Identifying methodology to investigate cost data input in life cycle cost analysis of a building

Purpose –Life Cycle Cost (LCC) estimation process can be divided into three main phases: data inputs, conversion and outputs. The objective of this paper is to identify the most appropriate methodology to investigate the quality of data used as inputs in LCC estimation for building works in the Malaysian construction industry. The focus of quality data here is cost data inputs of building LCC. This paper reports part of a three-year research programme to enhance quality of LCC outputs through the enhancement of quality data input requirements. Design/ Methodology/ approach – A comprehensive literature review was carried out to critically review all the methodologies used to study LCC data inputs in other countries. The goal is to identify the most appropriate methodology to investigate the quality of cost data inputs in LCC analysis of building with regard to the context of Malaysian construction industry Findings – The outcomes of the study proposed that a qualitative research strategy comprises of two approaches, i.e. a literature review and modified Delphi as the most appropriate methodology to critically review and examine behaviours of cost data inputs in LCC analysis of the building based on the opinions from a collective intelligence panellists. Research limitations - The considerable limitation of modified Delphi is to find the appropriate level of panellists that possess skills, knowledge and expertise in the field of LCC. In addition, the Delphi process is normally long and time-consuming because it involves multi-round of questionnaires

Investigating the reliability and validity of data inputs for building life cycle cost (LCC)

Commentators advocate that most practitioners focus only on conversion but very seldom they consider the reliability and credibility of data inputs of Life Cycle Cost (LCC). The research identified two developed LCC conversion softwares in the Malaysian construction industry: LICCOMS and LCCsoft however it was observed there is a need of a standard procedure and methodology to establish in order to trace, procure and manage data inputs of an asset with reference to LCC. This paper reports part of a three-year programme of research to investigate the current state and practice of LCC in the Malaysian construction industry with specific reference to data inputs of LCC. The research focuses on the data requirements of LCC analysis, where the research gives emphasis on the availability, accessibility, updated and reliability of data inputs for building life cycle cost. A comparative assessment was carried out based on the literature review to ascertain the readiness, appropriateness and accurateness of the data to be used in conversion and monitoring the outputs of LCC analysis. The research methodology employed comprises of a comprehensive literature review and a series of Delphi communication process. The study involved a structured group communication process that procured responses through a number of sequential questionnaires from a group of experts, following by synthesizing and analysing opinions and ideas to attain consensus in generating reliable data for the research

Artificial Neural Network (ANN) application for cost estimation of construction projects in Malaysia: a study on quality of data

The Artificial Neural Network (ANN), is one of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. It is a great technique that can be applied in the construction project cost estimation to solve classification, prediction, and regression problems (Juszczyk, 2017). ANN is data-driven and is considered sensitive to input data (Tayefeh Hashemi et al., 2020). The ANN relies on the data input to execute tasks like prediction. Thus, to produce the best and most reliable cost estimation output, the best quality of data are required as input into ANN model. The Malaysian construction industry faces a lack of access, accuracy, breadth, and depth of industry data. Although open-data popularity has increased, the problem with data quality remained unresolved (Nikiforova, 2020). The aim of the study is to investigate the quality of data for the implementation of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) for cost estimation of construction projects in Malaysi

Investigation of quality of cost data for life cycle cost analysis in university building maintenance

Life Cycle Cost (LCC) method has been stated in profession where it can be commonly applied to predict the maintenance and operation cost of the buildings. However, it was observed from the literature study that there is a limitation to access on the cost data input for LCC of building maintenance practice. This paper presents a study on the investigation of quality of data for LCC as input in university building maintenance practice.The study being reported in this paper is derived from 6 months programme of research carried by the first author to determine the readiness of the implementation of Life Cycle Costing approach in the university building maintenance practice in IIUM. The methodology designed for the study is a qualitative research strategy that comprises of two approaches, which are literature review and semi-structured interview. The key findingS of the study have been established that IIUM is not ready to implement life cycle costing practice in university building maintenance due to the problem of getting quality, current and reliable data as input for producing reliable LCC output

