Decision Method
Location Comparison Methodology: Build a Defensible Investment Scorecard
How to structure criteria, weights, evidence, sensitivity analysis and qualitative risk when comparing investment destinations.
Define the decision before the score
A scorecard should reflect a specific project. The right weights for a data center, manufacturing plant, distribution center or service operation are not the same.
Use measurable criteria where possible
Translate requirements into comparable measures and document the source date, geography and assumptions for every important input.
Keep hard constraints outside the weighted score
A location that fails a non-negotiable power, permit, land or timing requirement should not survive because it scores well on softer criteria.
Run sensitivity analysis
Change key weights and uncertain assumptions to see whether the ranking is robust or dependent on a narrow set of inputs.
Add execution judgment explicitly
Governance, counterpart reliability, infrastructure delivery risk and local execution capacity can be difficult to reduce to one number. Record them transparently rather than hiding them inside the score.
Turn the framework into an investment mandate.
FDI Desk can structure the market, site, data, partner and establishment workstreams around the actual investment requirement.