Opportunity Cost Thinking

Two operative prompts (use these first)

1. Next-best alternative: "If we didn't do this, what is the single best thing we'd do with the same resources instead?" That foregone option is the cost.
2. Explicit do-nothing: "What happens if we change nothing?" Always put status quo on the list — it's often undervalued and sometimes wins.

If both answers are cheap/obvious, you don't need the full framework below — just decide.

Overview

Opportunity cost is the value of the next-best alternative foregone when making a choice. Every decision to do X is simultaneously a decision not to do Y, Z, and everything else. Engineers often focus on the value of their chosen path while underweighting what they're giving up.

Core Principle: The true cost of anything is what you give up to get it. A "free" option that consumes time has massive opportunity cost.

When to Use