CVS CVS Value Engineering Techniques Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Value Engineering (VE) is best defined as:
- A cost-cutting technique that reduces project quality
- A systematic, function-oriented study to improve value by optimizing cost relative to required performance (Correct answer)
- A procurement method for selecting the lowest bidder
- A quality control inspection process
Correct answer: A systematic, function-oriented study to improve value by optimizing cost relative to required performance
VE improves value by analyzing functions and finding ways to achieve required performance at reduced cost, without sacrificing quality or reliability.
Question 2: The concept of 'value' in Value Engineering is expressed as:
- Value = Cost × Quality
- Value = Function / Cost (Correct answer)
- Value = Performance - Risk
- Value = Price + Service
Correct answer: Value = Function / Cost
Value = Function/Cost means that value improves by either increasing function (performance) or decreasing cost, or both simultaneously.
Question 3: Which technique involves reversing assumptions about how a function must be performed to stimulate creative alternatives?
- Morphological analysis
- Brainstorming with rules
- Random stimulation
- Assumption reversal (challenge technique) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Assumption reversal (challenge technique)
Assumption reversal challenges the team to question and reverse established design assumptions, often revealing unconventional but viable alternatives.
Question 4: In VE, 'benchmarking' is used to:
- Compare the current design's performance and cost against best-in-class standards or competitors (Correct answer)
- Set the project construction schedule milestones
- Evaluate facilitator performance after a workshop
- Determine the project's environmental impact
Correct answer: Compare the current design's performance and cost against best-in-class standards or competitors
Benchmarking identifies performance and cost gaps by comparing against industry leaders, revealing specific improvement targets.
Question 5: Which federal legislation requires Value Engineering for certain U.S. government projects?
- The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-131 and related regulations (Correct answer)
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- The Federal Acquisition Reform Act
Correct answer: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-131 and related regulations
OMB Circular A-131 (and subsequent updates) mandates VE programs for federal agencies on construction, grants, and other applicable projects.
Question 6: The 'Blast-Create-Refine' technique in VE refers to:
- Demolishing existing structures before redesign
- Aggressively eliminating existing ideas, generating new ones, then refining the best alternatives (Correct answer)
- A construction sequencing method
- A rapid cost estimation procedure
Correct answer: Aggressively eliminating existing ideas, generating new ones, then refining the best alternatives
Blast-Create-Refine is a three-step creative process: first eliminate constraints, then generate unlimited ideas, then refine the most promising into viable solutions.
Value Engineering (VE) is best defined as: