MEeT LAwREnCE..

            Lawrence Delos Miles’s life exemplifies dedication and perseverance. With parents who are both connected with the academe, learning and discovering new things must have been inculcated in his mind. His parents might be very busy in their jobs and his independence might have developed his capacity to be creative and innovative.

His choice to become a teacher and principal let him shared his knowledge and experiences to his students. It symbolizes his willingness to impart himself through teaching. His experience as an assistant cashier and teller in a bank probably made him realize the importance or the value of money because I think learning through experience is more effective. Just like any new graduate, during that time maybe he was still gathering experiences and looking for a career where his passion can really be applied.

            When he became a Design Engineer of General Electric (GE), the twelve (12) patented designs on vacuum tube and related designs for just a period of six years showed his exceptional skills in inventing and in designing. If he hadn’t proven himself, I guess Mr. Winne and Mr. Du Chemin would not have trusted him and his ideas on the value analysis concept.

            His position as a Purchase Engineer in the same company helped him in formulating the “function approach” for GE to improve cost and productivity. He did his job, came up with a brighter idea, shared his newly found knowledge, put it into writing, and so, his efforts were properly acknowledged. Quoted from the movie, 3 Idiots, Mr. Miles didn’t run for success. He just did his best in his line of expertise and success did run after him. For me, it was not luck at all, but a fruit of his labour and commitment to change the perception of industry leaders towards value in business. The functional approach of value analysis might have also changed the attitudes of those trained and influenced by Mr. Miles. He became even more successful when he authored books on Value Analysis and Value Engineering. Not only did he learn from his experiences but he made use of those experiences in a right way.

             The numerous awards he received were concrete proofs that testified his credibility in the world of value engineering. One attitude I have observed in Mr. Miles is his selflessness in sharing what he knows about Value Engineering and its process. He was more than willing to spend time and accept all invitations he received. The gratitude of the several organizations was given back to him through acknowledgements and rewards. If it had not been because of his support, the value engineering societies might not have been organized and gave birth to another similar society having the same goals. To some people, he was like a long-awaited personality bringing hope with him as inscribed in his Brazilian Medal that his visit in Brazil was a value beyond any analysis.

His eighty-one (81) years of existence showing a fulfilled and happy life left a legacy for all willing individuals who want to put value analysis into practice. I might be one of them. Who knows? 

(//_^)

ThE EvOLuTiON oF vALUe EnGiNEERinG

Crown Regency Hotel and Towers (miniature)

The World War II saying which says that “necessity is the mother of invention” has been proven by the conceptualization of the value analysis. We should be thankful, in a way, to the war because it forced the father of Value Engineering, Mr. Lawrence Delos Miles, to think outside of the box.

The history of Value Engineering (VE) started as a concept and through the efforts of Mr. Lawrence Miles, value analysis was slowly implemented. The pressure caused by the war during that time has motivated him to find immediate solutions to their problems. I believe it did not require him a lot of convincing power to get the support of William Sredenscheck and Harry Erlicher because of their present situation. All wars are considered harmful but indirectly blaming the scriptures, since it was written so it was done. Nevertheless, it was still a blessing in disguise in the aspect of VE.

I believe value analysis was long applied by the ancient people. Since human beings have the ability to invent and innovate according to what is needed, tools were made to provide convenience. People from long ago focused on the basic needs. In fact, their houses were built simply to provide shelter. No more. No less. When they need something, they find ways to provide it. It’s that simple.

At present, almost everything is provided for our convenience. As a result, innovation sometimes becomes a basis for excellence. In technological gadgets for example, the more features the better. But this must not be applied in everything. In this time of economic crises, we still need to be practical. The usability of any product must always be considered. It should be a necessity so that its price, even how expensive it is, will still be reasonable.

During the time of World War II, Mr. Miles focused on finding available substitutes that would provide the same function. His dedication in his job as a Purchase Engineer made him successful in his endeavour to share his idea on value analysis. During the time when value analysis was conceptualized in 1946 until it is being adopted by the Bureau of Ships in 1954, I think it was never easy if Mr. Miles’ commitment was half-baked. It must have been his perseverance in convincing other professionals that made him gain the support of his countrymen. Taking General Electric Company as a concrete example was enough evidence on the results of applying VE. The history is worth continuing in other countries like ours so that someday, we will also be part of it. It is always better to be part of any history than just a statistic.

Value Analysts will not simply help the industry go back to the basic but at the same time, provide equal or better alternatives. Since the implementation of Value Engineering creates a remarkable impact in the industry, the history is worth remembering.

At present, most people want something new or something different. If necessity was the mother of invention, let value engineering be the mother of innovation.  (//_^)

vALUe EnGiNEERinG in THe CoNsTRuCTioN iNDusTrY

Hotel Construction (Cebu)

            

           The evolution of the value engineering concept can be considered as an answer to most economic problems particularly in building construction. I agree that a number of existing construction projects carry unnecessary components because in reality, a perfect project does not exist. Therefore, it would be more beneficial if value engineering (VE) is considered at the design stage which is also emphasized in its distinction from value analysis which on the other hand, is particularly for existing products. Though most projects are subject to improvement, VE must either improve or eliminate unnecessary costs. If a construction project has already been built and subjected to VE, the application of value analysis might just be minimal.

            Identifying the functions can be done with ease but finding alternatives and/or substitutes at the lowest possible cost requires skills and expertise of a team of decision makers. The best option is the one that gives the most sensible savings yet improves or maintains the performance or the quality of the project.

            Value Engineers always prefer what is readily available and whichever costs less and thus, it avoids baffling situations and reduces stress in the workplace. Mr. Lawrence D. Miles, the father of Value Methodology, developed the concept through research. I believe that the use of a value job plan really requires the team to do research and analysis before coming up with the best decision.

In USA, VE is now employed on a mandatory basis. It’s good that the government did impose such law requiring the different industries and federal agencies to experience the good effects of VE. The inexpensive cost in implementing it and the several stories of success are enough reasons to make it compulsory. Eventually, the public will just accept it once they see the advantages.

The concept of value engineering is carried on and propagated through the professional societies. Since it should also grow with the times, members and practitioners are updated through regular conferences and publications. In this way, the dissemination of the concept and sharing of ideas, opinions and experiences become easier.

In this time of economic crises, value engineering can now be considered as a need. Samples shown in the book of Juan de Vincente illustrates a clear evidence that VE helps a lot in the cost reduction of construction projects after a methodical and rigorous functional analysis. The huge amount of savings after the inexpensive cost of implementation makes another success story worth telling to the world.

ROBINSONs-GenSan (construction phase)

Even if I am not a value analyst, I could still use the “systematic application of recognized techniques” in every decision I make from time to time. For me, as an advocate of VE, this is consistency. I’ll walk the talk and I’ll live what I teach. Someday, these learnings might give me ideas on how to deal with bigger things in the bigger world. (//_^)