Importance of Value Management

Importance of Value Management The report aims at making the clients aware of the importance of a Value Management (VM) study in their project. It describes the process of the study step by step, the benefits of conducting the study at an early stage and relating the study to specific project issues. It gives a brief understanding of how the VM study works at different stages and a typical agenda provides a brief review of the same. Tools and techniques used in the study are also explained. Finally a short introduction to Value Engineering and the importance of its study at the appropriate time in the Project life cycle will be discussed. 1. Introduction The (Public Private Partnership) project is to be assessed through the value management study. As the project brief indicates a mixed use recreation and commercial centre, a gym, swimming pool, park, health spa, squash court, jogging and cycling tracks with features as leisure facilities and for commercial centre would include retail outlets, health clinics, cafes, offices to let, pharmacies and theatres. Benefits of such a PPP project are it reduces costs, transfer risks to the private partner, shortens the construction period, and has access to skills, experience and technology of the private sector. This project is to cater for the expatriate and local communities living in the suburbs who do not have assess to any leisure facilities. With this project people, especially children will be able to spend time outdoors and use other facilities rather than stay indoors watching television. It also allows people to use various health facilities and do their shopping in their locality i tself. Value management is a study that helps maximize the functional value of the project under study by managing its development right from the concept to its completion by accessing its value system. In a PPP project as there are two parties the government and the private sector there are varying value systems. The public sectors aim is to regulate, deliver services to people and achieve value for money; while the private sectors goal is profit. 2. Value Management Study Value Management (VM) studies are typically initiated for a number of reasons such as cost overrun of the project, communication problems, clients not satisfied with their approach to project management and finally clients who understand and believe that a VM study helps improving the value of the project. The benefits of VM exercise are the maximum when implemented at the start of the project, particularly if its applied during conceptual development and initial design stages. Some of the benefits may be improving project schedule, improving technical specifications, generating alternative ideas; identifying unnecessary expenditure; optimizing resources; eliminating redundant features and appreciation of whole of life cycle costs. The VM study can address specific issues of this PPP project such as a better Value for Money, obtaining provisions for better quality services, quicker delivery of the project and finally better utilization of the assets being put inot the project. 2.1 Orientation Phase The VM study can broadly be divided into three stages namely orientation phase, workshop phase and the implementation phase. During the orientation phase tasks such as coordination of works, gathering of data such as plan layouts, site conditions, project constraints, operational requirements. Also tasks such as scheduling VM study location, preparing the agenda and selecting the study team are done. If large team is selected, subdivide the members to form teams so that specific matters covered in detail. Selection of the team is done by the ACID test. Authorize include those who have authority to take decisions during the workshop. Consult include those without whose consultation the workshop may be suspended. Inform exclude those who have to be merely informed about the outcome of the workshop. Do include those who have to translate the outcome of the workshop into action. The study team comprises of the following: 1 certified value specialist 1 consultant project manager 1 contractors representative 1 quantity surveyor 1 architect with mixed use recreation centre experience 1 structural engineer 1 building service engineer 1 school teacher 1 health counselor It is advised to use a combination of members from the design team and outside in order to assure free thinking and unbiased recommendations. The value specialist will preside over the entire workshop to see that the study is carried out smoothly and as per the agenda. The consultant project manager and the contractors representative represent the client and the contractor, informs each of their value systems to the remaining members of the study team. The quantity surveyor advises about the quantities of items that would be required, while the architect would provide his opinion on what would be the perfect design for the project. The structural engineer looks into the requirement of the elemental units of the structure such as columns and beams so that the structure is stable whereas the building service engineer analyses the services that will be installed once the structure is ready. Besides professional a school teacher and health counselor are appointed into the team so that th ey can provide their perspective representing the local community. AGENDA TIME ACTIVITY Day 1 Pre workshop 16.00 Introduction Purpose of the VM workshop and its benefits 17.00 Gathering information such as project constraints, functional requirements, plan layouts and site conditions 19.00 Familiarizing the team with the agenda (job plan) 20.00 Dinner and getting to know members of the study team Day 2 Workshop phase 09.00 Introduction phase Quick review of collected information 09.30 Issues Analysis 10.45 Snacks break 11.00 Clients value system Identifying main values of the client 12.00 Preparing a strategic timeline for the project Stakeholder mapping 12.30 Familiarizing the study team with Function Analysis and FAST 13.00 Lunch break 14.00 Function Analysis 14.30 Sorting of functions needs and wants 15.00 FAST diagramming 17.00 Tea break 17.30 Review the FAST diagram 18..00 End of DAY 2 Day 3 Workshop phase 09.00 Creativity phase Brainstorming 11.00 Snacks break 11.20 Listing of ideas generated 12.00 Evaluation phase Crude filtering by weighted voting to reduce number of ideas Refined filtering green dots to select 8 ideas red dots to select 4 ideas. 