Effective VE Application Using Constructability, Partnering, and Database System

Abstract

Many practitioners and researchers have been paying considerable attention to Value Engineering (VE) methodology. The present application status of VE in the construction industry has shown not to be satisfied and some problems might be expected when applying the VE methodology. The computerization system for VE, where practitioners could preserve related information during VE study, has not been established. As a result, the data gained from the other VE studies are not managed efficiently and not shared with stakeholders. So, practitioners couldn't utilize valuable information from previous VE studies. It results in a poor communication between builders and designers. For the purpose of preventing such problems and pursuing more effective ways of applying VE, some practical suggestions are made in this paper. This paper presents how VE techniques could be used as an effective tool for project integration in the construction process. When using constructability and partnering concepts, a Hybrid VE model is suggested. With this model, designers and builders can interact effectively from the early phase of the project and, use VE as a powerful tool for the improvement activities including design review, and make a cooperative environment without regard to organizational boundaries. Furthermore, the Database system for VE proposals and related information is developed. With this system, VE practitioners can store, share, exchange, and retrieve related information of the previous studies. They can also save the time in processing VE job plan, develop VE proposals more efficiently, and improve the quality of those proposals.