source-on-tco

name	source-on-tco
description	Run a sourcing decision on TCO — freight, quality, switching, inventory, lifecycle — not unit price, so a price 'savings' doesn't raise total cost. Reach for this on any sourcing event.

Skill: Source on total cost of ownership

A price savings that raises TCO is a loss in disguise.

Step 1 — Build the TCO model

Unit price plus freight, quality, switching, inventory, lifecycle (§3 #2).

Step 2 — Compare bids on TCO

Rank suppliers on total cost, not headline price.

Step 3 — Stress the assumptions

Test the non-price drivers that swing TCO.

Step 4 — Recommend on total cost

Choose the lowest defensible TCO, not lowest price.

Output

A TCO model, a TCO-ranked bid comparison, and a total-cost recommendation.