BRE BR399 PDF

Introduction

This practical guide is one of four BRE guidance documents on Value Management (VM). The other publications are; Value from construction: Getting started in Value Management, The Value workshop and Value for social housing. It covers one of the fundamental techniques of the VM process, function analysis, and the Function Analysis Systems Technique (F.A.S.T.) diagramming technique. It will be useful for participants in a VM workshop, allow them to gain an insight into F.A.S.T. diagramming and an initial understanding of a process which can appear confusing at first.

There are three key components of a good VM study:

Job Plan

This provides a structured approach to decision making and problem solving with an emphasis on function and functionality. The Job Plan usually consists of seven phases, carried out logically and in sequence; they include:

1 identification – of the problem, needs, wants and priorities;

2 information – on costs, risks, time-scales, constraints;

3 idea generation – of options to the problem under investigation;

4 idea evaluation – of the most promising options;

5 idea development – of the most promising options;

6 decision and implementation – of most appropriate options to pursue;

7 feedback – on the success rate and lessons learnt.

The Job Plan is dealt with in more detail in another of these guides: The Value Workshop.

An emphasis on function and functionality

Function and functionality are best considered using function analysis and function diagramming techniques. These help to develop a better understanding of why a project or system is needed and what it is required to do by:

providing a broader perspective of the situation rather than focusing on solutions;

using creative thinking to identify all the functions/performance requirements;

encouraging the workshop team to take ownership of the problem areas.

A well chosen multidisciplinary team A distinctive characteristic of VM is the team approach to creativity through the application of the job plan.

These three key components enable the workshop team to develop innovative solutions that will satisfy the client's needs.