Capital projects require a look into the future and often involve the introduction of new, unproven machinery whose benefits are based on best information available assumptions vs. past experience. They often require the assignment of financial benefits to subjective issues like improvements in quality and customer satisfaction. How much will they improve and what is that worth? Often they involve cost savings through the elimination of headcount which means lay-offs or reassignment of employees. Does the savings in wages/benefits offset the soft costs of lost skills / experience, lower morale, etc.?