On the Requirements for Effective Whole Life Costing in an integrated Environment

Abstract

This paper is the first in a series reporting on-going research within an EPSRC-funded research project undertaken by a joint collaboration between the Robert Gordon University and the University of Salford. This project aims to develop IT applications of whole life costing (WLC) to support life-cycle decision-making in the design and management of construction assets. The research that underpins this paper aims to design a framework for implementing WLC into the design phase using an integrated environment. The main features and requirements of this framework were outlined from an in-depth analysis of data-related difficulties in WLC modelling and the results of a critical review of previous efforts to utilise databases in the implementation of WLC. The proposed framework is the starting point in the design of the new enhanced system. Future research work within the project includes the design of the cost breakdown structure and the detailed design of the database structure and suitable reporting and feedback mechanisms. Keywords: Integrated databases, Life cycle cost(ing), Whole life cost(ing)