Value Engineering has long been established as a mature methodology for enhancing financial value of projects and processes worldwide and Jacobs has an impressive record of practicing Jacobs Value Plus (JVP) that has benefitted many of their clients. Jacobs Sustainability Plus (JSP) has also shown great results in demonstrating their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, practiced through sustainable initiatives in all engineering work they undertake. Sustainability is not just a ‘buzz’ word anymore and there is an increased awareness all over the world to see how major corporations are incorporating sustainability principles in their practices. However, there are some concerns and uncertainties that exist amongst the professional community regarding the practical application of Value principles to their ‘already tight’ projects. Many consider the process as just ‘cost-cutting’ or a scope reduction exercise. Integrated JVP/ JSP – ‘Value by Design’ as practiced in Jacobs helps close this communication gap by demonstrating the fact that a ‘Value Study’ is not just about reducing life cycle financial costs of the project, but it is an integrated, holistic approach of improving social and environmental benefits as well. This is important for all initiatives and projects as whatever approaches are being pursued, they should reflect the strategic intent of the owner/client and the greater good of the society.
The challenge of our time is: how can we protect the environment for future generations? Perhaps the most important recognition of “green thinking” is that mankind cannot be detached from its natural medium. Ecologically conscious thinking also marks a kind of paradigm change, while the spreading of environmental attitudes and keeping sustainability systematically in mind will put things in another dimension.
Sustainable thinking has become significant in business models. The business advantage closely linked to sustainability is green marketing, which in fact is a covert marketing solution. Businesses market their environmental protection activities such as enhancing non-polluting manufacturing processes or the reuse of materials.
The above-listed elements of sustainability are all based on different functions. The value analysis methodology helps systematically find the best value combination of new ideas and goals closely linked to sustainability. The lecture gives an insight to the use of function analysis in achieving green solutions. Value Engineering is one of the most powerful thinking techniques that can help us take care of the environment for future generations in a conscientious way.
VE Can Help Teams and Projects Be More Sustainable:
This publication relfects the advice of an expert panel to the Minister of Alberta Infrastructure on sustainable school buildings. The report discusses holistic design including life cycle costing, green building design, leed, and value management. The report recommends that the Alberta government establish a systematic process for ensuring appropriate value of school building projects through the use of the value management, value analysis, value engineering process on school buildings.