Barriers in practicing life cycle costing techniques experienced by Sri Lankan quantity surveyors

Abstract

Life Cycle Costing (LCC) is a tool, which can evaluate all the building-related costs over a specified period of time, as mentioned in the agreed scope. Though there are number of benefits, LCC practices of consultants in the building industry are claimed to be weak. Hence, the aim of this research is to investigate barriers in practicing LCC techniques experienced by Sri Lankan quantity surveyors. Accordingly, a mixed approached was followed in data collection through a questionnaires survey and a series of expert interviews. However, in Sri Lanka, building construction consultants are not practicing the LCC concept to a greater extent. This research identified, lack of awareness on the LCC tool by employers and practitioners, lack of knowledge on LCC and lack of previous data as the major barriers for practicing LCC techniques in local context. It was suggested that enhancing the practice of LCC through conducting various awareness programme on LCC concept, build up and maintain the proper database and introducing user friendly tools, applications, calculations methods, guidelines and regulations, will lead to avoid above mentioned barriers, which will ultimately enhance the proper practice of LCC concept in the Sri Lankan quantity surveyors.