What is the main objective of value engineering?

The main objective of value engineering is to develop a facility that minimizes lifecycle costs. This approach focuses on improving the value of a project by assessing its functions and finding ways to achieve the desired performance at a lower cost without sacrificing quality. Value engineering involves analyzing the necessary functions of a product or service and identifying cost-effective alternatives that maintain or enhance performance and quality.

By concentrating on lifecycle costs, value engineering acknowledges that the initial costs of construction are only a small part of the total costs incurred during the life of a facility, which includes operation, maintenance, and disposal costs. This mindset facilitates a thorough evaluation of design choices, materials, and processes to find the most economical options.

Maximizing an item's material use, increasing design complexity, or focusing solely on aesthetic aspects do not align with the fundamental purpose of value engineering, which is to achieve the best performance for the best price over the entire lifecycle of a project.