Evaluating intangible outcomes: Using multiattribute utility analysis to compare the benefits and costs of social programs

Increasingly, program managers are required to evaluate programs with multiple outcomes against costs. This is difficult when program outcomes are not easily translated into a common metric. This article compares cost benefit analysis with Multiple Attribute Utility Technology and discusses the application of judgment in both analytical techniques. Multiple Attribute Utility Technology is illustrated with a case example to demonstrate how it may be applied to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of programs with multiple intangible outcomes.