What name is given to the sum of all costs associated with the alternative options of delivering a service throughout its lifecycle?

The term associated with the sum of all costs linked to various alternatives for delivering a service throughout its lifecycle is "life-cycle costing." This concept encompasses all phases of a service or product's life, which includes initial acquisition costs, operational costs, maintenance, and disposal expenses.

Understanding life-cycle costing is essential in procurement and supply chain management because it allows organizations to evaluate the long-term value and cost-effectiveness of different options rather than focusing solely on the initial purchase price. It provides a holistic view of costs, enabling better decision-making that considers future financial impacts.

While "whole-life cost" and "total cost of ownership" are similar concepts and focus on the total costs associated with acquiring and using an asset, they may not encapsulate the complexity of all cost elements in the same manner as life-cycle costing. Additionally, "capital expenditure" refers specifically to funds used by an organization to acquire or upgrade physical assets and is more focused on initial investment rather than ongoing costs.