Investigation on reliability and validity of Life Cycle Cost (LCC) data inputs of building

In this paper, our aim is to propose a research design and methodology to investigate the current state and practice of LCC in the Malaysian construction industry, with specific reference to data inputs. The focus of the research is to assess the availability, accessibility, updated and reliability of the data as inputs into the process of estimating the total cost of building ownership. The research seeks to evaluate the data requirements of LCC analysis in generating reliable, accurate and credible LCC analysis which can therefore enlighten the clients, building owners and LCC estimators on the appropriateness, readiness, reliability and accurateness of existing databases and cost classification systems for conversion and in monitoring the outputs of LCC analysis. The anticipated outcome of the research is a proposed conceptual model which is considered the most appropriate methodology to procure reliable and credible data inputs of LCC. The model is purposely designed to rectify the problems of data constrained and the lack of appropriate data inputs in conjunction with the employment of LCC techniques in the Malaysian construction industry. The conceptual model can be shared with the LCC practitioners who could likely benefit from the output of the research, and simultaneously reinforce the practice of LCC in the investment decision making process of the clients and building owners to attain the best value for money. The present research has ascertained three objectives in purposely to attain the research aim: i. To study the principles of LCC and its implementation in the construction industry with specific reference to data inputs ii. To investigate the current development of LCC application in the Malaysian construction industry and the central issues of LCC practice iii. On the basis of (1) and (2), to develop a conceptual model which can facilitate the LCC practitioners in the Malaysian construction industry to procure reliable and credible data inputs in effort to generate an accurate LCC analysis. The outcomes of the assessment will be reported as a methodology of the research. The authors expect comments and feedbacks in effort to further improve the methodology. The paper is produced to support dissertation for Doctorate programme undertaken by the first author

Protocol of Life Cycle Cost (LCC) data input requirements process

Life Cycle Cost (LCC) is an important economic assessment technique that is applied in the beginning of the project to provide useful cost information to the Government, clients, cost estimators and researchers in facilitating them to make better decision in the process of determining the most optimum total ownership costs of an asset or in comparing the most cost-effective of mutually exclusive alternatives. The LCC analysis process can be categorized into three main phases, i.e. data input, conversion and output. The literature study has established that the lack of reliable and current cost data inputs, including sufficient theory has caused difficulties for the estimators to practice LCC analysis. In addition, there is no model, system or guideline has been established in the Malaysian construction industry that can facilitate the LCC estimators to trace, define, collect and update cost data as inputs into the process of producing reliable LCC outputs. A Protocol of LCC Data Input Requirement Process was developed from a three-year research programme to purposely enhance the quality of LCC outputs through the enhancement of quality data input requirements. The finalized protocol has been identified as the first and the newest invention in Malaysia to provide useful procedures and information to the Government agencies, clients, researchers and estimators on how to identify, access, check and update the reliability of data before the data can be used as inputs into the process of producing a comprehensive LCC estimation for building works in the Malaysian construction industry. The protocol can become a potential benchmark which could facilitate the clients, estimators and researchers in Malaysia and or in some other countries to calculate LCC better leading to better outputs. The finalized protocol has undergone pilot studies with the research supervisor, selected academics and experts before being further evaluated, validated and tested with a group of panellists that have expertise, knowledge and skills in LCC using a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) approach. The finalized protocol of LCC data input requirements process comprising three (3) components: 1. A flow chart that presents an overall view of the procedures 2. Step by step procedures on how to acquire cost data inputs of LCC in order to meet the LCC quality data input requirements 3. Remarks that provide additional information to ease understand the developed protoco

Affordable housing towards sustainable goals: the perspective of young working households in the Klang Valley

