Which concept involves comparing several programs that have the same goal to determine the most efficient approach?

• A. Benchmarking
• B. Cost-benefit analysis
• C. Cost-effectiveness analysis
• D. Program evaluation

Answer: (C)

When you have several programs aiming for the same outcome, you want to know which one achieves that outcome most efficiently relative to cost. That approach, called cost-effectiveness analysis, compares how much each program costs to produce a defined level of outcome, using a common unit of measure for the effect (for example, cost per crime solved or cost per prevented injury). It helps decision-makers pick the option that delivers the target result with the least expense per unit of impact. Benchmarking, by contrast, looks at performance against standards or peers and isn’t focused on the cost per unit of outcome. Cost-benefit analysis translates outcomes into monetary terms to see if benefits exceed costs, which is useful for overall value but not inherently about comparing efficiency across multiple programs for a single goal. Program evaluation is broader, assessing overall effectiveness and implementation rather than directly ranking efficiency among several approaches.