Which of the following is NOT one of the essential requirements for constructing a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)?

Constructing a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) involves a comprehensive analysis of all costs associated with acquiring and operating an asset over its entire lifecycle. Analyzing cost structure is critical as it provides insights into various cost components, helping stakeholders understand how different factors contribute to the total cost. Cost estimating is also essential, as accurate estimates are necessary for calculating and predicting the costs effectively.

Discounting all costs to present value is a key aspect of TCO since it allows for comparisons across different time periods by converting future costs into their present value equivalents, ensuring that monetary values remain consistent over time.

However, increasing asset value is not a direct requirement for TCO analysis. While understanding how to enhance or maintain asset value may be relevant in some broader financial discussions or asset management strategies, it does not strictly pertain to the calculation of total costs incurred throughout an asset's lifecycle. Thus, it is the outlier in the context of constructing a TCO.