In a simple cost-benefit analysis, which step comes after identifying costs and benefits?

• A. Collect qualitative feedback
• B. Implement the program
• C. Quantify benefits where possible, compute net benefits and ROI
• D. Develop a monitoring plan

Answer: (C)

In a simple cost-benefit analysis, once you’ve listed what costs and benefits exist, the next move is to put numbers on them as much as possible and compute the overall value. Quantifying benefits (and costs) creates a common, monetary basis for comparison, so you can determine the net benefits—total benefits minus total costs—and the return on investment. This step is essential because it shows whether the benefits outweigh the costs and by how much, guiding a clear yes-or-no decision. Some items may be hard to price exactly, so you estimate or note them, but the decision in this straightforward analysis rests on the quantified values. Collecting qualitative feedback, implementing the program, or designing a monitoring plan aren’t the immediate next steps in this phase; they occur in later stages or in broader evaluation efforts.