Costs, benefits, and unintended effects

Step 1 — Read the observation: A program requires equipment and staff time. Step 2 — Recall the relevant idea: A direct cost is a resource requirement closely tied to implementation. Step 3 — Connect the observation to the idea: The scenario is an illustration of direct cost. Step 4 — Check the limit: This short scenario illustrates the concept; it does not establish every detail or exclude every other influence in a real situation.

Step 1 — Read the observation: Funds used for one project cannot support another planned use. Step 2 — Recall the relevant idea: Opportunity cost is the value of the best foregone alternative. Step 3 — Connect the observation to the idea: The scenario is an illustration of opportunity cost. Step 4 — Check the limit: This short scenario illustrates the concept; it does not establish every detail or exclude every other influence in a real situation.

Step 1 — Read the observation: A safety program is assessed against recorded incident patterns. Step 2 — Recall the relevant idea: A benefit is an improvement relative to a stated outcome and comparison. Step 3 — Connect the observation to the idea: The scenario is an illustration of public benefit. Step 4 — Check the limit: This short scenario illustrates the concept; it does not establish every detail or exclude every other influence in a real situation.

Step 1 — Read the observation: A new route unexpectedly shifts traffic to a quieter street. Step 2 — Recall the relevant idea: An unintended consequence is an effect not central to the original plan. Step 3 — Connect the observation to the idea: The scenario is an illustration of unintended consequence. Step 4 — Check the limit: This short scenario illustrates the concept; it does not establish every detail or exclude every other influence in a real situation.

Step 1 — Read the observation: A maintenance-heavy option is examined beyond its purchase year. Step 2 — Recall the relevant idea: A time horizon specifies how long costs and outcomes are evaluated. Step 3 — Connect the observation to the idea: The scenario is an illustration of time horizon. Step 4 — Check the limit: This short scenario illustrates the concept; it does not establish every detail or exclude every other influence in a real situation.

Step 1 — Read the observation: Officials compare actual results with the promised objective. Step 2 — Recall the relevant idea: Monitoring tracks outcomes so a policy can be reassessed. Step 3 — Connect the observation to the idea: The scenario is an illustration of monitoring. Step 4 — Check the limit: This short scenario illustrates the concept; it does not establish every detail or exclude every other influence in a real situation.