Showing papers on "Value engineering published in 1991"

Value Engineering in Egyptian Bridge Construction

Abstract: During the past two decades, various construction systems have been applied in building several highway bridges and elevated roads in Egypt. This paper deals with the use of value engineering principles to evaluate the selection of construction systems for major bridge projects in Egypt. The construction systems used in Egypt and their applicability under different site conditions were reviewed. The study includes eight construction systems and 14 bridge projects. The weighted evaluation technique was used to evaluate the construction system used for each project in comparison with other applicable alternatives. The most important criteria considered in this evaluation include construction cost, resource availability, ease of construction durability, construction progress rate, service life, design efficiency, and maintenance. The evaluation led to basic conclusions concerning whether the system used in each case was the best choice. A call is made for conducting value engineering studies in the early sta...

Cost justification of the new Ohio Edison Company's energy management system

Abstract: The authors discuss a systematic method for analyzing alternative strategies that the Ohio Edison (OE) Company used during the feasibility study of its energy management system (EMS). The primary objectives were to develop requirements, cost estimates, benefits, and an overall plan for a system control center computer upgrade to meet OE's needs through the year 2009. A key element in the requirements study of an energy management system was determining the value of not only the present system, but also of several feasible alternatives in terms of present worth dollars. The term value represents the difference between a system's benefits, or the loss of those benefits, and its cost. When the values of various alternatives are compared over time with that of the existing system, the most cost-effective point for system replacement can be accurately defined along with the best alternatives with varying degrees of implementation costs, and resulting benefits could be evaluated. >

Value engineering during early design

Abstract: Value engineering has recently made a significant impact in the UK construction industry. Many clients are insisting on its application in order to ensure that the completed building design represents value for money. Project managers are enthusiastically adopting the value engineering approach as a means of managing the early stages of design. The current state of development of value engineering in the UK construction industry is described.

Ft. Drum Estimating and Bidding from Contractor’s Point of View

Abstract: The Ft. Drum Project was a high‐risk, large (over $500,000,000) project which the U.S. Corps of Engineers bid on a request‐for‐proposal (RFP) basis rather than the more conventional closed, competitive bid basis. This paper reviews how contractors view such high‐risk projects and how they evaluate and pick joint‐venture partners. It then reviews the RFP method of construction contracting, listing its advantages and disadvantages from the contractor's point of view. From the contractor's point of view, it finds a general lack of advantages to this type of contracting and at least four major disadvantages. It discusses the situation where the owner's budget is significantly overrun and he wants to “improve the project cost” by the use of contractor‐solicited “value engineering” advice. The stated Corps' objective with RFP's is better prices and less claims, but the writer doubts that this will occur. The writer concludes by wondering if the award of a contract to other than the low bidder does not leave the...

The human side of value engineering

Abstract: This paper addresses people, pride and performance and their interrelationship with the Value Engineering (VE) technique. It explores the importance of people for the successful application of the technique. It discusses leadership skills, verbal and non-verbal communi­ cation, team member recognition and participa­ tion, knowledge of right and left bram character­ istics and the part each play in the job plan leading to the successful integration of philosophy and techniques to creat change and improve performance.

Partnering on the Bonneville Navigation Lock

Abstract: The Portland District of the Corps of Engineers has found partnering to be a valuable technique for contract and project management. This paper presents details of the execution of the partnering strategy on three related projects of varying sizes, one of them quite large, and summarizes results.

The strategic pricing center: coordinating marketing, engineering and manufacturing for competitive advantage

Abstract: It is noted that the complexity of the pricing decision demands coordinated information sharing and concerted effort between marketing, engineering, and manufacturing to ensure the implementation of effective pricing strategy. The concept of the pricing center is introduced as the organizational framework for the development of pricing strategy. Marketing, engineering, and manufacturing participants in the pricing center can contribute to the development of effective pricing strategy through the use of techniques such as economic value to the customer (EVC) analysis, competitor analysis, value engineering, design for manufacturability, and quality function deployment. >

Every Penny’s Worth

Abstract: With the increasing complexities of highway megaprojects, state agencies are embracing the value engineering system and reaping handsome dividends. For relatively little investment, VE can yield millions of dollars in savings without sacrificing project quality. The article notes that VE should be an established element of the highway development process, and should receive a consistent amount of funding. A funding level of 0.01-0.3% of the highway budget should be accorded to cost management through the VE process. The article also described how VE is comprised of 4 components: information structuring to force problem solvers to define the problem in terms of function and isolate specific areas of high cost to worth; specualtion to bring out creative solutions; analysis that focuses on the technical feasiblity of alternatives; and proposals submitted by the VE team to the decision makers.

Value Engineering of Construction Projects

Abstract: Value engineering methodology has been used extensively in the manufacturing industry for many years but only recently have the techniques found broad acceptance in construction projects. Value engineering is a process by which all necessary functions are provided at the lowest possible cost without compromising required quality or performance. The method is systematic and analytical and its purpose is to ensure value for money from the project, taking into account the project's whole life. This process may be applied in various ways to construction projects and at various stages of those projects.

Value engineering opportunities in federal adp contracts

Abstract: This paper analyzes the potential for widespread use of Value Engineering (VE) for technology refreshment in automatic data processing (ADP) acquisitions. Some fundamental obstacles to successful expansion of VE are discussed, as part of an analysis of problems with the existing system. The effect of VE on competition for government contracts is addressed, along with an analysis of applicable legal precedent and the possibility of so-called "windfall" profits for sellers. The paper proposes that the current method of updating technology through non-sharing engineering changes and technology upgrade clauses be abolished and replaced exclusively with the VE approach of shared government-contractor savings.