01 / 15 · GLOSSARY
01 / 15NPVDificultad

Net Present Value

How much your investment is worth in today's money. If positive, the business generates more than it costs. If negative, you're overpaying.

Analogía

If NPV is positive, your business is worth more than it costs. If negative, you're overpaying for an asset that doesn't perform.

Ejemplo numérico

NPV > 0: the project creates value — go ahead. NPV = 0: it just clears the minimum required. NPV < 0: it destroys value — drop it. Initial investment: $100,000. Annual cash flows of $30,000 for 5 years. MARR: 15%. → NPV = +$562. The project covers the MARR but with a thin margin — viable and tight.

Fórmula
NPV = Σ [Cash_t / (1 + r)^t] − Initial Investment

When to use it

When you want to know if a project creates value in today's money. It's the number-one metric to decide whether or not to invest in an idea.

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Definitions aligned with Blank & Tarquin, Engineering Economy, 8th edition — McGraw-Hill.