Kustannushaun

Kustannushaun is a Finnish term used in procurement and budgeting to describe a structured process of exploring and evaluating cost-related options in order to secure the most economical solution. The concept emphasizes the consideration of total costs over the life cycle of a purchase or project, rather than focusing solely on upfront price.

In practice, kustannushaun refers to gathering and analyzing cost data for alternative solutions, with the aim of optimizing value for money. It is closely linked to lifecycle cost analysis, total cost of ownership (TCO), and cost-effectiveness criteria used in both public procurement and private purchasing. The approach often accompanies tender processes where bidders present different cost structures, enabling comparability across options.

Typical process steps include defining the needs and cost criteria, collecting cost estimates and bids, conducting life-cycle cost calculations that account for upfront, operating, maintenance, and end-of-life costs, and comparing options using a chosen metric. The outcome is the selection of an option that offers the best overall cost-effectiveness, followed by monitoring actual costs during implementation.

Challenges and considerations involve ensuring data reliability, transparency of evaluation criteria, and the risk that long-term cost estimates may be uncertain. There is also a need to balance cost with other value factors such as quality, performance, and risk.

See also: kustannuslaskenta, elinkaarikustannuslaskenta, julkiset hankinnat, public procurement. Etymology: from kustannus (cost) and haku (search).