Public Sector CoP – Cost-Benefit Analysis for Public and Non-Profit Initiatives

Speaker: Michael V. Costanzo

Abstract:

In the absence of profit motive, it can be difficult to assign economic value to public and non-profit sector initiatives. Despite these challenges, quantitative analysis of programs and projects are an important part of the sound financial stewardship of public resources. In this presentation, Michael will discuss the policy analysis process and the development of cost-benefit analyses for public sector projects. A special focus will be placed on the quantification of economic benefits using a variety of methods including market analogs, intermediate goods pricing, travel cost analysis, and hedonic pricing. The presentation will wrap up with a discussion of discounting, time horizons, and sensitivity analysis of quantitative benefits.

Learning Objectives:

1. An understanding of the policy analysis process and cost-benefit development
2. Exposure to alternative methods of benefit quantification
3. Use of discounting & sensitivity analysis in decision making

About the Speaker:

Michael Costanzo is the Director of Systems Development and Support for the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer. He has 20 years of experience in the IT field as a software developer, systems administrator and project manager in both state government and the pharmaceutical industry. In his current role, he oversees projects and operations for a variety of financial systems including North Carolina's Core Banking platform and ORBIT, the State's pension administration system. Michael holds a Master of Science in Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina State University.