Where are depreciation and capital charges included within a business case?

Depreciation and capital charges are included in the financial appraisals section of a business case because this part focuses specifically on the monetary aspects of a project or investment. Financial appraisals assess the costs and financial implications associated with a project, including initial capital expenditure, operation costs, revenue generation, and the impact of depreciation, which is the decrease in value of an asset over time. Capital charges represent the cost of utilizing capital to fund a project, encompassing the cost of equity and debt financing.

Incorporating these elements allows stakeholders to understand the long-term financial viability and sustainability of the project, providing essential insight for decision-making.

Other sections, such as strategic appraisals, primarily focus on alignment with organizational goals and objectives; project proposals outline the project plan and expected outcomes; and risk assessments evaluate potential risks and uncertainties rather than financial accounting aspects. These differences clarify why the financial appraisal is the correct context for discussing depreciation and capital charges.