Deterding, S., Dixon, D., Khaled, R. and Nacke, L. (2011a) âFrom Game Design Elements to Gamefulness: Defining âGamificationââ, Envisioning Future Media Environments - Conference proceedings, MindTrekâ11, Tampere, pp. 9â15.
The payback method is a simple way to evaluate the number of years or months it takes to return the initial investment. The payback period is usually expressed in years. Start by calculating net cash flow for each year: net cash flow year one = cash inflow year one - cash outflow year one.
Payback period in capital budgeting refers to the period of time required to recoup the funds expended in an investment, or to reach the break-even point. For example, a $1000 investment which returned $500 per year would have a two-year payback period. The time value of money is not taken into account. Payback period intuitively measures how long something takes to pay for itself.. All else being equal, shorter payback periods are preferable to longer payback periods.