It is sometimes thought that value analysis/value engineering (VA/VE) is (or should be) already a part of the traditional design process. Those who subscribe to this view believe that if performance is enhanced through a VA/VE study, or if cost savings are discovered, it is due to a defect or oversight by the design team.
VA/VE professionals contend that the value analysis process (or value engineering methodology) is a distinct process that is not a part of the traditional design process, and therefore will often result in project performance enhancements, cost savings or both; and, such results are not a defect or oversight by the design team. This is particularly true in the transportation construction industry where the traditional design process and design solutions are highly standardized.
The author’s experience supports the latter view. This presentation provides six specific, accepted value proposals that the author believes would never have been developed by the traditional design process. These value proposals help explain why VA/VE often discovers cost-saving, equivalent-function solutions that the traditional design process generally does not. Thus, VA/VE should not be considered redundant to the traditional design process, nor a threat. Rather, VA/VE should be considered a welcome partner.
These are some of the “million dollar questions” that the Hungarian Value Engineers were facing during the last couple of years. The presentation will introduce the Hungarian VE trends as well as demonstrate a selection of VE project results.