|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Value Engineering office is dedicated to partnering with
our customers to achieve the best return on their investment. This page
addresses the following areas-- |
||
| -- | What is Value Engineering? | |
| -- | The Value Engineering Job Plan | |
| -- | Should I perform a Value
Engineering study? [with VE Decision Tree] |
|
| Value Engineering is an organized study of functions to satisfy the
user's needs, with a quality product at the lowest life cycle cost through
applied creativity. The study is conducted by a multi-disciplinary team
that provides an independent look at the project. Value Engineering is
directed at reducing cost, while maintaining or improving quality, maintainability,
performance, and reliability. In addition, emphasis is placed on preserving
unique and important ecological, aesthetic, and cultural values of our
national heritage in accord with the general environmental objectives
of the Corps of Engineers. |
![[West Point Mess Hall]](wptmess2.gif) Cadets enjoying a formal dinner. Proposals implemented from a Value Engineering study contribute to timely meal deliveries at West Point's rehabilitated mess facility. |
|
| Traditionally, Value Engineering in the Corps of Engineers
is applied to proposed construction projects. This includes Civil Works,
Military, Environmental, Hazardous Waste, as well as Operations and Maintenance
projects. However, the methodology and job plan can be applied to most
any situation. |
||
| The Value Engineering job plan is a systematic procedure for
implementing all the necessary tasks associated with the VE study. Adherence
to a definite job plan is essential to achieve the best value alternatives.
The plan is a variation of a scientific method usually used for solving
routine engineering problems. The VE job plan provides-- |
||
| -- | A vehicle to carry the study from inception to conclusion | |
| -- | A convenient means for maintaining a written record of the effort as it progresses | |
| -- | Assurance that consideration has been given to facts that may have been overlooked in the creation of the design | |
| -- | A logical separation of the study into units that
can be planned, scheduled, budgeted, and assessed |
|
| Several versions of the VE job plan are described in current
Value Engineering literature. The New York District utilizes a five-phase
job plan that includes Information collecting, Speculation, Analysis,
Development, and Presentation. These five phases are part of a continuous
process and tend to overlap or merge. Here is a brief look at each phase
and the key questions that are asked-- |
||
| Phase I: Information collecting | ||
| -- | What is the project? | |
| -- | What does it do? | |
| -- | What are the basic and secondary functions? |
|
| Phase II: Speculation | ||
| -- | What else will do the job [perform the same basic
function]? |
|
| Phase III: Analysis | ||
| -- | What does each cost? | |
| -- | Will each perform the same basic function? |
|
| Phase IV: Development | ||
| -- | Will it work? | |
| -- | Will it meet all of the requirements? | |
| -- | What do I do now? | |
| -- | What is needed? | |
| -- | Who has to approve it? | |
| -- | What are the implementation problems? | |
| -- | What are the costs? | |
| -- | What are the savings? |
|
| Phase V: Presentation | ||
| Meeting held with all decision makers to discuss
each of the proposals contained in the Value Engineering report, to see
which proposals can be implemented into the project. |
||
| Most Value Engineering studies are conducted over one week. A typical agenda would include: | ||
| -- | Monday: Visit site and begin Information collecting Phase | |
| -- | Tuesday: Continue Information Phase | |
| -- | Wednesday: Continue Information Phase; initiate Speculation and Analysis Phases | |
| -- | Thursday: Initiate Development Phase | |
| -- | Friday: Continue Development Phase |
|
| The final VE study report is typically completed within two
weeks after the above study schedule. |
||
| The following decision tree may assist you in initially evaluating
the need for performing a value engineering study on your proposed project
or process. It should be noted that OMB Circular A-131 requires that all
Federal expenditures in excess of To continue, go to the VE Decision Tree. |
||
