tive techniques from the evaluation phase of VE can be used to make design choices throughout the design. Creative design techniques can lead to more efficient use of personnel, equipment and experiences to keep the cost of design down. This may lead to increased profitability on the project. Design schedules can also be shortened by developing creative design approaches. Often, all that is needed to work smarter is to take time at the project's start to sit back and think. Brainstorming techniques can help maximize the efficiency and potential profitability of project work planning. Function analysis may find client goals that are excessive or have unde- sirable side effects, which can be presented to clients so that they may change or reconfirm their goals. On the other hand, function analysis may discover functions (goals) which need to be added. Either way, clients can make educated decisions and the design firm's solution can be viewed as a quality one by the clients. Unlike traditional VE, VE for QC would most likely be staffed in- house. The flexibility, proximity, and timeliness of the in-house VE team are essential to accomplish a QC VE workshop without disrupt- ing design schedules or budgets. VE workshops for QC are often less than the traditional 40 hours. The project size and complexity, and common sense, determine how long a workshop will be and how many members will be on the team. How- ever, there must be enough time to complete the QC task. On a small project, with a small amount of information to absorb, the job plan can be carried out very successfully in four hours if need be. The CVS must, however, stay on top of the team to get that success. Just as in traditional VE, the VE team in a QC role identifies and justi- fies recommended changes and returns them to the project team for approval, implementation and modification. The CVS should work with the project manager to ensure maximum implementation of the VE team's recommendations. Where QC VE Workshops Fit In considering the life of a project, from identification of a project op- portunity to construction completion, there are two points in a project that readily come to mind where QC VE workshops are effective. In chronological order, they are Concept Selection and QC Review of Preliminary Design. Use of a VE workshop for concept selection is a fairly unique applica- tion of VE where the best concept is not easily selected. VE can help by functionally breaking down client needs and desires and translating them into project concepts. In addition, the VE team can actually be the project team. The project team has not yet begun design to any appre- ciable extent and, therefore, is still open-minded. It has, by definition, the mix of disciplines necessary to properly address the project. Most importantly, the project team needs to get up to speed on the project anyway. The VE workshop provides a format for getting the project team together, getting the team members started on the same foot, and helping them select a design concept that functionally, and maybe cre-
atively, satisfies the client goals. With the project team serving as the VE team, the odds of the VE team’s ideas being implemented increase. With the importance of quality control in today’s litigious climate, the design firm should leave no stone unturned in its search for ways to improve quality. VE can serve the firm well by helping it provide technically sound, cost-effective, quality projects which satisfy client goals and, therefore, are viewed as quality projects by the client. This is the ultimate goal and the justification for use of VE techniques and workshops for QC. SCOT MCCLINTOCK has more than 35 years of experience facilitating value engineering studies on complex, multi-disciplinary projects and programs in the USA, Canada, Europe, Korea and the Middle East. A Chief Value Manager in Faithful+Gould’s Consult Group, he leads the Value Management and Engineering practice for North America. Scot is a Certified Value Specialist (CVS-Life) and Fellow of SAVE International and holds a bachelor’s degree and a Masters of Engineering degree from Cornell University. He has balanced cost and quality in more than 425 VE/VM studies to identify improvements upwards of $6 billion on projects totaling nearly $40 billion. Scot has trained nearly 500 personnel in value engineering.
S t r u c t u r a l E n g i n e e r s A x i o m # 7 Structural Engineers Axiom #7
Professional Liability is essential. Overpaying is not. Professional Liabi ity is Essential. Overpaying s Not.
I t pays to have the right profes- sional liability coverage. But you shouldn’t overpay. At Fenner & Esler, we’re more than just brokers. We’re A/E specialists. Delivering the right coverage and value to design firms of all sizes since 1923. With multiple insurance carriers. At Fenner & Esler, we’re more than just brokers. We’re A/E specialists. Delivering the right coverage and value to design firms of all sizes since 1923. With multiple insurance carriers. And a proven track record serving the unique risks of structural engineers. And a proven track record serving the unique risks of structural engineers. It pays to have the right profes- sional liability coverage. But you shouldn’t overpay.
Get a quote—overnight. Visit: www.fenner-esler.com Click “Need a Quote” Call toll-free: 866-PE-PROTEK (866-737-7683 x. 208) Ask for Tim Esler. Email: tesler@fenner-esler.com im@Insuranc 4Structurals.com ww .insurance4structurals.com Get a quote—overnight. i it: w.insurance4structurals.com Click “Need a Quote” ll toll-free: 866-PE-PROTEK ( 66-737-7683 x.208) Ask for Tim Esler. Email: tim@Insurance4Structurals.com
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