{"id":8752,"date":"2022-08-08T10:00:50","date_gmt":"2022-08-08T09:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/?p=8752"},"modified":"2026-01-06T15:45:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T15:45:15","slug":"run-cost-benefit-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/run-cost-benefit-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"How to run a cost-benefit analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/category\/money-matters\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Money Matters<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to run a cost-benefit analysis\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2022-08-08T10:00:50+01:00\">8 August, 2022<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"How to run a cost-benefit analysis\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/run-cost-benefit-analysis\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/author\/keirthomasbryant\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/04\/Keir-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"Keir Thomas-Bryant\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/04\/Keir-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/04\/Keir.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 40px) 100vw, 40px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Keir Thomas-Bryant<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A cost-benefit analysis is a vital part of starting and running any project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we talk about how they work and what you need to do to perform one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s what we cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#what-anchor-link\">What is a cost-benefit analysis?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#start-anchor-link\">Start by attaching values to your project<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#consider-anchor-link\">Consider potential costs<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#do-anchor-link\">Do a comparison to see if benefits outweigh costs<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#final-anchor-link\">Final thoughts<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#gate-398e695c-7974-4818-8195-a9d92f0bcd9e\">Download your free copy of 7 tips to supercharge your business decisions to help you make the right choices so your company thrives<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-anchor-link\">What is a cost-benefit analysis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In practice, a cost-benefit analysis is the comparative assessment of benefits along with its associated costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It gives you the information you need to frame objectives, calculate estimates of needed resources, and define objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Performing one isn&#8217;t difficult, but it is often overlooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s look at how one works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"start-anchor-link\">Start by attaching values to your project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first step of your analysis is to attach a value to every aspect of your project or business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For some things, this is easy \u2013 physical assets have a monetary value, for instance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More difficult is calculating values for things such as labour. These values may have to be estimated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wherever possible, you should express these values in monetary terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You should also take note of what costs are recurring and what aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, you\u2019ll want to consider some potential values:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The cost of not doing a project<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The cost of your project or business failing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The opportunity costs, or the potential benefits you may have accrued had you invested your time elsewhere.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"consider-anchor-link\">Consider potential costs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No project happens in one moment, so it\u2019s important to consider the potential costs of your project over time \u2013 obviously, noting your recurring costs above facilitates this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alongside this, you need to work out how far into the future you expect to accrue benefit from your project, as well as certain assumptions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Inflation needs to be considered in your analysis, although you&#8217;ll want to convert all values into current monetary values (real cost).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lost return on your investment is the amount you would have made by investing the money you spent on the project.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These two figures give you the net present value of your project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s also worth keeping in mind that the further into the future your estimates go, the less reliable they are, as a changing environment can make them redundant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-anchor-link\">Do a comparison to see if benefits outweigh costs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you have calculated your costs and benefits, you\u2019ll need to compare them quantitatively to determine if the benefits outweigh the costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If they do, then you have the rationale needed to go forward with the project, based on your objectives and goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If they don\u2019t, you\u2019ll need to go back to the drawing board \u2013 review your proposed project to see if adjustments are possible that will allow you to take it forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If this isn&#8217;t possible, you may have to abandon your project. But on the bright side, at least you&#8217;ll have saved time and money by not pursuing something that wouldn&#8217;t provide the desired result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-anchor-link\">Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taking the time to perform a cost-benefit analysis is worth your while for any projects or business ideas that you&#8217;d like to pursue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s good to carry them out before you get too attached to an idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And as covered above, they can help you save time and money if your project isn&#8217;t deemed to be something that will help you reach your goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the flip side, performing the analysis can show you that actually, you&#8217;re on the right path with your project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If that&#8217;s the case, now it&#8217;s time to put it into action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">7 tips to supercharge your business decisions<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Discover the seven powerful insights that can help to keep your business healthy, wealthy and wise.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-398e695c-7974-4818-8195-a9d92f0bcd9e\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download your free guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" 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Learn key changes from 1 July, common mistakes, and how to apply the correct VAT rate.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-17843 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-business-finances tag-business-planning tag-business-strategy business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/budget-forecasting\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" 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2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">11 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow to create accurate budget forecasts: Methods, tools, and real-world examples\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-17798 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-business-planning tag-business-strategy business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/scenario-planning\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-872019580-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-872019580-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-872019580-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-872019580-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-04-09T14:23:53+01:00\">9 April, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">12 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tScenario planning: What it is, how\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0used, and benefits\u00a0\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-17773 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-technology-innovation tag-ai tag-artificial-intelligence tag-business-performance tag-business-planning tag-employee-engagement tag-security-fraud business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business business_type-accountants\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/ai-cyber-security\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1417607997-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1417607997-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1417607997-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1417607997-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-04-01T12:11:21+01:00\">1 April, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">7 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tAI Is accelerating familiar attacks: What\u2019s changing, and how leaders should respond\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-17609 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-technology-innovation category-trends-insights tag-ai tag-artificial-intelligence tag-business-intelligence tag-business-planning tag-cloud tag-fintech tag-workplace-technology business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business business_type-accountants\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/sage-copilot\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1488918938-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1488918938-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1488918938-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1488918938-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-02-12T15:36:02+00:00\">12 February, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tSage Copilot: Secure by design, AI made ready for finance\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how a cost-benefit analysis gives you the information you need to frame objectives, calculate needed resources and define objectives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":280,"featured_media":8456,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_page_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_article_type":"","_sage_video":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"163","post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"_pwl_sage_podcast_buzzsprout_src":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[163],"tags":[260],"business_type":[5],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[232],"imagine_tag":[230],"coauthors":[393],"class_list":["post-8752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-matters","tag-business-planning","business_type-small-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-ie","author_name":"Keir 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