kosteneffizient

Kosteneffizient, or cost-efficient in English, is a property of a product, process, or solution that achieves its intended outcomes at the lowest possible total cost over its lifecycle. The concept focuses on economic efficiency rather than only initial price, considering capital expenditure, operating costs, maintenance, and end-of-life costs.

Assessment typically uses methods such as total cost of ownership (TCO), lifecycle cost analysis, return on investment (ROI), net present value (NPV), and payback period. Decision-makers compare alternatives by estimating costs and expected benefits over a defined horizon, and they may apply sensitivity analyses to account for uncertainty.

Applications span manufacturing, construction, information technology, energy systems, and procurement. Examples include designing a product with standardized components to reduce inventory, selecting energy-efficient equipment to lower operating costs, and choosing scalable IT infrastructure that avoids large up-front investments while delivering required performance.

Limitations and trade-offs include potential compromises in quality, reliability, or resilience; lower upfront cost may increase maintenance or risk. True kosteneffizienz depends on accurate lifecycle assumptions; externalities such as environmental impact or social costs may be ignored if not explicitly included. Related concepts include cost-benefit analysis, value engineering, and cost-effectiveness.