13.30 Lunch break 14.30 Development phase Development of ideas selected in evaluation phase 15.30 Detailed analysis of TCQ time, cost, quality Life cycle costing 16.30 Tea break 16.50 Implementation of ideas and follow up plan 18.00 End of DAY 3 Day 4 Workshop phase 09.00 Reviewing the development of ideas 09.30 Action plan 10.00 Presenting importance of Value Engineering and its benefits 11.00 Presentation Recommendations to Management 11.30 Snacks and Goodbye 2.2 Workshop Phase The workshop commences by analyzing project understanding how client plans to own, generate and maintain the project and followed by issues analysis. Client Value system is then identified by considering values which are important to the client and performing paired comparison between the values as shown below. This helps identify which are the key values of the client. Stakeholder mapping (power to influence vs. interest) and Strategic Timeline are other tasks to be carried out. One of the main steps of the VM process is function analysis. Through function analysis project components are analyzed and compared to be able to achieve project objectives. The primary function and secondary functions are also identified. The primary function is essential for the achievement of stated objectives, whereas the secondary functions aid in providing the projects wants. Using FAST diagramming the functions of the system are identified. First functions are generated through brainstorming and then sorted such that the needs are at the topmost left and wants bottommost right. The functions are placed in such a way that we move to a lower level asking how? and move to a higher level asking why? Function analysis helps generate ideas that eventually result in recommendations.   The second phase of the workshop is Creativity phase. It is done by considering a function and contributing suggestions that answer the function through a list of creative ideas as well as identifying risks involved with them.  The team generates as many ideas as possible to provide the functions at a lower cost.  Judgment of the ideas is not permitted.  Most of the ideas are a result of the exercise done in the function analysis phase.  Ã‚  The next phase (evaluation) of the workshop involves screening ideas to more manageable numbers. The ideas and risks evaluated are graded on the basis of potential savings, time required to redesign and client acceptability. They are then ranked and the highest are selected by the team to be further reviewed by the members of the design team. During the development phase the ideas are converted into workable solutions after examining their technical feasibility and economic viability.  The risks that are assessed and weighted are also considered. They are entered into a risk register. The recommendations are prepared with a short brief to compare the original design with the suggested changes. At the end of the workshop a presentation is held to give recommendations and suggestions to the management. 2.3 Implementation Phase The implementation phase of the VM study includes submitting to the clients and the design team, the VM report containing recommendations developed during the workshop.  Ã‚  The design team may incorporate the recommendations suggested into their project design or reject them.  Along with the VM report a summary of the cost savings and redesign costs are also included.  The report may include KPI Key performance indicators, schedule of activities and a Risk register. 3. Value Engineering Value Engineering (VE) is the process of identifying and eliminating unnecessary cost during design and construction. VE studies should ideally be conducted at 35% design schematic design stage. While the early stages of design provide the most opportunities for affecting the value elements, it is advisable to consider VE at all stages of the project. Project constraints should be outlined prior to the VE, as it will help avoid making recommendations that are contrary to the clients design. The elements that are typically of interest during the VE study are (1) the basic structural elements positioning of columns and beams, optimizing loading effect on the foundation. (2) The architectural design, (3) Positioning of electrical and mechanical components such as lifts, escalators, HVAC systems,(4) the use of technology etc. The study team for the VE workshop may comprise of: 1 certified value specialist 1 project engineer 1 structural engineer 1 building service engineer 1 electrical engineer 1 mechanical engineer 1 quantity surveyor VE facilitator with a specific expertise in aspects of VE will lead the workshop in order to structure the process and to better the effectiveness of the program. The team members are selected depending on the subject to be evaluated, the structural engineer would look into the requirement of the elemental units of the structure such as columns and beams so that the structure is stable whereas the building service engineer analyses the services that will be installed once the structure is ready. The electrical and mechanical engineers analyze the installations of electrical equipment and machinery such as lifts, HVAC etc. The Project Engineer shall take part whenever design aspects of the project are reviewed. Supporting disciplines like quantity surveyor is involved to assess the quantities. The VE workshop provides improvement of value through the following: The current project design is assessed with the functions, checked for technical, cost optimization. Alternative ideas are evaluated to identify benefits and risks of changes to the alternative design. Key aspects of the design are evaluated so as to achieve Value for money; Effectiveness of each option is evaluated, in terms of : Cost to function ratio; Life cycle costing; OPEX vs. CAPEX balance; Analyzing buildability and overall performance of the project.

