Value Engineering: A real cost saving or just a long-term cost?
credit: siraanamwong

Value Engineering: A real cost saving or just a long-term cost?

Over the last month I’ve had the opportunity to review a couple of recently completed projects each of which went through a significant VE exercise.? The results wen’t good.

?Having looked up the definition of Value Engineering I came across the following definitions…

  • Value engineering is a systematic and organized approach to providing the necessary functions in a project at the lowest cost.
  • Value engineering promotes the substitution of materials and methods with less expensive alternatives, without sacrificing functionality.
  • The ultimate formula for value is often defined as function divided by cost, with value engineering striving to maximize function while minimizing cost.

At least 2 of the definitions consider function in a positive context ‘without sacrificing functionality’, and ‘striving to maximise function’, however in the UK we seem to follow the first definition where the aim is ‘to provide the necessary functions at the lowest cost’, essentially grinding everything down to the lowest common denominator, price.

I’m pretty sure that quite a few of my industry colleagues would agree that light, and in particular quality of light should never be value engineered.? Not all LEDs are born equal, just because a luminaire may look the same as the one that was specified does not mean that what is being delivered is the same.

Here are the readings I took from both sites…

Where's the red?
A bit more red but not much.

I don’t understand how in the 21st century we can accept CRI80 in any workplace environment, even more alarming is the red (R9), it is non-existent.

Is it any wonder that the occupier of one of these spaces is now looking to retrospectively find solutions for their staff who are complaining about headaches and general wellbeing etc.

The science of how we consume light is catching up fast.?

Light is a critical component for our health and wellbeing.

Quality of Light should never be value engineered.

Value Engineering then - a cost saving or simply a false economy?



Ulysse Dormoy

CEO at Atrium Ltd.

5 个月

This came into my feed this morning. Maybe one of the most catastrophic consequences of VE. Alice Perkins was also told that the Post Office had "driven a very hard bargain" on the price of Horizon, and in return developer Fujitsu had cut corners on the quality of the software. I think we see corners being cut all the time with light in the commercial project sector. Many not with the same disastrous end result as what has happened at the Post Office, however light has a value greater than just cost alone! https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c88847v14e3o

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Paul Iddon

Vice President Manchester Society of Architects Owner/Director at Agency PSI Ltd

5 个月

'I've value engineered our reception sweetheart' - a memory to last a lifetime

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Paul M Martin Dip G.A.I

Managing Director d line UKI

5 个月

There is zero Value for a client at the end of the process. It’s simply phrased as such to make cost cuttings appear valuable. Sometimes an absolute disgrace especially when products are never compared and only figures are. Good article

Ralph Booth

Sales Director and Founder at OSIN

5 个月

The ultimate oxymoron no value and no engineering!

Lorraine Calcott IEng FILP IALD MSLL

Delivers #Training #Speaker #LightingDesign #Light&Health #InfraRedSpecialist #LightingForDevelopment #Ecology #InteriorLighting #ExteriorLightingDesign #LightingConsultancy #SecuredByDesign #Regeneration #LIAs #Solar

5 个月

in my view the killer of any good design.

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