What aspect of cost is least influential later in a project?

Opportunity costs are considered the least influential aspect of cost later in a project because they refer to the potential value lost when one alternative is chosen over another. As a project progresses, the decisions that dictate costs have usually been made, meaning that the opportunity costs associated with those alternatives are largely historical considerations.

In the early stages of a project, opportunity costs can play a significant role in decision-making, as project managers weigh different options and their potential impacts. However, once the project is underway, these opportunity costs become less relevant because the decisions have already been implemented, and the resources have been allocated. Additionally, opportunity costs do not always have a direct monetary impact since they are often theoretical and may not involve actual cash flows. As a result, by the later stages of a project, they are less influential compared to other costs that directly affect the current financial state and performance of the project.