Value Engineering - Does Value Engineering really add value?

[Chennaiite]

Does Value Engineering really add value ?

As far as my experience goes, more often than not we tend to ignore the Values at the design stage and then come back to improve it in the name of Value Engineering. I'll take the case of Product design. Unless otherwise it is called for technically, testing is apprehended as validation with uni-lateral tolerance, meaning, over-design is easily accepted by the designer. It is obvious that every time 'right the first time' is impractical. But in most of the cases time and resources are not spent on over-design, because of the probable reason that it could impact the project deadline. IMO, we got to react to over-design at least wherever feasible.
Easily, my views are based on my experience. What are your views and experience on this?

 

[Jim Wynne]

Re: Value Engineering - Does it really add value?

Does Value Engineering really add value ?

As far as my experience goes, more often than not we tend to ignore the Values at the design stage and then come back to improve it in the name of Value Engineering. I'll take the case of Product design. Unless otherwise it is called for technically, testing is apprehended as validation with uni-lateral tolerance, meaning, over-design is easily accepted by the designer. It is obvious that every time 'right the first time' is impractical. But in most of the cases time and resources are not spent on over-design, because of the probable reason that it could impact the project deadline. IMO, we got to react to over-design at least wherever feasible.
Easily, my views are based on my experience. What are your views and experience on this?

There are different definitions of what constitutes Value Engineering, but in general and as you suggest, it's a euphemism for a group of people who clean up a design after the design engineers have made a mess of it after the designers have finished with it and have gone on to something else.

Whether or not there's any actual value involved depends on a lot factors, such as how well the "lessons learned" are put to use in subsequent designs. In my experience, what Value Engineering needs more of is people asking why these wonderful and valuable ideas weren't built into the design to begin with. The failure to do this makes Value Engineering a perpetual mop-up operation in many cases, with expense and not value being added.

 

[John Broomfield]

Re: Value Engineering - Does it really add value?

Does Value Engineering really add value ?

As far as my experience goes, more often than not we tend to ignore the Values at the design stage and then come back to improve it in the name of Value Engineering. I'll take the case of Product design. Unless otherwise it is called for technically, testing is apprehended as validation with uni-lateral tolerance, meaning, over-design is easily accepted by the designer. It is obvious that every time 'right the first time' is impractical. But in most of the cases time and resources are not spent on over-design, because of the probable reason that it could impact the project deadline. IMO, we got to react to over-design at least wherever feasible.
Easily, my views are based on my experience. What are your views and experience on this?

Chennaiite,

Value is affordable quality.

In construction design a deeper look at the client's needs and the user's needs often reveals cheaper requirements. Sometimes designers are fixated on the solution never mind the problem. Calling a design review or two a "value engineering review" can improve value for the owner provided it is done early enough and the facilities manager is part of the review team (to avoid unaffordable costs of ownership).

BTW, many SAVE members are quality professionals although I allowed my membership to lapse.

Every quality management system should result in value.

John

 

[Duke Okes]

Re: Value Engineering - Does it really add value?

Value engineering embedded into the design process (along with DFMEA, DFM, DOE etc.) can definitely add value if done properly, just as they can as part of continuous improvement.