Industry lingo is representative of some of the major advances in the processes and gains associated with construction. One such term that finds increasing popularity is value engineering. So, what is value engineering and how does it benefit the construction process? Using engineering principles to achieve the utmost value with the least possible cost is a construction industry art form called value engineering. Value engineering involves substituting tried and tested materials and methods with less expensive options, without affecting functionality and output. One of the parts of the construction workflow that can benefit from value engineering is MEP coordination services.
During World War II, it was at General Electric that the idea of value engineering emerged. Product value was defined as a ratio: function/cost. This implied that the value of a product could be increased by either improving its function or reducing its cost. The concept was adopted across industries, and the construction industry, specifically, enjoyed considerable benefits.
Value engineering is a resourceful, organised method of analysing project requirements to lower total costs through capital, staffing, energy and maintenance expenses. Alternate designs, materials and workflows are studied and investigated to improve value and economy. This methodology can play a key role in improving the design and layout of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, or MEP (M&E) systems. Not only is the budget drained, but there is a noticeable time delay when MEP systems clash during construction. Four features of utilities installation are enhanced when MEP systems are efficiently developed using the value engineering method. They are:
- Design calculations
- Layout comparisons
- Cost evaluations
- Effective solutions
The design stages of a project present a prime opportunity for productivity gain and cost savings. Computer-aided design (CAD) technology enables critical design workflows to design informed MEP systems. Reliability is key to designing efficient MEP systems. In the design drafting phase of value engineering, a selection of design layouts must be considered to determine the most cost-effective option. Third-party drafting services providers have shown they are quick and effective in delivering multiple layout options for MEP systems. The vendor providing these services must be skilled in generating 3D and 2D utility systems layouts, which can later be evaluated by in-house engineering personnel. Ultimately, spending money wisely is the bottom line of value engineering, and that leads to finding the right outsourcing partner – a partner who brings the most value to a project. Experienced outsourced engineering services firms can maintain value while not charging hidden costs, extra fees or having inflexible contracts.
A successful outsourcing partner can contribute to economic planning and effective design by delivering precise MEP drafting, 3D modelling and design package documentation. Offshore partners can facilitate significant savings by delivering drafting documentation quickly and reliably. In MEP systems design, a considerable part of the work is repetitive and requires extensive documentation. Offshore engineering services can be value-conscious partners in this part of the design process. Outsourcing of projects that require proficient technical skills is growing in popularity and has been shown to be an economically astute option. Offshore companies generally have a large pool of skilled CAD technicians who are proficient in high-level CAD and BIM software, such as Revit. Aided by online sharing tools, outsourced firms can partner with in-house staff while providing high value output, without the principal firm investing in hiring, training and maintaining domestic staff for large projects.
Increasingly, governments in the West are making it mandatory to follow a value-engineered course of action for government projects. To reduce construction costs and ensure the building performance quality required for MEP systems, pertinent points to consider are:
- Alternate low-cost methods, materials or workflows that perform the same function