Here is a very brief introductory course on Benefit: Cost Analysis in a series of 10 videos. The total duration is only 1 hour 14 minutes, so the content is basic, but it should still be useful for a beginner to start to learn about BCA.

You can watch the videos individually below or as a playlist on YouTube here.

Below these videos is a set of links to my blog posts on Benefit: Cost Analysis and information about more comprehensive training on BCA that is available.

1. What is Benefit: Cost Analysis?

2. The with-versus-without principle

3. Market values – demand

4. Non-market benefits

5. Adoption of required actions

6. Project risks

7. Project costs

8. Accounting for time – discounting

9. Criteria for selecting projects

10. Learning more about BCA

 

Blog posts on Benefit: Cost Analysis

• 33 – Thinking like an economist 9: Time is money
• 34 – Thinking like an economist 10: Values in the very long term
• 93 – Thinking like an economist 24: With and without
• 126 – Sensitivity analysis with economic models
• 213 – The environmental planning fallacy
• 218 – Valuing environmental intangibles, part 1: The options
• 219 – Valuing environmental intangibles, part 2: The pro’s
• 220 – Valuing environmental intangibles, part 3: The cons
• 221 – Valuing environmental intangibles, part 4: The upshot
• 224 – Torturing ourselves over discounting
• 257 – Be smart, use SMART goals
• 299 – Are higher house prices a benefit or a problem?
• 322. NPV versus BCR part 1
• 323. NPV versus BCR part 2
• 324. NPV versus BCR part 3
• 328. Weitzman discounting
• Decision criteria for Benefit-Cost Analysis – A world of confusion
• 352. Comparing projects of different lifespans in BCA
• 354. BCA criticisms: “any result you want”
• 357. BCA criticisms 2: “too much uncertainty”
• 362. BCA criticisms 3: “discounting is bad”
• 364. BCA criticisms 4: “not fair”
• 367. BCA challenges: over-optimism
• 369. BCA criticisms 5: “money isn’t everything”
• 373. BCA challenges: representing behaviour
• 376. BCA challenges: jobs
• 379. BCA challenges: Excess burden of taxation
• 382. BCA challenges: Who benefits? Who pays?

 

High quality BCA template

• 358. High-quality Benefit: Cost Analysis template, for free

 

Applied BCA course

If you’re interested in BCA, I invite you to consider enrolling in my 12-week online course on Applied Benefit: Cost Analysis. Build your BCA expertise and gain the practical skills you need to undertake a complex Benefit: Cost Analysis. Online: high-quality video lectures and interviews, live workshops. No existing economics background required.

Discounts are available for bulk enrolments and for enrolments from selected countries. Bursaries (with a discount of more than 90%) are also available for enrolments from selected countries.

For details of content, timing, pricing and how to apply for discounts or a bursary download this flier:
Applied BCA Flier v8. For details of the content of each course, see PD385.

The course runs starting in late February and late July each year. To enrol, click here or on the image at left, and go to the Business and Commerce section.

“A fantastic program and course. It is by far the best course I have been involved in. I learned so much and there is still lots to learn which you have shared with links so I can return to refresh/learn as needed.”

“Essential for new BCA users.”

“Taught in an engaging way with many real-world examples.”