Final answer:
Option (A), Cost-benefit analysis is the technique that helps to determine the necessary volume of participants for a program to be financially self-sufficient by comparing marginal costs and benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the options given, the technique that allows the user to determine the volume of participants (pts) required for a program to be financially self-sufficient is Cost-benefit analysis (A). This process involves comparing the sacrifices and gains from a particular decision, often using a T-shaped chart to weigh marginal costs against marginal benefits.
Marginal costs refer to the extra cost of adding an additional unit (participant in this context), and marginal benefits refer to the extra benefit derived from adding that unit. By examining these incremental changes, one can determine the point at which the program becomes financially viable without the need for additional funding sources.
Revenue forecasting (B) might help project future income, but it does not directly assess the balance of costs versus benefits. Budgeting (C) helps to manage finances effectively but is not a method to ascertain self-sufficiency based on volume. Lastly, Cost-effectiveness analysis (D) compares the relative costs and outcomes of different courses of action but is not focused on determining the required participant volume for financial self-sufficiency.