Operant condition Essay -- essays research papers

Several years ago, I was the marketing Manager for a new line of perfume, which had to be promoted, introduced to the consumer, and allow for succession in the market. By marketing the product the sales would either be high or low depending on the market responses. One way to ensure successfully marketing to the right consumers is through the use of Operant Conditioning. Operant Conditioning, also known as Instrumental learning is defined as a â€Å"learning process by which the consequences of an operant response affects the likelihood that the response will occur in the future†(Kozak, pg 22). Basically, Operant Conditioning is a stimulus response pattern that when reinforced will condition the individual response to a desired behavior. Our behaviors are altered to be desirable or undesirable through reinforcements, punishment and extinction. Overall, Operant conditioning is a voluntary response that precedes the stimulus and the reinforcement. According to Dr.Komisar Behavioral therapist at Long Island Jewish Hospital, says Operant Condition has been applied in many situations, such as teaching, clinical settings, and advertising, which have been proven successful in clinical trails. B.F Skinner and Edward Thorndike have developed two famous stream of research in this area. BF Skinner felt that the â€Å"term reinforcement was more desirable than the word reward†(Darcy, pg 215). â€Å"Reinforcement is any stimuli that strengthen the desired response† (Darcy, pg 223). For example, sometim...

Puente Hill Toyota Essay

Puente Hills Toyota (PHT) is a large Toyota dealership which is owned by the corporation Hitchcock Automotive Services. PHT is situated in city of industry, California, about 25 miles east of Los Angeles. PHT offers a wide variety of new and used cars (this is unique in the industry). Furthermore they offer Toyota incentives, service specials, and Toyota parts savings. The annual profits of PHT totaled about $1.8, with annual sales of $ 85 million. PHT had a total of 145 employees. The employees are very valuable to PHT due they are the ones who have to advise the customer, sell the vehicles and repair them. But it is hard to keep them al motivated. As said by Howard Hakes; â€Å"It’s people who give us our biggest successes as well as our biggest challenges†. The most important is to get all the employees in the same direction, to reach the companies goals. For PHT there are two important things, that both the manufacturers and the customers are happy. PHT is divided in five departments, who are reporting directly to the dealership manager, namely: a sales department, and service department, a body shop department, a parts department and a Finance and Insurance department. The departments are managed as profit centers. Within this profit centers there are different performance measurement and incentive systems. First the performance measures and incentive systems that apply to all the departments will be discussed. Than the Sales and Service department will be discussed separately. All the bonus plans within the sales department start from one. At PHT, most employees’ variable incentive pay increases linearly with performance, however performance is defined; that is, the higher the performance, the larger the bonuses that are paid.

