Solving design problems to add value (original) (raw)
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Beyond value engineering: ? value management for building projects
International Journal of Project Management, 2012
The paper distinguishes between value management and value engineering on the basis of their underlying assumptions. The traditional approach to value engineering is analysed, and is found to reflect the optimizing paradigm of hard systems thinking. In contrast, the alternative approach offered by value management is based on the learning paradigm of soft systems thinking. While the objectives of value engineering are dominated by cost reduction, the purpose of value management is to develop a common understanding of the design problem and to identify explicitly an agreed statement of design objectives by the project stakeholders. smart value management is introduced as the means by which these ends can be achieved. It is further suggested that this approach enables project managers to exert an increased level of control over the early stages of building design. It also ensures that different interest groups within the client organization are actively involved in the design process, and that they thus ‘buy in’ to the decisions which are made.
Value Engineering Factors with an Impact on Design Management Performance of Construction Projects
Journal of Management in Engineering, 2022
Design management is one of the most important construction project stages. Identifying the factors that impact a project's performance is crucial for the overall success of construction projects. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by examining value engineering elements that might affect design management performance to keep the project team focused on those issues to achieve successful design management performance. As an integrated aspect of lean construction, this would result in a successful project with minimal waste of time, cost, or rework. Based on the assumptions made, these value engineering components were prioritized by their significance. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to quantitatively examine the impact of value engineering parameters on design management performance. After a detailed analysis of the literature and consultation with value engineering experts and design professionals, 22 value engineering design management factors were identified and then grouped into the three categories of designers' conditions, owner and stakeholders' conditions, and value engineering conditions. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to construction industry professionals to rank the factors on a five-point Likert scale. One hundred and fifty complete responses were received. The structural equation model (SEM) and the collected data were used to study the relationship and association between these value engineering factors and design management performance. After performing a thorough analysis of the results, the top-ranked group was found to be the owner and stakeholders' conditions, followed by the group of value engineering conditions and design conditions, respectively. The results of this study will help design professionals consider the value engineering factors during the design stage of a project according to their importance, as suggested by this research.
Value Management (VM) has been proven to provide a structured framework, together with other supporting tools and techniques, that facilitate effective decision-making in many types of projects, thus achieving ‘best value’ for clients. One of the major success factors of VM in achieving better project objectives for clients is through the provision of beneficial input by multi-disciplinary team members being involved in critical decision-making discussions during the early stage of construction projects. This paper describes a doctoral research proposal based on the application of VM in design and build construction projects, especially focussing on the design stage. The research aims to study the effects of implementing VM in design and build construction projects, in particular how well the methodology addresses issues related to cost overruns resulting from poor coordination and overlooking of critical constructability issues amongst team members in construction projects in Malaysia. It is proposed that through contractors’ early involvement during the design stage, combined with the use of the VM methodology, particularly as a decision-making tool, better optimization of construction cost can be achieved, thus promoting more efficient and effective constructability. The main methods used in this research involve a thorough literature study, semi-structured interviews, and a survey of major stakeholders, a detailed case study and a VM workshop and focus group discussions involving construction professionals in order to explore and possibly develop a framework and a specific methodology for the facilitating successful application of VM within design and build construction projects.
A problem‐solving approach to value‐adding decision making in construction design
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 2006
Purpose-To illustrate the use of a Value Adding Toolbox by construction industry designers when addressing customer value expectations using problem solving. Design/methodology/approach-Focused literature review establishes the need for construction industry design solutions to deliver customer value and a Value Adding Toolbox is proposed in response. Case studies validate Toolbox use and one illustrative example is provided. Interviews with prospective Toolbox users identify barriers to adoption and inform a recommended approach to organisational adoption. Findings-The Toolbox is found to be effective at helping construction designers to solve technical design problems with regard to customer expectations of value. However, designers are found to be initially reluctant to adopt the new tool. Organisation learning is therefore required to establish the importance of customer value satisfaction as a prerequisite to Toolbox adoption by designers. Originality/value-This paper provides a useful insight into the practical application of problemsolving tools by construction designers to better understand customer needs.
DESIGN MANAGEMENT: A VALUE BASED APPROACH
The philosophy of lean thinking has been adopted relatively quickly by contracting organisations, keen to reduce waste in the realisation of construction projects. Given a strong argument for greater synergy between design, manufacturing and construction there would appear to be considerable potential in moving the lean thinking upstream, starting with the briefing and conceptual design stages and managing the flow of decisions through to the completed building, thus helping to deliver value within a lean framework. Value is the end-goal and therefore value parameters are key to the achievement of improved productivity and client/user satisfaction. The three-phase Value/Process/Operation (VPO) model starts by identifying value parameters, then moves to designing the process and finally onto the operations. The model lies at the heart of a lean design process model implemented by a consulting company and a contractor in Denmark. The case study helps to illustrate the benefits of taki...
Integral value engineering in design
1999
Construction industry clients demand certainty in project cost, quality and time. The inability of traditionally composed design teams to consistently deliver this suggests that their expertise is sometimes inadequate. As clients become more dynamic in the next millennium, they are likely to demand greater certainty when construction projects are implemented to support frequent revisions in their short term function. By establishing a collaborative working framework it is proposed that supply chains can be better managed to identify and ...
APPLICATION OF VALUE ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Value engineering is a successful technique that has been tested in many countries and reduces the cost of the construction projects Value Engineering is a creative, organized effort, which analyzes the requirements of a project for the purpose of achieving the essential functions at the lowest total costs over the life of the project. Through a group investigation, using experienced, multidisciplinary teams, value and economy are improved through the study of alternate design concepts, materials, and methods without compromising the functional and value objectives of the client. Value engineering is the process of relating the functions, the quality and the costs of the project in the determination of optimum solutions for the project. A cost-effective solution is achieved by an application of VE principle for different components of the structures relating its quality and quantity. This study mainly focuses on new techniques, methods and materials that can be adopted in construction industry, in which, its cost, quality, process time and feasibility are considered. Value Engineering focuses on accomplishing the required functions at the lowest overall cost. It helps in eliminating or minimizing wastage of material, time, and unnecessary cost, which improves value to the customer.
A Decade of Value Engineering in Construction Projects
Advances in Civil Engineering
Over the past half-century, value engineering (VE) has emerged as an effective tool to manage time, costs, and quality with an aim to maximize value. It has been shown to be a highly effective approach for evaluating current construction projects. However, this tool’s application in the construction domain is quite variable. This research aims to provide an in-depth quantitative and qualitative content analysis of the application of VE in construction projects. It is found that new research over the past decade has continuously improved the efficiency and productiveness of VE practices. Current work focuses on integrating VE with other disciplines, applying VE in diverse project domains, assessing VE performance, and developing new VE technologies. This broad review highlights some of the key areas of interest that required future investigation to ensure the continued delivery of value in the ever-changing and evolving construction industry.
Value Management in Infrastructure Project Design: Unlocking the Project Team's Creativity
2012
Value Management (VM) is a proven methodology that provides a structured framework using supporting tools and techniques that facilitate effective decision-making in many types of projects, thus achieving ‘best value’ for clients. It offers an exceptionally robust approach to exploring the need and function of projects to be aligned with client’s objectives. The functional analysis and creativity phases of VM are crucial as it focused on utilising innovative thinking to understand the objectives of clients’ projects and provide value-adding solutions at the early discovery stages of projects. There is however a perception of VM as just being another cost-cutting tool, which has overshadowed the fundamental benefits of the method, therefore negating both influence and wider use in the construction industry. This paper describes findings from a series of case studies conducted at project and corporate levels of a current public funded infrastructure projects in Malaysia. The study aim...