Through-life management is a approach applied to capital asset. According to Ward and Graves, Through-life Management involves the life-cycle management of the products, services and activities required to deliver a fully integrated capability to the customer, while reducing the cost of ownership for the customer. According to CIPS study guide, through-life management comprises of 6 parts:
1. Design
2. Manufacture
3. Installation
4. In-service support
5. Decommission and disposal
6. Customer support
In this scenario, the company is planning to procure a ship, which is a capital asset. Through life management is a good approach. Sealines can start with developing through-life specification. This approach may have several benefits:
- It lowers the costs over the whole life of the asset
- It lowers the risks as there is a single company accountable for costs and service over the life of the asset
- A closer match between the asset delivered and the users' needs
- Development of capability over the life of the asset as the supplier continues to get experience of the users' needs and can adapt services to meet them.