Value Engineering

What is Value Engineering?

Value Engineering is "the systematic application of recognized techniques by a multi-disciplined team which identifies the function of a product or service; establishes a worth for that function; generates alternatives through the use of creative thinking; and provides the needed functions reliably at the lowest overall cost." VE is an effective technique for reducing costs, increasing productivity, and improving quality. It can be applied to hardware and software; development, production, and manufacturing; specifications, standards and contract requirements. It can also be applied to other acquisition program documentation; facilities design and construction. It may be successfully introduced at any point in the life cycle of products, systems, or procedures. The VE technique is directed towards analyzing the functions of an item or process to determine "best value" or the best relationship between worth and cost. In other words, "best value" is represented by an item or process that consistently performs the required basic function and has the lowest total cost. It helps people creatively generate alternatives to secure essential functions more cost effectively. VE uses a job plan, is function based, and requires that a product be generated as a result of the study. The term Value Engineering is also synonymous with Value Analysis, Value Management, and Value Planning. To summarize, Value Engineering:

Origins of Value Engineering

Value Engineering originated with the efforts of Larry Miles, an engineer who was working with General Electric in the early 1950's. He is now considered the father of Value Engineering. Miles was working toward continuous improvement and GE formed a core group to address this area. By the 1950's, a lot of companies and governments were applying Value Engineering techniques, which really set the ball rolling. Several organizations have been formed to help people learn the process, monitor it, and set standards. The process generated by Mr. Miles and the General Electric department he headed created the basic structure for the process that has survived to this day. However, it is worth noting that continuous improvement is an integral part of Value Engineering.

Job Plan

A key component of the Value Engineering process (value process) is its use of a carefully crafted and thoroughly tested job plan. Adherence to the job plan focuses on a specific decision process, that which contains the right emphasis, timing, and elements to secure a high quality product. The job plan and its sub-elements highlight the issues involved, essential needs, criteria, problems, objectives, and concerns. The eight-step job plan phase is displayed below.

Functions

One of the most unique features of Value Engineering is its use of functions and a function-logic process to describe needs, purposes, and ramifications. The use of function-logic removes many of people's preconceived biases. The use of two word functions (active verb, measurable-noun descriptors) and their positioning in a decision-logic diagram move people from the "I want" position to a basic needs focus. It also helps them see how their decisions rely on critical features, and whether their decisions require support to implement. (potential value-mismatches, also known as potential value opportunities).

Result Driven

Every step of the process is geared toward obtaining a result that increases the ROI (return on investment) or value for the client (individual, employer, etc.). As a result, they generate one or more products (recommendations) in some form or other. These are presented in both verbal and written form for use and future reference. That way, the company has a record of the results and a series of "fall back" positions to use as the project progresses.

How Does the Value Methodology Work?

The value methodology works through a VM study that brings together a multidisciplinary team of people who own the problem and have the expertise to identify and solve it. A VM study team works under the direction of a facilitator who follows an established set of procedures -the VM job plan -to review the project, making sure the team understands the customer requirements and develops a cost-effective solution.

Value is the worth of a product or service from the customers' point of view as compared to its cost.

Value=Performance/Cost

You can increase value by reducing cost while maintaining performance.

You can increase value by increasing performance if the customer needs, wants and is willing to pay for more performance.

Value is a representation of Quality

Value Engineering Approaches

VE uses Functional Analysis Systems Technique (FAST) as a tool. This is centered on two approaches.

Technical FAST

Customer FAST

Benefits of Using Value Methodology

The value methodology is a powerful problem-solving tool that can reduce costs while maintaining or improving performance and quality requirements. It is a function-oriented, systematic team approach to providing value in a product or service.

The value methodology helps organizations compete more effectively in local, national and international markets by:

Value methodology easily produces savings of 30 percent of the estimated cost for manufacturing a product, constructing a project or providing a service. The return on investment that public and private organizations derive from implementing VM programs averages 10 to1. Value methodology can increase customer satisfaction and add value to an organization's investment in any business or economic setting. Value practitioners can apply the value methodology to products and services in manufacturing, construction, transportation, government, health care, environmental and engineering sectors.

Relationship to Other Management Improvement Processes.

Since the value methodology's creation, several other management approaches have caught the eye of business leaders: total quality management, quality function deployment, project management, concurrent engineering, re-engineering, and benchmarking. The value methodology lends itself to use with other approaches, and this combined strength (customer needs, teamwork, creativity and a rigorous system approach) rise above the strengths of other processes. VE is a management tool that can be used alone or with other management techniques and methodologies to improve operations and reduce costs. For example, the total quality management process can include VE and other cost cutting-techniques, such as life-cycle costing, concurrent engineering, and design-to-cost approaches by using these techniques as analytical tools in process and product improvement.

VE contributes to the overall management objectives of streamlining operations, improving quality and reducing costs; and it results in the increased use of environmentally sound and energy-efficient practices and materials. The complementary relationship between VE and other management techniques increases the likelihood that the overall management objectives are met.