Compare the cost of operating, not just opening
Separate one-time setup from recurring costs and include management, specialist skills, workspace, fit-out, connectivity, cloud, enterprise licenses, security, professional advice, transition, travel and continuity. Cost categories depend on the selected model and scope.
Build a location decision from role and work requirements
Identify scarce skills, seniority, hiring sequence, customer or plant proximity, commute, travel, infrastructure, business continuity and leadership access. City reputation alone is not a decision method.
Use ranges and source each assumption
For volatile items, record a low/base/high range, source date, geography and confidence. Validate current provider quotes, hiring evidence, taxation and legal assumptions with appropriate specialists before investment approval.
Model dependencies and sensitivity
Test how hiring pace, occupancy, attrition, cloud use, productivity ramp, currency, delay and transition affect the case. Show which factors management can control and which remain uncertain.
Use the sequence as a discussion aid.
- 01Baseline work scope and role mix.
- 02List one-time, recurring, transition and risk-related cost categories.
- 03Capture current quotes and evidence with date, scope and confidence.
- 04Compare cities and models against the same assumptions.
- 05Stress-test timing, capacity, continuity and scale scenarios.
- 06Assign each assumption to a decision owner before approval.
Market data and standards remain subject to their source date and scope. This article offers general information, not legal, financial or regulated professional advice.