Gain practical skills in evaluating projects, policies, and investments
• Learn to quantify non-financial impacts such as social or environmental outcomes
• Improve the rigor and transparency of your financial evaluations
• Meet donor, regulatory, or board requirements for economic justification
• Strengthen your confidence in investment recommendation and justification
Intended Audience
This program is designed for:
• Financial analysts and investment professionals
• Economists and policy advisors
• Project managers and planners
• Government officials and regulatory analysts
• Business development and procurement professionals
Individual Benefits
Key competencies that will be developed include:
• Proficiency in building and analyzing cost-benefit models
• Ability to present clear, data-supported investment justifications
• Skills in assessing risk, time, and uncertainty in project valuations
• Confidence in aligning project proposals with stakeholder expectations
• Capacity to meet internal and external scrutiny with structured evidence
Organization Benefits
Upon completing the training course, participants will demonstrate:
• More informed and financially sound project approvals
• Increased return on investment through data-driven decisions
• Better alignment between public spending and economic value
• Enhanced accountability and reporting to stakeholders
• Reduced project failure risk and resource misallocation
Instructional Methdology
The course follows a blended learning approach combining theory with practice:
• Strategy Briefings – CBA concepts, steps, and decision rules
• Case Studies – Real-world applications of CBA in infrastructure, policy, and development
• Workshops – Building NPV models, risk-adjusted scenarios, and evaluation reports
• Peer Exchange – Group analysis of project appraisals and assumptions
• Tools – Excel templates, checklists, and valuation frameworks
Course Outline
DETAILED 3-DAY COURSE OUTLINE
Training Hours: 07:30 AM – 03:30 PM
Daily Format: 3–4 Learning Modules | Coffee breaks: 09:30 & 11:15 | Lunch Buffet: 01:00 – 02:00
Day 1: Fundamentals of Cost Benefit Analysis
- Module 1: Introduction to CBA (07:30 – 09:30)
• What is CBA and when to use it
• Financial vs. economic analysis
• Key evaluation criteria: NPV, BCR, IRR - Module 2: Identifying Costs and Benefits (09:45 – 11:15)
• Tangible and intangible impacts
• Direct vs. indirect and incremental costs
• Economic externalities and social value - Module 3: Time Value of Money and Discounting (11:30 – 01:00)
• Net Present Value (NPV) and Discounted Cash Flows
• Selecting discount rates and time horizons
• Presenting results for decision-makers - Module 4: Workshop – CBA Planning Template (02:00 – 03:30)
• Mapping out a cost-benefit structure for a sample project
Day 2: Valuation, Modeling, and Economic Analysis
- Module 1: Valuing Benefits and Non-Market Impacts (07:30 – 09:30)
• Methods for pricing health, safety, time savings, and environment
• Willingness-to-pay and shadow pricing techniques
• Adjusting for inflation and exchange rates - Module 2: Building a CBA Model in Excel (09:45 – 11:15)
• Input assumptions and output dashboards
• Modeling multi-year costs and benefits
• Using financial functions and data tables - Module 3: Interpreting Results and Comparing Options (11:30 – 01:00)
• Interpreting BCR, NPV, and IRR
• Ranking and selecting alternatives
• Cost-effectiveness and break-even analysis - Module 4: Workshop – Excel-Based CBA (02:00 – 03:30)
• Participants build and present a CBA model for review
Day 3: Sensitivity, Risk Analysis, and Communication
- Module 1: Sensitivity and Scenario Analysis (07:30 – 09:30)
• Identifying key drivers and uncertain variables
• Conducting one-way and multi-variable sensitivity tests
• Modeling best-case, base-case, and worst-case scenarios - Module 2: Risk Analysis and Decision-Making Under Uncertainty (09:45 – 11:15)
• Probability-weighted analysis and risk-adjusted NPV
• Monte Carlo simulation (conceptual overview)
• Interpreting risk profiles - Module 3: Reporting and Presenting CBA Findings (11:30 – 01:00)
• Structuring reports and decision memos
• Visualizing CBA outputs
• Stakeholder-focused communication - Module 4: Final Workshop – CBA Review and Feedback (02:00 – 03:30)
• Teams present their CBA findings
• Trainer and peer feedback
• Wrap-up and reflections
Certification
Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion in Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), confirming their ability to conduct robust economic appraisals that support informed decision-making across public and private sector investments.