The techniques of project financial and economic analysis and impact assessment are becoming increasingly important as methods of choosing between projects where resources, both financial and human, are limited.

The use of recognised assessment techniques for project proposals has become mandatory as part of the selection and justification process for projects funded by the international financial institutions such as the World Bank, the African, Asian and Inter-American Development Banks as well as regional banks and other donor agencies.

This course is designed around the areas of project planning, investment appraisal, social cost-benefit analysis, project risk, distributional effects and impact assessment. It has a emphasis on development projects, which are wholly or partially funded from the public sector.

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• Analyze the reasons for project and program appraisal and evaluation
• Understand the significance of the project cycle and the different stages and components of the project cycle
• Assess risk and uncertainty in project appraisal
• Apply techniques risk analysis
• Understand the application of the cost-benefit analysis
• Measure the income distribution
• Apply the valuation techniques
• Assess how to improve the effectiveness of ESIA

• What is a Project?
• The Project Cycle
• Project Planning Techniques
• Project Quality Factors and Basic Needs
• The Measurement of Project Performance
• Cash Flow Analysis
• Mutually Exclusive Projects and Other Issues
• Basic Steps in Social Cost-Benefit Analysis
• The Social Discount Rate
• Application of Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Valuation Techniques
• Revealed Preference (Indirect) Methods
• Contingent Valuation (CV) Methods
• Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA)
• The Limitations of Social Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Risk and Uncertainty Analysis in Project Appraisal
• Risk and Uncertainty
• Techniques for Risk Analysis
• Risk and Large Projects
• Distributional Issues and Social Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Measurement of Income Distribution
• Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
• Impact Mitigation/Enhancement and Monitoring
• ESIA Tools
• Improving the Effectiveness of ESIA
• ‘Specialised’ Assessment Techniques
• Emerging Forms of Assessment