Whole of Life Assessment

The aim of the Whole of Life approach during the any phase of the project continuum, as it develops across the Project Planning, Design and Construction Phases, is to achieve a functional asset, with minimal Whole of Life costs. This is done by identifying alternative options to what is otherwise known as business as usual (BAU) and analysing the Whole of Life costs of those options.

The Whole of Life approach is not something that can be added at the end of the design, (or post procurement if construction phase) of a project. The approach must be integrated within the project methodology to be used as a decision making tool to determine the design options that offer the best value over the life of the asset.

The Whole of Life approach is generally a relatively new concept for most project teams. The challenge is to educate the project design and/ or construction teams to recognise the Whole of Life costs associated with the development and to encourage the team to come up with innovative and practical options to manage these costs whilst considering environmentally or socially sustainable implications.

The Whole of Life assessment comprises the facilitation of decisions across the various project disciplines, and the subsequent compilation of documentation that captures the decisions made during the period of assessment.