Engineering Project Evaluation and Cost-Benefit Analysis

Every major engineering and infrastructure project requires a rigorous evaluation to prove its viability before a single brick is laid. Understanding how to balance financial costs against public and environmental benefits is a critical skill for modern project planners. This text-based course guides you through the fundamental principles of engineering economics and project evaluation. You will transition from basic financial concepts to conducting comprehensive cost-benefit analyses that incorporate modern sustainability and risk metrics. What you will learn: 1. Understand the core principles of engineering economics, including the time value of money and discounting. 2. Calculate key financial metrics such as Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Benefit-Cost (B/C) ratios. 3. Quantify environmental and social benefits alongside traditional financial cash flows. 4. Analyze project risks and uncertainties using sensitivity analysis frameworks. 5. Evaluate competing project alternatives to select the most efficient and sustainable solutions. The course begins with foundational concepts of project cash flows and interest formulas before moving into structured evaluation methodologies. You will then explore how to apply these techniques to real-world infrastructure and environmental scenarios through written case studies and step-by-step calculations. This course is designed for beginners in engineering, project management, and public planning, with no prior background in finance or economics required. Start building the analytical skills needed to justify and guide successful engineering projects today.