The Health And Nutrition Status Of The Population - 959 Words

United States accesses the health and nutrition status of the population through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and national centers (CDS). However, for health concern of the US population CDS conduct the survey based on dietary intake of zinc. It held with the different population that includes infant, pregnant women, adolescent and adult who are non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic blacks, and Mexican Americans. The study shows mean of the non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black and Mexican American that. â€Å"zinc intakes were significantly higher in non-Hispanic whites than in non-Hispanic blacks (P 0.01) and Mexican Americans (P 0.01) for men and women aged 51–70 y and ≠¥71 y due to higher zinc supplement†¦show more content†¦The disclosure of zinc has symptoms like a flu fever, chill, sweating, headache weakness, and fatigue. The symptoms occur after a few hours of exposure. Smoke decreases the berthing capacity of lung cause the infection i n the lung. Zinc also acts as a neuromodulator (released by a neuron and transmitting information to other neurons) and bound with the ion channel, calcium channel and kainate channel which responsible for the neural surgery (plum, Rink, Haase, 2010). Zinc Toxicity has a different health impact on body organs. The study shows that lower exposure has extended the period of the chronic illness. Some long-term effects associated with excessive zinc intake. It includes â€Å"sideroblastic anemia, hypochromic microcytic anemia, leukopenia, lymphadenopathy, neutropenia, hypochromic microcytic anemia, and hypoferraemia† (Nriagu, 2007). These illnesses are cure with zinc supplements with or without copper. By inhalation of zinc powder and fumes can cause chronic respiratory syndromes. However, zinc is usually distributed in the brain, GI tract, Muscle, bone, liver, kidney, heart, sperm, uterus, and lung. The highest amount of zinc is present in the prostate. Entire blood has 5mg / L and less in plasma. â€Å"The biological half-life of zinc is about 280 days.† Distribution of the zinc is regulated by the age and the body tissue to some extent. The concentration of zinc amount is increase with age and decline zinc level at the age of 40-50 years inShow MoreRelatedEssay about Nutrition in Public Health 1165 Words   |  5 PagesNutrition in public health: Objectives: Ensure that students acquire specific knowledge for the analysis of food and nutrition problems in population groups. Identify the causal factors of the state of nutrition in communities. Be able to take part in the planning and programming for prevention and control activities within the field of nutrition in public health. Program: I. Concept of public health: Historical evolution. Population and food. Quality of life and socioeconomic developmentRead MoreThe Healthy People 2020 Objective Nutrition And Weight Status Essay1451 Words   |  6 PagesThe Healthy People 2020 objective Nutrition and Weight Status has a goal of improving the diet of Americans, thus improving their overall health. â€Å"Diet quality is critically important to the prevention of many types of chronic disease† (Wilson et al, 2015, p. 302.) According to Healthy People 2020 (2014), â€Å"a healthful diet helps Americans reduce their risks for many health conditions, including: overweight and obesity, malnutrition, iron-deficiency anemia, heart disease, high blood pressure, dyslipidemiaRead MoreMalnutrition : A Common Problem1480 Words   |  6 PagesNepal Nutrition Section, CHD, DoHS, MoHP. (2004,p.5 ). Malnutrition is a very common problem in children under five years of age in Nepal and is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality– accou nting for more than half of all child deaths. The process of stunting occurs between conception and two years of age, and is an irreversible process. Furthermore, the population of Nepal, especially women and children, are affected by major micronutrient deficiencies. Malnutrition increases theRead MoreObesity : Health And Physical Implications1100 Words   |  5 PagesObesity is linked to both health and physical implications. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, one third of the world’s population is now classified as obese. Exercise and nutrition education are key components to treating this growing issue, and are affected by societal factors. A person’s socio-economic status influences access to exercise or physical activity, what quality of nutrition is available, and connected directly to obesity. Physical Activity and ExerciseRead MoreElderly Senior Population779 Words   |  4 PagesIn 2014, Americans age 65 and older represented 14.5% of the total population in the United States. Between 2004 and 2014 the senior population grew by 10 million—constituting a 28% increase in the senior population, far surpassing the 6.2% growth in the population under the age of 65 (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2016). It is projected that one in every five Americans will be a senior in 2030 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013; Ortman, Velkoff Hogan, 2014). The comingRead MoreIndigenous Australians Experience A Much Lower Life Expectancy1326 Words   |  6 Pagespopulation’s health and wellbeing is their geographical location, in particular, looking at their access to health services and adequate nutrition. Access to Health Services/Facilities Access to health services and facilities is one of the largest influences on the health status of the ATSI population. Access to health services is concerned with allowing all individuals the opportunity to obtain and use appropriate heath care resources in order to improve and/or maintain their health. There is aRead MoreConcept Of Healthy Children : The Nutritional Status Of Children1650 Words   |  7 PagesConcept of Healthy Children: The nutritional status of children below five year age is commonly assessed using three indices: weight-for-height (wasting) which reflects acute growth disturbances, height-for-age (stunting) which reflects long-term growth faltering and weight-for-age (underweight) which is a composite indicator of both long and short term effects. Weights and heights of children are compared with the reference standards (NCHS/ CDC/WHO) and the prevalence of anthropometric deficitsRead MoreIncreasing Population Of Older People Essay1600 Words   |  7 Pagespattern of increasing population of older people. The population of people over 85 years of age in New Zealand account for 1% of the total population but is estimated to increase to 6% by 2050 (Statistics New Zealand.). This age group has an average yearly per capita expenditure of $13,640 for women and $12,144 for men. This advanced age population will have a large effect on public spending, workforce development, and health care services (Min istry of Health, 2002). This aged population has the most moneyRead MoreNutrition And Pregnancy : Nutrition1501 Words   |  7 Pages Chapter - 5 Maternal Nutrition in Pregnancy Nutrition and pregnancy refers to the nutrient intake, and dietary planning that is undertaken before, during and after pregnancy. The conception and the subsequent weeks afterwards is the time when it is at its most vulnerable, as it is the time when the organs and systems develop within. The enegy used to create these systems comes from the energy and nutrients in the mother’s circulation, and around the lining of the womb, such is the reason whyRead MoreThe Role Of Diet And Weight In Reoccurrence Of Cancer788 Words   |  4 Pageslong-term survivors of cancers. The survivors completed a written screening and two 45-60 minute telephone interviews that covered their current health status, to include, diet, weight, smoking, and drinking habits. The results showed that the rural and urban populations diets were different because of educational levels, food availability and socioeconomic status. The largest proportion of the variation in dietary intake among rural survivors wa s a high sweets and starches pattern compared with a high