Our Services at Robinson, Stafford & Rude, Inc.
Value Engineering
Most commonly, Value Engineering (VE) is the term used to describe the application of the Value Methodology to capital projects, such as roads, bridges, dams, building, and other similar facilities. RSRI is particularly adept at this application of the Value Methodology, having conducted hundreds of VE studies over our 17-year history. The RSRI approach to conducting VE studies is consistent with the standards of SAVE International, ASTM, AASHTO, EPA, the Corps of Engineers and other U.S. Federal and State agencies.
Historically, we have focused on conducting VE studies on infrastructure projects. Approximately 75 percent of our VE studies have been for municipalities. The majority have been on projects that in some fashion deal with water: water and wastewater, CSO, drainage, dams, flood control, ports & docks, locks, canals, swimming pools, etc. We have, however, also conducted studies on many other types of projects, as well, such as roads, bridges, tunnels, railroads, aircraft facilities, power facilities, military facilities, building of all types so our staff has a keen understanding of issues which are important on essentially all types of projects. Please visit our client page to see examples of our previous projects.
Through our many years of conducting VE studies, RSRI has developed an optimized approach to structuring each study that custom-tunes the process to the individual needs of each client and each project. While we always use the SAVE, International-approved Value Engineering 6-step process, there are many adjustments within the process that we refine for each assignment to produce the optimal results. These adjustments include:
- Selection of the best detailed method for accomplishing each of the six steps in the VE process on each project
- Selection of VE technical team members with experience and expertise specific to the needs of each project
- Matching the duration of the VE workshop to the project size and complexity
- Optimizing the time participation of the team members
- Alternative methods for incorporating the Owner’s staff knowledge of the project issues into the VE process
- Adjusting the relative emphasis on capital and operating cost in identifying VE recommendations
- Adjusting the focus of the VE team recommendations to the level of project completion at the time of the VE study
These refinements result in a better VE team understanding of the issues and functions of the project, and more efficient use of the VE team’s time, producing both a greater number and a higher quality of VE recommendations. They improve the efficiency of the VE process, resulting in less time spent on idea evaluation, and more time spent in producing solid recommendations for owner consideration. The focus is on solid technical content and not fancy presentation “fluff”.
The RSRI approach is founded on the development of and strict adherence to an optimized workshop agenda. This approach enhances VE team productivity and ensures that all of the work of the team will be completed on time. A key difference between our approach and that of our competitors is the intense, focused management of the workshop time and activities.
