> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://valuemap.app/docs/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Costs The **Costs** tab follows the same structure as Benefits. Each cost object represents a distinct expenditure associated with the initiative, with its own definition, timing, value, and optional advanced settings. **Required role**
**Super Admin**, **Admin**, and **Contributor** can create, edit, and delete costs. **Viewer** can view costs but cannot make changes. Choose **Add new cost** to create from scratch, or **Add from template** to use a pre-configured cost saved at the product, portfolio, or org level. Work through the Attributes, Timing, Value, and Advanced sections described below. The **Live Financial Summary** panel updates in real time to reflect the new cost. ## Attributes | Field | Notes | | --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Cost name** | A descriptive name for this expenditure (e.g., "Software Licences - Year 1"). | | **Description** | Optional free-text context explaining the nature or source of this cost. | | **Cost type** | Classify the cost as **CapEx** (capital expenditure - investment in assets) or **OpEx** (operating expenditure - ongoing operational costs). These types are defined in your org's Configurations and may include additional custom categories. | ## Timing | Field | Notes | | --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Start month** | The first month in which this cost is incurred. | | **Duration** | **One-time** for a single occurrence. **Recurring** to specify an end date or number of months. **Until the time horizon of the initiative** for costs that run through the full initiative period. | | **Recognition** | Determines the cash flow timing within each period. **End (in arrears)** treats the cost as an Ordinary Annuity - recognized on the last day of the period. This is the default for most business models. **Start (in advance)** treats it as an Annuity Due - recognized on the first day of the period. Note: a flow set to Start in month N applies month Nāˆ’1's discount period. Because ValueMap uses month-by-month precision, earlier recognition of a cost increases its discounted impact - meaning costs incurred sooner carry more weight in NPV calculations. | ## Value | Field | Notes | | ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Estimated cost** | The base cost amount per interval. Enter a simple numeric amount using **Simple** mode, or switch to **Formula** mode to define a calculated value. See the **Formula Builder** section for full reference. | | **Cost notes** | Optional notes documenting assumptions or sources for the estimated cost. | | **Cost interval** | The frequency at which the estimated value repeats - Monthly, Quarterly, or Annually. For one-time costs this field is not applicable. | | **Contingency interval** | Sets the variance range used when applying scenarios. For example, a 10% contingency interval creates a 90%ā€“110% range around your baseline cost - the Conservative scenario uses 110% of the cost (higher cost) and the Optimistic scenario uses 90% (lower cost). A higher contingency interval means a wider spread between scenarios. | | **Contingency notes** | Optional notes explaining the basis for your chosen contingency interval. | ## Advanced Ramp and growth are disabled for one-time costs. These fields only apply to recurring cost items. | Field | Notes | | ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Ramp duration** | The time it takes to reach the full projected benefit cost. For example, a 6-month ramp assumes costs scale up by \~16.7% each month until Month 6, at which point the full estimated cost is incurred. Set the ramp end using a specific date, a number of months, or until the end of the object's duration. This can't be set before the start month or after the end month of the object. | | **Ramp notes** | Optional notes explaining the ramp assumption (e.g., phased hiring, gradual rollout). | | **Growth rate** | A periodic compounding growth rate applied to the cost over time (e.g., 3% annually to model inflation or expanding headcount). If a ramp is also set, growth applies to the cost value as it increases during the ramp period. | | **Growth duration** | The period over which the growth rate applies. Set using a specific end date, a number of months, or until the end of the object's duration. This can't be set before the start month or after the end month of the object. | | **Growth notes** | Optional notes documenting the basis for the growth assumption. |