Integrating life cycle costing (LCC) in industrialised building system (IBS) in Malaysian construction industry

Abstract

Purpose / Context – This paper aimed to indicate the importance of integrating life cycle costing into the traditional method of cost estimates, for Industrialised Building (IBS) projects in Malaysia. Methodology / Approach – Both qualitative and quantitative data were used to obtain data for this research. Quantitative data from 164 respondents were analysed using SPSS 21.0 to obtain the mean and ranked it accordingly. While qualitative data was analysed using thematic content analysis, extracted from 19 respondants semi structured interview results. Results – Results from the study rank the factors influence the construction cost in IBS projects in Malaysia and presents the respondents opinion regarding the IBS attributes, LCC usefulness and potential of integrating LCC into IBS cost estimates. Key Findings / Implications – There is a significant potential in integrati ng LC C in IBS cost esti- mates based on the awareness of the construction industry player, knowledge of the cost estimator and readiness to shift into a new paradigm in cost estimation process, for a better decision making process. Originality – Until now, there is no method or system created to cater a comprehensive cost estimates plus life cycle costing in the Malaysian construction industry. Currently cost estimates and life cycle costing are prepared separately using the traditional cost estim ates method and then, convey it to the specialist to generate the LCC outcome.