Break-Even Analysis and Sensitivity Analysis are two types of project analysis that can be used to evaluate the sensitivity of Net Present Value (NPV) estimates to measurement error.
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Break-Even Analysis: This method determines the point at which total costs equal total revenues, i.e., the point where the project neither makes a profit nor incurs a loss. In the context of NPV sensitivity, it helps identify the minimum level of sales or output required for the project to recover its initial investment. If there's measurement error in estimating costs or revenue projections, the break-even point might change, affecting the viability of the project.
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Sensitivity Analysis: This technique assesses how sensitive the NPV is to changes in key input parameters, such as discount rates, cash flows, or the useful life of an asset. By varying these inputs within a range of plausible values, sensitivity analysis reveals how much the NPV would change under different scenarios. It helps identify the parameters with the most significant impact on the NPV and highlights the uncertainty associated with measurement errors in those inputs.
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