Introduction to Cost Benefit Analysis

With Joanne Leung, Ministry of Transport

Cost-benefit analysis provides a structured framework for comparing costs to benefits and analysing which are greater overall.

The objective of this course is to provide participants with an appreciation of that framework, gain a broad understanding of the economic theory that underlies cost-benefit analysis, as well as the specific quantitative steps necessary to execute a cost-benefit analysis. The material covered in this course will be particularly useful for understanding the value for money from intervention and for preparing Regulatory Impact Statements.

[Target Audience and assumed background]

This course will be most helpful to policy advisors who need to understand the basic mechanics of a cost-benefit analysis, to conduct or be able to critically review cost-benefit analyses done by others. The knowledge gained in this course will also be highly applicable to the preparation of Regulatory Impact Statements and the provision of evidence-base policy advice.

[Course Objectives]

On completion of this course, participants should be able to:

· identify when a policy question or issue would benefit from cost-benefit analysis;

· where appropriate, to translate a generic statement of a policy question or issue into a properly framed cost-benefit analysis;

· appreciate how costs and benefits that occur over time should be handled, including discussion of the choice and application of a discount rate;

· aware of the methods for quantifying costs and benefits that are not immediately measurable in economic terms and their roles in cost-benefit analysis;

· recognise and appropriately incorporate costs and benefits that are not possible to quantify.

Cancellation policy

By submitting this Registration Form, you are confirming your availability to attend the GEN Training Course.

1. Cancellation will not be accepted. The booking will be charged and invoiced with the full fee.
2. If a registrant is unable to attend the course, the registration may be transferred to another suitable person to attend 2 days before start. All transfer requests must include the new attendee’s name, email address and telephone number and received in a written format and can be emailed to info@gen.org.nz.
3. No refunds will be given by GEN for no-shows.

DECLARATION: I hereby certify that I am duly authorised to complete this registration form and have read and understand the terms and conditions as stipulated above.