Assessment of awareness of life cycle cost analysis in Qatar’s construction industry

Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) methodology is based on principles that provide a reliable means for determining the total cost of a project, facility, or process from its initial stages to the end of its life or salvage period.The LCCA objective for the construction industry is to establish or calculate the optimum solution for investment in a project that would meet the long-term's lowest cost estimate.This, in turn, allows selecting the best investment option for selected project(s).The contribution of this study is to identify and quantify the factors which relate and assist in gaining new knowledge, insight and understanding of life cycle cost analysis practice in Qatar's construction industry.A survey was designed and distributed to different construction contractors, subcontractors, and consultants to evaluate their expectations and perceptions in the construction industry regarding LCCA application in the construction industry.A data sample of 101 working professionals was analyzed using statistical data.The data obtained were analyzed using statistical analysis techniques using the relative importance index to determine the ranking between different groups of LCCA factors.According to the research and data analysis findings, 27.7% of employees had an average exposure to LCCA during their work training and/or studies, while 72.3 % lacked exposure to LCCA.32.7% of respondents had LCCA implemented during their tenure or work stay in the organization or project, and 36.6 % of respondents informed that their organization/companies advocate the use of LCCA during the planning stages of the project.14.9% of respondents said their respective companies had any policies for LCCA implementation in their respective departments.An extensive look into LCCA knowledge, awareness, implementation, and variables that can improve LCCA implementation in Qatar is given by this research study.