Enhancing the Evaluation Phase of Value Engineering in Construction Projects Through Application of Choosing by Advantages (CBA)

Value engineering (VE) is a systematic methodology used by a multidisciplinary team of professionals to provide value to the owner of a project, product, or service. This value can manifest in reduced cost, improved performance and quality of systems or overall project saving. The success of a VE methodology depends on the team conducting good function analysis, using correct creativity approaches, and employing better evaluation tools. Noteworthy is that the use of conventional VE methodology has shown various limitations where project owners may end up not getting the needed value. Thus, this research assessed the evaluation phase of VE and then proposed and demonstrated a new evaluation technique in VE called Choosing by Advantages (CBA) on a small case study project. The CBA concept was presented to the VE practitioners and then a survey questionnaire was administered to them to get their feedback about the concept relative to improving construction project outcome. The results showed a user-friendly and accepted CBA tool which could be used in VE methodology by construction project teams to provide the needed project value. This research contributes to the VE studies body of knowledge especially those focusing on improving construction project value and overall outcome.