Leung M.Y. (2005) An interactive VM seminar -a key VM technique: function and identification. Surveyor Times, H.K.: HKIS, 14(2), 33-34.

Key VM Technique: Function and Identification

Value Management (VM) has been used since 1947 in America and was very widely used in Europe, Australia, Japan and China. Hong Kong government set up an inter-departmental steering committee in 1997 and recommended governmental departments to conduct VM studies for construction projects with estimated cost over $100 million (WBTC 16/1998). As construction professionals, we should not only acquire technical knowledge for the design and cost management but must also develop various management skills for setting the primary goals. VM emphasizes both function and cost in the systematic team discussion process. To enhance the professionalism of the construction professionals, a project entitled “Enhancement of Construction Value Management Professionalism for the New Generation” is funded by the Construction, Business Industrial Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme. On 2nd December 2004, a 2-hour VM mini-workshop was organized by the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors and the City University of Hong Kong at the Surveyors Learning Centre of The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors in Central.

The 2-hour mini-workshop entitled “A Key VM Technique: Function Identification” was facilitated by our honorable guest speakers: Mr. David Yau, Assistant General Manager of Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd.; and Mr. Tony Wu, Senior Engineer, Transport Department. Forty construction professionals including architects, structural engineers, surveyors, managers, etc. joined the interactive mini-workshop that focused on the Function Identification of VM study. They directly experienced the VM technique by the participation of VM process. Seven groups were formed for team discussion during the mini-workshop.

Photos 1 and 2 Team Discussion in VM Mini-workshop

After the introduction of Function Identification (verb-noun phase) and Function Hierarchy (how-why logic), each team had to pick up a particular topic and construct their own satisfactory Function Hierarchy among their team members.

1. Reduce pollution
2. Buy a car
3. Purchase flat
4. Gain qualification
5. Organize a Christmas party
6. Re-develop Hung Wan Peninsula
7. Invest Property

With the facilitation of Mr. David Yau and Mr. Tony Wu, each team presented their own Function Hierarchy by using the verb-noun phase and the how-why logic which were learned in the first stage of the mini-workshop.

It was really an interesting discussion. One of the team originally prepared to organize a Christmas party for their staff. Finally, via the VM study, they found out that their fundamental mission for the organization of Christmas party for earning the money. It will totally affect the planning, organizing and controlling the Christmas party in the next step.

Figure 1 A Function Hierarchy for the Organization of Christmas Party

The Seminar successfully addressed the Key Function: Function Identification for construction professionals. Most of participants highly satisfied such interactive mini-workshop (mean = 5.17; SD = 0.95) and proud of themselves in completing a successful Function Hierarchy. Over 10 participants indicated that they were interesting in the VM knowledge and would like to have further study in this particular topic in the future.

In 2004, we successfully held three VM seminars and one formal ‘VM module I’ workshop in Hong Kong. At present, we are planning to arrange a formal ‘VM module I’ workshop in May 2005 and an international VM conference in June 2005. Details will be announced January /February 2005. All are welcome to join with us into the wonderful Value world.

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    Events Achieved:

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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