• Opportunity cost is the lost benefit that would have been gained as a result of not choosing the option.

  • To correctly estimate the opportunity costs, it is necessary to take into account the costs and benefits of each available option and compare them with others.
  • Accounting for the cost of opportunity costs can help individuals and organizations make better decisions.
  • Opportunity cost is strictly intrinsic cost used for strategic thinking; not included in accounting profit and excluded from external financial statements.
  • Examples of opportunity costs include investing in a new manufacturing plant in Los Angeles rather than Mexico City, choosing not to upgrade a company’s equipment, or choosing the most expensive product packaging option over cheaper options.