DEVELOPMENT OF A VALUB ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTSYSTEM FOR CONSTRUCTIONPROJECTS IN IRAQ

Abstract

The escalating cost of construction projects combined with the competitive nature of the constructionindustry requires the constant search for methods to increase the efficiency of such projects throughthe elimination of unnecessary costs while maintaining as well as improving levels of quality andperformance desired.Value Engineering (VE) offers an opportunity to achieve these goals, however, VE utilization by theconstruction industry in Iraq remains limited as hypothesized by the researchers. Hence, the reasonsfor this condition are worthy of investigation .Based on that, this research work has attempted toexamine the current status of implementation of value engineering methodology 'within the Iraqiconstruction industries, well as pinpointing areas of weakness in applying VE,The validity of the research hypothesis was tested by carrying out both an open and closedquestionnaires, where a sample of Iraqi professional engineers -working in both the public and privatesectors have participated in responding to the questionnaires. Analysis of responses to thequestionnaires has indicated the validity of the research hypothesis as well as identifying significantslips, which hinder the proper application of VE by the Iraqi construction industry. The researchershas proposed certain remedial actions to overcome these slips which have initiated the second majorobjective of the research work which entails the proposal of a "Value Engineering ManagementSystem" (VEMS) to facilitate the systematic application of VE methodology and techniques by theIraqi engineers.The evaluation process of the s)'stem by a number of experts has demonstrated approval andpossibility pf application in the field.