To base decisions on life cycle costing analysis, an understanding of the basic terminology and metrics is necessary. Engineers, managers and others who intend to perform the calculations will require detailed training and practice in life cycle costing. The Harvard Office for Sustainability offers the following training sessions:

Half Hour Overview, for decision makers

• Definition of terms

• Explanation of Harvard’s standard assumptions

• Example LCC analysis, using Harvard template

• Types of projects where LCC should be used

• How to interpret LCC metrics

Four Hour In-Depth Training Session, for those performing calculations; decision makers

Additional Content:

• Step by step review of Harvard’s LCC methodology

• Practice in LCC calculations

• How to present results

To schedule a training, contact Jesse Foote at 617-495-4980.

These training videos are provided courtesy of Robert Charette, P.E., CVS, Associate Professor at Concordia University in Montreal.  Bob Charette is a member of the ASTM E06.91 Sub-Committee that developed the ASTM building economics standards, and was previously a co-chairman of the Task Group for the UNIFORMAT II Standard Classification of Building Elements.  He has presented workshops on Life Cycle Costing to various organizations and universities in the U.S. and Canada, including several at Harvard.

Robert Charette 20 minute Introductory Summary of Life Cycle Costing:

• The notion of life cycle costing

• Data Requirements

• Present Value Factors

• Calculating Life Cycle Costs – Examples

• Supplementary Evaluation Methods – Examples

• Integrating LCC in the Design Process

Robert Charette 60 minute Summary of Life Cycle Costing:

• The notion of life cycle costing

• Data Requirements

• Present Value Factors

• Calculating Life Cycle Costs

• Supplementary Analytic Measures for Building Investments

• Integrating LCC in the Design Process

• LCC Examples

Bob Charette’s website includes ASTM standards and other useful links.

Matthiessen, Lisa Fay and Peter Morris. Cost of Green Revisited: Reexamining the Feasibility and Cost Impact of Sustainable Design in the Light of Increased Market Adoption. Davis Langdon. July 2007.