Final answer:
A Product Owner considers all investments required to conceive, develop, operate, and maintain the product, known as Total Cost of Ownership, for making investment decisions. This includes both upfront and ongoing expenses over the product's lifecycle. A cost/benefit analysis with marginal costs and benefits is also instrumental in investment decision-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is a crucial concept for a Product Owner to consider when making investment decisions. The best answer to what costs a Product Owner will take into account is C. All investments required to conceive, develop, operate and maintain the product. This includes not just the upfront costs such as research and development and production expenses, but also ongoing costs like maintenance, support, and operational expenses over the product's entire lifecycle.
TCO is a comprehensive view that helps in understanding the long-term costs associated with a product, which is vital for accurate investment evaluation. It’s not just about the initial money spent on development and delivery, but also encompasses future expenses that could affect the profitability and viability of the product.
When conducting a cost/benefit analysis, the Product Owner needs to compare the total costs against the potential benefits the product will deliver. This approach helps in decision-making by identifying if the benefits justify the costs. Moreover, understanding the concepts of marginal costs and marginal benefits can aid in deciding whether investing in additional units of the product is beneficial.