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'''Total [[cost]] of [[project]]''' is the sum of all expenses associated with a project from beginning to end. It includes costs for labor, materials, equipment, services, overhead and any other costs that are directly incurred as part of project execution. It also includes costs that are indirectly related to the project, such as taxes, [[insurance]], and finance charges. The total cost of a project is used to determine whether the project is worth the [[investment]] and should be pursued. It is important to accurately estimate the total cost of a project to ensure that the project will be successful.

==Example of total cost of project==
* For example, a small [[construction project]] may have a total cost of $100,000. This cost would include labor costs, materials, equipment rental, insurance, permits, and other fees.
* Another example of total cost of project is a [[software development]] project. This project may have a total cost of $500,000 and include costs for software development, hardware, software licenses, user [[training]], testing, and other associated costs.
* A third example of total cost of project is an advertising campaign. The total cost of a campaign may include costs for creative services, media placement, research, and [[production]]. All of these costs must be included in the total [[cost of the project]] to accurately estimate the cost of the campaign.

==Best practices of total cost of project==
# ''' Establish a budget''': Establishing a budget for the project is an important step in determining the total cost. A budget should include all expected costs, including labor, materials, equipment, services, and any other costs that are directly related to the project. It should also include any indirect costs that are related to the project, such as taxes, insurance, and finance charges.
# ''' Consider contingencies''': Contingencies are potential costs associated with unexpected events or changes to the project. They should be taken into account when determining the total cost of the project. Contingencies can include extra resources, additional materials, or unexpected delays.
# ''' Monitor costs''': Once the total cost of the project has been established, it is important to monitor the costs throughout the project. This will help to ensure that all costs are within the agreed budget and that the project is not running over budget.
# ''' Adjust the budget''': If the project is running over budget, it is important to adjust the budget accordingly. This may involve cutting costs in certain areas or allocating additional funds to the project.
# ''' Document all costs''': Lastly, it is important to document all costs associated with the project. This will help to ensure that all costs are accounted for and that the project is completed within the established budget.

==When to use total cost of project==
Total cost of [[project analysis]] is a useful tool for determining the feasibility of a project. It can be used to compare different proposals or to compare the cost of a project to the expected [[return on investment]]. It can also help to identify potential risks and areas of cost savings. Total cost of project analysis can be used in a variety of contexts, including:
* '''Project [[Planning]]''': Total cost of project analysis can be used to develop an effective project [[plan]] by identifying all of the costs associated with the project. This allows project managers to make more informed decisions about which tasks should be prioritized and how resources should be allocated.
* '''Cost Estimation''': Total cost of project analysis can also be used to estimate the cost of a project. This can be helpful when trying to determine a budget for a project or when deciding how much to bid on a project.
* '''[[Risk]] Analysis''': Total cost of project analysis can be used to identify potential risks associated with the project. This can help project managers make more informed decisions about which risks to mitigate and how to allocate resources to reduce the risk.
* '''Performance Monitoring''': Total cost of project analysis can be used to track the performance of a project over time. This can help project managers identify areas of potential cost savings or areas where performance could be improved.

==Elements of total cost of project==
The total cost of a project includes a variety of costs that can be broken down into the following categories:
* '''Direct Costs''': These are costs that can be attributed to a specific part of the project. Examples include labor costs, materials, equipment, and services.
* '''Indirect Costs''': These are costs that are related to the project, but are not necessarily linked to one specific part of it. Examples include taxes, insurance, and finance charges.
* '''Overhead Costs''': These are costs associated with running the project and can include things like administrative fees, rent, and utilities.
* '''Contingency Costs''': These are costs that are set aside in case of unforeseen circumstances or problems.
* '''Opportunity Costs''': These are costs associated with the potential of losing out on other opportunities due to the time and resources devoted to the project.

=Other approaches related to total cost of project==
Introduction: There are several other approaches related to total cost of project that can be used to determine the cost-effectiveness of a project.
* '''Life Cycle Costing (LCC)''': This is an approach to cost analysis that takes into account all of the costs associated with a project over its entire life cycle, from [[design and development]] through to use and disposal. It is used to identify and eliminate unnecessary costs as well as to allocate costs to the relevant stages in the life cycle of a [[product]] or [[service]].
* '''Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA)''': This is an approach to cost-benefit analysis that involves comparing the projected costs and benefits of a project over its life cycle to determine its cost [[efficiency]]. It is used to determine whether the [[benefits of the project]] outweigh the costs and to identify any potential areas of cost savings.
* '''Activity-Based Costing (ABC)''': This approach to cost accounting focuses on the activities that generate costs and allocates those costs to specific activities. It is used to identify and eliminate unnecessary costs as well as to allocate costs to the relevant activities within a project.
* '''Earned [[Value analysis|Value Analysis]] (EVA)''': This is a cost [[management]] technique that uses earned value metrics to measure a project’s progress and cost efficiency. It is used to identify areas of cost savings and to track project performance.
Summary: In conclusion, there are several approaches related to total cost of project that can be used to determine the cost-effectiveness of a project. These include Life Cycle Costing, Cost Benefit Analysis, Activity-Based Costing and Earned Value Analysis. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages and should be used in combination with other approaches to ensure the accuracy of the total cost of a project.

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==References==
* Dreizin, Y. (2006). ''[https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=6f777c2a50c989dafcdba9a2ecf6df7c1e576a12 Ashkelon seawater desalination project—off-taker’s self costs, supplied water costs, total costs and benefits]''. Desalination, 190(1-3), 104-116.
[[Category:Project management]]
[[Category:Financial management]]