The main benefit of a VE program is improvement of the benefit-to-cost ratio throughout state transportation programs. Other perceived benefits are as follows:
• Design, construction, and maintenance standards are constantly being reviewed through VE team activities.
• The structured, functional approach using a job plan (see Arts. 10.3 and 10.4) provides trained employees with a new method of approaching problems.
• VE team members develop an appreciation for the concerns and issues of other functional areas or disciplines, and communications are often improved.
• Team work skills and team dynamics are enhanced in the design process.
• Designers improve or develop their skills in preparing and delivering to management logical, organized presentations supporting their views.
• After gaining VE experience, many designers find it comparatively easy to apply the principles in the regular design process.
• Implementing a VECP program has a potential for improving state/contractor relations through more cooperative processing of change proposals.
• Proven VE designs or techniques and VECP-accepted changes often have applications for numerous future projects or contracts, thereby providing continuing savings and other benefits.
AASHTO recommends that orientation and training be provided at nearly every level within the organization, including team members, team leaders, and management. Executive management must understand and support the fundamentals and principles of VE for the program to be successful. VE administrators, team leaders, and team members need basic and subsequent training to ensure success of the VE process and the implementation of recommendations. An overview of the procedures and the benefits of VE should be provided to staff not directly involved to encourage understanding and support.
Training in VE is available from various sources, including the National Highway Institute and consultants. A combination of VE theory and hands-on experience is desirable. SAVE International (formerly Society of American Value Engineers) offers several forms of VE certification. (See www. value-eng. com.) To become certified, one must meet all of the employment, VE performance standards, formal training, professional growth, and professional contribution requirements established by SAVE. The following certifications are available:
• A value methodology practitioner. Individuals who are familiar with VE but whose primary occupation is not VE.
• An associate value specialist. Individuals familiar with VE, but who have not acquired enough points to become a certified value specialist.
• A certified value specialist (CVS). Individuals whose principal occupation is VE.
To become a CVS, one must attend a 40-h SAVE-certified Mod I VE workshop and a 24-h SAVE-certified Mod II VE workshop, have 50 percent or more of the job description relate to VE, perform a number of VE studies as a team member and as a team leader, write a paper on VE, and take a test. Normal time to become certified is 4 to 5 years.
