Sensitivity Analysis
Sensitivity Analysis
Sensitivity analysis determines how a measure of worth PW, AW, FW, IROR,
is altered when one or more parameters (MARR , first cost, annual maintenance
cost , salvage value, estimated life, and materials costs) vary over a selected
range of values.
To perform sensitivity analysis, follows the following steps:
- Identify which parameter (s) of interest might vary from the most likely
estimated value.
- Identify the range of values change for this/these parameter (s).
- Identify the economic decision criterion (e.g., NPW, , AW, FW, IROR. etc.)
that will be used to perform the economic analysis.
- Compute the results for each parameter, using the measure of worth as
a basis.
- To better interpret the sensitivity, graphically display the parameter versus the
measure of worth.
Example (1):
The purchasing cost of a given equipment is $ 90,000 and its income for the
first year is $ 30,000 decreasing annually by $ 3,000. If the interest rate changes
between 10% and 25% and the equipment age ranges from 8 to 12 years. It is
required to study the sensitivity of the decision considering the effect of the
change of the interest rate and the age using the AW method. Neglect the
equipment salvage value.
Solution:
The cash flow could be represented as follows:
The sensitivity of the decision to the change is the interest rate:
In this case, let’s assume that the average age of the equipment is 10 years.
Then, calculate the AW at different values for i, (10, 15, 20 and 25%)
i = 10%
AW = -90000 (A/P, 10%, 10) + 30000 – 3000(A/G, 10%, 10)
= -90000 (0.16275) + 30000 – 3000 (3.7255) = $ 4176
Similarly, The AW could be calculated at different i as follows:
i = 15% AW = $ 1919
i = 20% AW = - $ 687
i = 25% AW = - $ 3600
the change of the interest rate changes the values of the AW from being positive
to negative. Accordingly, the decision changes with the change of the i values.
Solution:
First, let’s calculate the AW for both alternatives:
AWA = -230000 (A/P, 10%, 10) - 35000 + 40000(A/F, 10%, 10) = - 69,922
AWB = - 80000 (A/P, 10%, 5) -15000 = - 36,103
Assume that x represents the annual production (ton/year), the direct costs for
both alternatives could be represented as:
Direct cost A = 15x
Direct cost B = 40x
Accordingly, the total cost for both alternatives are:
Total cost A = 69922 + 15x
Total cost B = 36103 + 40x
By equating the total cost for both alternatives, then, the breakeven point
equals; x = 1353 ton/year
a. Thus means that, if the annual production is more than 1353 ton, then
alternative A is better.