An approach used in capital budgeting where the present value of cash inflows is subtracted by the present value of cash outflows. NPV is used to analyze the profitability of an investment or project. NPV compares the value of a dollar today versus the value of that same dollar in the future, after taking inflation and return into account. If the NPV of a prospective project is positive, then it should be accepted. However, if it is negative, then the project probably should be rejected because cash flows are negative.