In recent years, purchasing a house has become more difficult as access to affordable housing becomes scarcer. The increasing housing cost has impacted the income capacity of new homebuyers, predominantly young households which in the early stages of their careers. In the meantime, the concept of sustainable affordable housing (SAH) is still novel in Malaysia as most stakeholders rarely practise it. Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) is important in integrating economic, social and environmental sustainability. The provision of sustainable affordable housing (SAH) is one of the accomplishments in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The current literature has shown that providing sustainable affordable housing is the key to solving this problem for disadvantaged urban households. However, some stakeholders failed to provide sustainable and affordable housing to cater for low and middle-income households. As a result, many people live in slums due to the lack of affordable housing options. This sire situation has long been a major problem, especially in urban areas. The aim of the study is to determine the success factors for the development of sustainable affordable housing (SAH) from the perspective of young working households

Investigation on energy efficiency of lighting system in a university library

The electrical lighting system is one of the most significant contributors to energy consumption and operational cost for a library building. The extended operation of the lighting system in the library building consumes a high amount of energy, which requires the adoption of energy efficiency implementation to reduce energy consumption and to overcome energy waste. The objective of this paper is to present the outcomes of investigation on the energy efficiency of the lighting system in a university library building. The lighting system operated in a library building in one of the universities in Malaysia was chosen as the subject of the case study. A semi-structured face to face interview was carried out to interview four respondents who currently in-charge in the lighting system operation of university library building under the study. Looking at the results of the study, the lighting system of the university library is not energy efficient which leads to high energy consumption. To overcome energy waste, the results revealed that a proper guideline for the adoption of energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the lighting system is essential to be developed by the university authority for the university library

Empowering Wakaf and Zakat in the Provision of Affordable Housing through Collaborative Procurement

Wakaf and zakat are the two most essential tools for assisting the poor and needy Muslims to have access to better living conditions. However, in the provision of affordable housing, efforts by the wakaf and zakat authorities are often hampered by constraints such as in the availability of funding and expertise. The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual model of collaborative procurement to empower wakaf and zakat in the provision of affordable housing for the poor and needy. It is contended that through collaborative procurement wakaf and zakat authorities would have better access to resources especially funding and technical expertise. The paper, an outcome of robust desk research and discussions with experts, describes the concepts of wakaf, and zakat and their efforts to help the poor and needy including in the provision of affordable housing and collaborative procurement. Besides, a collaborative procurement model comprising of wakaf and zakat authorities and private property developer has been developed and herein proposed. The paper highlights issues and constraints, including those related to the Shariah. The research outcome, concerning the proposed collaborative procurement model, contributes significantly towards empowering wakaf and zakat in the provision of affordable housing for the poor and needy

Methodology to investigate the quality of cost data as inputs for LCC analysis of new flexible pavement construction in the Malaysian construction industry

In the face of high cost of new road construction and maintenance, a large amount of money was required over the years by the Malaysia Government to spend on building new road and maintaining the quality of existing road pavements throughout the anticipated service lifespan. Many commentators pointed out that it is crucial to the road owners or clients, and related government agencies to give greater emphasize on optimising the total ownership cost on the new road pavement construction from the very early stage of the project life cycle. Life Cycle Cost (LCC) is a an economic assessment technique that is applied to calculate the total ownership cost of an asset, which can produce useful cost information to the clients and cost estimators in facilitating them to achieve the best value for money decision making on the investment of new road construction throughout the anticipated design lifespan. LCC compares the overall long-term economic efficiency between the competing road design alternatives over the anticipated lifetime to identify potential cost savings. The process of LCC estimation is divided into three main phases; i.e. data inputs, conversion, and outputs. However, the quality of data used in LCC analysis is significant to ensure the LCC estimation process can produce correct and reliable outputs to the clients and cost estimators. This paper presents the proposed methodology to investigate the quality of data used as inputs for LCC analysis of new flexible pavement construction. There are two types of road pavements, which are flexible and rigid pavements. The methodology proposed for the study is a qualitative research strategy that comprises of literature review and semi-structured interview. This paper is prepared as part of a two-year master programme of research undertaken by the first author to investigate the quality and readiness of the cost data as inputs for LCC analysis of new flexible pavement construction in the Malaysian construction industry