This course describes the economic viability of an engineering project through the application of net present value, internal rate of return, and payback period analysis. The impacts of depreciation, taxes, inflation, and foreign exchange are addressed. The capital budgeting process is discussed, showing how companies make decisions to optimize their investment portfolio. Risk is mitigated through the application of quantitative techniques such as scenario analysis, sensitivity analysis, and real options analysis.
Project Valuation and the Capital Budgeting Process
This course is part of Finance for Technical Managers Specialization
Instructor: Michael J. Readey, Ph.D.
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What you'll learn
Determine the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and payback periods (PBP) of a series of cash flows using spreadsheet analysis
Apply NPV, IRR, and PBP criteria to evaluate an organization’s investment options
Understand depreciation of capital assets, income taxes, and the effects of inflation and foreign exchange on cash flow
Build a sophisticated financial model by incorporating realistic cash flows for a project
Skills you'll gain
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There are 5 modules in this course
Considers more complex cash flow scenarios involving multiple cash flows, perpetuities, and the impact of multiple compounding interest periods per year. Many practical problems are worked both analytically and with spreadsheets.
What's included
7 videos1 reading3 quizzes1 discussion prompt
Project valuation determines whether the financial benefits are greater than the required investment. There are three primary valuation metrics used in business: the net present value, the payback period, and the internal rate of return. This module explores how to determine these metrics both analytically and using spreadsheet analyses.
What's included
8 videos4 quizzes
Project valuation criteria such as the NPV and IRR determine whether a project’s financial benefits are greater than the required investment. Companies use these metrics to select projects for funding during the annual capital budgeting process. Technical managers also make investment decisions but are often constrained to select only one alternative from several good ones. This module covers several project selection techniques to ensure the best project is selected.
What's included
5 videos4 quizzes
Preparing a comprehensive cash flow analysis for any investment requires accounting for the depreciation of equipment and other assets and the taxes paid on the project’s profits. Inflation can also significantly impact future cash flows and therefore must be addressed as well. This module develops the concepts of depreciation, taxes, and inflation and shows how these are determined.
What's included
7 videos3 quizzes
A critical element of a project’s business case is the financial justification – it needs to make good business sense for the company. This module focuses on the three primary components of a project’s cash flow statement: operations, net working capital, and capital spending. The project’s financial valuation is then conducted on the total cash flows, resulting in the NPV, IRR, and Payback Period to assess whether the project is financially worthwhile.
What's included
6 videos2 readings3 quizzes
Instructor
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Leadership and Management
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Boulder
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This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
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