A design-oriented LCC database framework according to partnership theory

Potential clients are more willing to use both life cycle cost (LCC) and reliability data as the criteria for selecting the supplier in order to trade off the product reliability and LCC. But less adoption of LCC in manufacturing emerged during the recent decades. This paper tend to explore the problems of LCC application based on a brief but representative literature review, and try to interpret the problems to three essential issues related to LCC information barriers in a design perspective. A design-oriented LCC database framework according to partnership theory is proposed and its feasibility is discussed based on an empirical case study. The database should be structured in reconciling with downstream cost management status thus the acceptable and available data resources can be obtained effectively. The existing LCC calculation model appreciated by owner should be reconciled as basis or benchmark for database sustainable development.