Evaluation of non-cost factors affecting the life cycle cost: an exploratory study
Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology
ISSN: 1726-0531
Article publication date: 3 October 2016
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify the main non-cost factors affecting accurate estimation of life cycle cost (LCC) in building projects.
Design/methodology/approach
Ten factors affecting LCC in building project cost estimates are identified through literature and interviews. A questionnaire survey is conducted to rank these factors in order of priority and provide the views of cost practitioners about the significance of these factors in the accurate estimation of LCC. The data from 138 construction building projects completed in UK were collected and analysed via multiple regression to discover the relationship between capital and LCCs and between non-cost factors and cost estimation at each stage of the life cycle (capital, operation, maintenance and LCC).
Findings
The results of analysis of existing LCC data of completing project and survey data from cost professionals are mostly consistent with many literature views and provide a reasonable description of the non-cost factors affecting the accuracy of estimates.
Originality/value
The value of this study is in the method used, which involves analysis of existing life data and survey data from cost professionals. The results provide a plausible description of the non-cost factors affecting the accuracy of estimates.
Keywords
Citation
Alqahtani, A. and Whyte, A. (2016), "Evaluation of non-cost factors affecting the life cycle cost: an exploratory study", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 14 No. 4, pp. 818-834. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-02-2015-0005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited