A device receives first well data associated with first wells where plunger lift is installed, and receives second well data associated with a candidate well where plunger lift is not installed. The device processes the first well data to determine pre-plunger lift installation data associated with the first wells, and processes the first well data and the pre-plunger lift installation data to determine a set of performing wells and a set of underperforming wells, of the first wells. The device processes the second well data and data associated with the set of performing wells to determine a first metric associated with the candidate well, and processes the second well data and data associated with the set of underperforming wells to determine a second metric associated with the candidate well. The device determines whether to install plunger lift in the candidate well based on the first metric and the second metric.