Activity-based life cycle cost process model of facilities maintenance for public universities

Abstract

Facilities maintenance is an essential part in the whole process of building maintenance and management. Maintenance period spans through the life cycle of a building hence, more attention is required in terms of financial management and good recording keeping. The application of life cycle cost in facilities maintenance is still limited caused by the complexity and variation of assets. The study develops the Activity-based life cycle cost process model for public universities (Research Universities) in Malaysia in order to provide an effective cost management in building facilities maintenance. Data for the study was based on a questionnaire survey and interview granted by some senior maintenance officers and experts in the building industry. Findings from the study show that the institutions varied in the level of importance they attached to the various facilities in a building in terms of financial allocation for maintenance. Those facilities that have been accorded much priority based on the results from the study were used in developing a process model of Activity-Based Life Cycle Cost (AB-LCC) of facilities maintenance at public university. The findings show that the AB-LCC process model was defined clearly across every facility maintenance activities with the clarity of cost drivers. Aggregating all activities together under a unit during the financial allocation does not give room for accountability and efficiency in building maintenance of public universities in the country. The application of AB-LCC has policy implication for both government and public universities because of the competing needs they will face with and the need to allocate resources in a way that the desired result would be met.