What horizon is used for expansion planning in the example's expansion needs?

• A. 2-year
• B. 5-year
• C. 10-year
• D. 25-year

Answer: (B)

Expansion planning is guided by how far into the future we can realistically forecast and implement capacity changes. In this example, the expansion needs are medium term, so they align with a planning window that’s long enough to justify and schedule the work but not so long that forecasts become unreliable. Five years provides that balance: it is sufficient to forecast demand growth, secure budgeting and financing, order and install equipment, and complete the expansion milestones, while keeping assumptions reasonably accurate.

A two-year horizon wouldn’t capture the full cycle of a significant expansion, which typically involves design, permitting, procurement, and construction. A ten-year or longer horizon adds too much uncertainty for actionable capital planning and can make the projection of benefits less credible. A twenty-five-year horizon is even more speculative and rarely needed for tangible expansion decisions. That’s why five years is the chosen horizon for the example.