Quality control (QC) is a major concern of today's design firms. How- ever, quality alone is not enough in today's competitive marketplace. Clients expect a quality design. If they also perceive that quality design is cost-effective, they will likely hire you again. Value engineering (VE) is a powerful tool, known primarily for its ben- efits in cost control, which can be applied successfully to QC to give you a quality, cost-effective design. By comparing common elements of QC and VE programs, we can develop an approach that brings the best attributes of both to our design process. One approach is a QC VE workshop. One common element of VE and QC programs is the team approach. The multidisciplinary project team is key to production of a quality product by an AE design firm. The VE team is also multidisciplinary and, even though specific personnel should not be the same, the disci- plines needed most likely will be. A second common element is the need for disciplined management techniques. A good QC program is based upon project work plans. These are established procedures reflecting management commitment attitudes. VE uses disciplined management techniques known as the VE Job Plan. Adherence to its established procedures maximizes the results of a VE study. A third common element is a strong team leader. In a QC program, the project manager moves the project to its completion, ultimately responsible for the quality of the project. In VE, the VE team leader, ideally a certified value specialist (CVS), is ultimately responsible for production of practical, cost-effective recommendations. VALUE ENGINEERING: A TOOL FOR QUALITY CONTROL IN DESIGN By Scot McClintock, PE
By staffing the VE team with technically experienced, qualified per- sonnel, you are checking the technical adequacy of the project. As the team goes through the information phase, the standard VE forms can be augmented with discipline-specific technical checklists. Unlike traditional VE, the VE team can also be charged with writing technical comments and marking drawings to document areas where technical quality needs bolstering. Review of preliminary design is the place where a VE workshop for QC fits for all projects. The extent of the workshop is simply adjusted to fit the size and complexity of the project. Preliminary design draw- ings, outline specifications, quantity takeoffs and preliminary cost estimates are all available at this point. The stage is set for a VE review and, more importantly in this application, a QC review for technical adequacy and conformance to client goals. And, if the VE team comes up with a breakthrough that allows the design firm to spend clients' money like its own, so much the better. Clients will not soon forget quality, cost-effective products. At preliminary design, design changes can be incorporated as project design continues without destroying the design budget or schedule. Another use of a QC VE workshop is to solve specific problems that have arisen. For example, the probable cost estimate is 20 percent over budget or a particularly difficult design decision cannot be agreed upon. The VE team can be given specific targets to study in the work- shop. Client representatives can be added to the VE team if their input can help make decisions. Most clients would welcome a chance to give such input. VE techniques work, and sometimes, the differences between VE and conventional design help solve seemingly impos- sible problems. Other Applications of VE Techniques VE techniques can be very useful to a QC program at other points where a full VE workshop is not warranted. This is especially true of creative techniques such as brainstorming. Functional analysis tech- niques can also be used effectively throughout design to make design decisions based on necessary functions. Finally, many of the compara-
A final common element is independence. When actual QC reviews are performed, they should be done by individuals who are not on the project team. The VE team must also be independent of the project team. In both cases, a fresh set of eyes is beneficial to the review. There is one exception to this, which will be discussed later. Characteristics of a QC VE Workshop The emphasis of a QC VE Workshop is on quality, conformance to client goals and tech- nical adequacy. Cost is still important because you want clients to feel that you are spending their money like it was your own. But, the main thrust of the workshop is to ensure the design team is producing a quality project.
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