Cost-Benefit Analysis

How do I use it?

• Students first think and list the positive aspects (benefits) as well as negative aspects (costs) of a given event, scenario, etc. This may require research.
• Next, students sort and list the costs and benefits in the appropriate columns of the Cost-Benefit Analysis reproducible. If they are unsure if a given item, scenario, etc. is a cost or a benefit, it can go in the “Unsure” column.
• After they have entered the costs and benefits, the students need to weigh the strengths of each, from +5 for the greatest benefit to -5 for the greatest cost. These numbers will be entered into the chart beside the cost or benefit. Finally, each column of weights is totalled, and the totals from the columns are entered into the equation at the bottom of the page. A descriptive conclusion is then written based on the evidence.

Variations

• Before doing curriculum-related cost-benefit analysis, students could do a practice cost-benefit analysis on an unrelated topic such as “Should I go on a summer exchange to Japan?” See the see Cost-Benefit Analysis Exemplar for a completed example.
• Students could complete the chart individually and then partner with another to compare their +’s and –‘s and then make a conclusion.

Assessment

• Students can assess their cost-benefit analysis using the Cost-Benefit Analysis Student Self-Assessment reproducible.