Leung M.Y. (2004) A first step towards a professional VM qualification. In Surveyor Times, H.K.: HKIS, 13(5), 16.

A first step towards a professional VM qualification

In this present day, professional surveyors should not only acquire technical knowledge, they must also develop various management skills for setting the project goals. A number of formal documents (WTBC16/1998; Tang2001; WTBC35/2002) strongly recommend a wider adoption of VE techniques in order to achieve an excellence in the quality of construction products. However, qualified facilitators /co-facilitators are hard to come by in Hong Kong. To enhance the innovative management techniques in the construction industry, a 5-day Value Engineering (VE) training workshop is arranged between 28th June and 2nd July 2004 by the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors and the City University of Hong Kong, and funded by the Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme. This 5-Day workshop is certified by the SAVE International (International Society of American Value Engineers), and is required for Associate/Certified Value Specialist certification in USA and facilitator/co-facilitator in Hong Kong. An optional Certification Exam will be offered to those completing the course. Upon passing the exam, the participant will be awarded an "Associate Value Specialist" certification; the first major step to full VE Certification presented by SAVE International and recognized by the HKIVM for a qualified facilitator in Hong Kong in the approved list of the HK government.

The VE methodology has been used internationally for over 50 years to assist management, architects and engineering professionals to obtain optimum value for each dollar spent. Typical savings range from 10 to 20% for most projects. Professional surveyors are not only expected to understand the root definition of VE for team decision making from this project, but they should also be competent enough to become Value Specialists for facilitating/co-facilitating VE workshops for construction projects in Hong Kong and China. Construction professionals can then help save money of construction projects, and enhance the competitiveness in the overall construction society in HK. Therefore, VE knowledge is valuable to us as a professional surveyor in the industry.

A highly qualified facilitator, Mr. James Rains, is invited from USA to facilitate the coming 5-day workshop in Hong Kong. He equips with CVS, FSAVE, president of the Advanced Value Group, LLC, Life Member and ex-president of SAVE International, and has served as Chairperson of the General Motors Corporate Value Management Committee. Mr. Rains has facilitated over 600 teams in VE in all types of value projects and presented papers on VE topic globally. It is designed for people responsible for making decisions concerning facility, product, process or procedural activities in various construction activities and capacities. In the past, attendees have come from government departments, construction companies, consultants, developers, etc. Surveyors planning to become Associate/Certified Value Specialists internationally or qualified co-facilitator in the approved list of the HK government are required to attend.

Relevant web-sites:
SAVE International: http://www.value-eng.org/
HKIVM: http://www.hkivm.com.hk/introduction.htm

During the workshop, participants will apply the VE methodology and decision-making skills to an actual project to gain practical experience using what they learn. This workshop will demonstrate the effectiveness of the VE techniques with project-based manner in enhancing value while reducing costs.

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Seminar Workshop Conference Seminar 12   Novel VM Applications in Europe Seminar 11   VM Trends in the United States Seminar 10   Information Analysis for Complex Projects Seminar 9   Innovative Application of the VM for Large, Complex Projects Seminar 8   Innovative VM Techniques in Complex Projects Seminar 7   Successful VM applications in Australia Seminar 6   Enhancing Value in Facilities by VM - Attracting Investment in China (in Xian) Seminar 5   Enhancing Value in Facilities by VM - Attracting Investment in South China (in Beijing) Seminar 4   Extending Your VM Business in China (in Shenzhen) Seminar 3   Sustainability/ LEED & Life Cycle Costing -Their Role in Value-based Design Decision-making (VM) (in HK) Seminar 2   Is Value Engineering successfully internationally? (in HK) Seminar 1   How can the value Management work in the HK construction industry? (in HK) Workshop 8   Formal VM Training Workshops (modeules I and II) for Construction Workshop 7   Key VM phase: Evaluation Analysis Workshop 6   Key VM phase: Creativity Techniques Workshop 5   Key VM phase: Function Analysis Workshop 4   Value Management for Design & Construction methodology & Application Module I - Training workshop (in Beijing) Workshop 3   Value Management for Design & Construction methodology & Application Module I - Training workshop (in HK) Workshop 2   A Key VM Technique: Function Identification (in HK) Workshop 1   VE "CMethodology & Application Module I" CTraining workshop (in HK) International Conference 2   Value Engineering for Construction Projects (VECP05) (in Korea) International Conference 1   Why Re-Invent the Wheel? (in HK)

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