During the periodic planning process, when capital budgets are formulated, management normally chooses from a variety of options those new investments that are expected to exceed or at least meet targeted economic returns. The level of these returns generally is related to shareholder expectations via the cost of capital calculation, as described in Chapter 9. Making sound investment choices and implementing them successfully —so that the actual results in fact exceed the cost of capital standard is a key management responsibility that leads to value creation. New investment is the key driver of growth strategies that cause enhanced shareholder value, but only if carefully established investment standards are met or exceeded