Improving Transport Project Appraisals
In the Islamic Countries
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to quantify and monetise (such as effects on biodiversity) quickly have a weaker position in the
CBA report in relation to effects that are easy to quantify and expressed in money (such as
construction costs).
In practice it often appears that parties (due to a lack of knowledge about the instrument or
strategic considerations) either set the conclusions of the CBA as a decisive factor or completely
minimize the value of the CBA's conclusions in the decision-making process, by emphasizing on
the limitations of the instrument. Sophisticated use of the SCBA including the advantages and
limitations appears to be more difficult than it seems.
Therefore, it is stressed to involve the different stakeholders in a proper way before, during and
after the implementation of the SCBA. This can be done for example by organising a workshop
with all stakeholders and let them mention expected effects of the project they wanted to have
studied in the SCBA. This reduces the chance that relevant effects are not included. At the same
time, such meetings can increase support for the use of SCBA in decision-making.
2.1.7 Follow-up and learning
In an 'ex-post' analysis one analyses after the project has been established (whether the policy
measure has been implemented) which welfare effects have actually been realized as a result of
the project. An important advantage of (systematically) performing 'ex-post' analyses is that
effect estimates in 'ex-ante' analyses can be checked.
In the OEI-guideline, it is noted that an important source of information for ex-ante project
assessment may include ex-post evaluations of similar projects. It is therefore important to pay
more attention to properly executed project evaluations. The systematic execution of 'ex-post'
analyses can provide learning effects. When 'ex-post' analyses show that 'ex-ante' analyses
continually assess certain effects incorrectly, this can ensure that effects in 'ex-ante' analyses
are better assessed. Knowledge sharing is of great importance for realizing life effects.