A reference architecture for life cycle cost analysis systems based on asset management knowledge formalisation

This paper summarises the author’s doctoral research progress to-date, outlines initial results and discusses the contribution to knowledge. A framework is proposed which formalises life cycle costing knowledge to support the development of decision support systems for asset managers. The main contribution is a programming language-agnostic reference architecture which is validated through implementation at a case study of a tier-1 operations and maintenance contractor for a major European infrastructural facility. The framework is evaluated through qualitative focus groups comprising a carefully selected cohort of domain experts. The implications of the work are a reduction in software development effort in providing decision support systems for asset managers in the built environment.