RD4.5 UC Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) Guidelines

Executive Summary

Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) is a method of evaluating the cost effectiveness of project design decisions. It is a holistic approach to capital planning and design that considers the near and long-term financial implications for a facility or project.  The University of California LCCA Guidelines (Guidelines) are developed in support of the UC Sustainable Practices Policy. These Guidelines are intended to establish a basic LCCA process framework that is consistent systemwide, provide recommendations to UC practitioners for developing project-specific LCCAs, and serve as a resource to support decision-making for UC capital projects.

These Guidelines are relevant to multiple stakeholders, including UC leadership and representatives, UC Capital Program offices, and associated design professionals and facilities and asset managers.

For UC leadership, the Guidelines provide a summary of the LCCA process framework, and a broad validation of the benefit LCCA delivers to the UC enterprise and its mission.

For UC practitioners, the Guidelines are intended to be utilized as a practical tool and resource, and to help facilitate collaboration and communication within and among project teams and consultants. UC practitioners generally include campus and location departments and their individual constituents, such as Capital Programs, Design and Construction, Capital and Space Planning, Facilities and Asset Management, Energy Services, Sustainability, and Project Management among others.

For UC consultant teams, the Guidelines are intended to provide overall instructions for how LCCAs should be implemented, and how LCCA outcomes and resulting recommendations should be communicated when working on UC capital projects.

With an understanding that every project is unique in its origin and circumstance, the contents of these Guidelines are not intended to be requirements for strict adherence, but rather serve as a reference when approaching an individual project or use case. The UC LCCA Guidelines is a living document and intended to be informed by and updated based upon lessons learned among the UC community network.

To provide feedback or ask follow up questions, please contact UC Office of the President Executive Director of Capital Programs.

UC Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) Guidelines (version May 31, 2023)