Basic Introduction
Available: On-site sponsored only
The purpose of this introduction seminar is to give people an overview of
decision-making techniques and the application and benefits of decision-making using the Value Method process. The typical course itinerary
is completed in 1-2-hours and includes: limitations that make good decisions difficult, decision-making processes,
the development of the Value Method as a decision process, the meaning and importance of value and using a value-basis in decisions, brief
review of the Value Method job plan and its techniques, identifying high return activities through the selection phase of the job plan,
affect of timing of application, and industry examples of use Customer password version of a web version of this textbook is available
on-line. (You may want to see
our new one hour on-line presentation for manufacturing executives and management introduction. We can give this presentation remotely
if desired.)
Fundamentals
Introduction and/or Refresher
Available: On-site sponsored and online
This
introduction seminar introduces people to the application
and benefits of decision-making using the Value Method process
and gives people some of the basic concepts and tools for
applying it. The typical course itinerary is completed in
1-day and includes: limitations that make
good decisions difficult, decision-making processes, the
development of the Value Method as a decision process, the
meaning and importance of value and using a value-basis
in decisions, review of the Value Method job plan, identifying
high return activities through the selection phase of the
job plan, affect of timing of application, application of
crucial intermediate steps in the phases, and industry examples
of use. This class is often used by people who have taking
previous training but would like to refresh their memories.
Understanding
and Using the Fundamentals
Available: On-site sponsored, online
This course gives people the fundamentals necessary to apply the Value Method
process in their work and personal lives and demonstrates some of the benefits of applying it to make their decisions. The typical course
itinerary is completed in 3-days. However, a two day version is also available. The itinerary includes: limitations
that make good decisions difficult, decision-making processes, the development of the Value Method as a decision process, the meaning and
importance of value and using a value-basis in decisions, review and application of the Value Method job plan, identifying high return
activities through the selection phase of the job plan, value study team composition, generating high-performing team results, affect of
timing of application, application of each intermediate step in the phases, application exercises, and industry examples of use.
Fundamentals
and Use "Workshop" Fundamentals Course
Available: On-site sponsored, physical only, online
and physical combination
This course is essentially extremely similar in material presentation to the
24-hour "Understanding and Using the Fundamentals" course. The minimum recommeded course duration is 5-days.
Longer versions are available. The itinerary includes: limitations that make good decisions difficult, decision-making processes, the
development of the Value Method as a decision process, the meaning and importance of value and using a value-basis in decisions, human
behavior, review and application of the Value Method job plan, identifying high return activities through the selection phase of the job
plan, value study team composition, generating high-performing team results, affect of timing of application, application of each intermediate
step in the phases, application exercises, and industry examples of use. Due to the "live project' requirement, one out of each five
of the class participants must submit an activity or project that fits the definitions for a "live project. Projects must be submitted
before the class and the organization involve must agree to provide staff and materials necessary to support the value study activity.
People attending the course will have all the fundamentals necessary to apply the Value Method process in their work and personal lives
to make decisions. (Notes-- Some organizations combine a complex complete value study with this course. In such situations, course duration's
of 10-days are common. In all cases, where English is not the native language of the class participants, due to the amount of material
present, a course duration of 10-days minimum is advised.)
Module
II "Program/Team Leader" Course
No longer available
Value Study Team Leader/Facilitator
Available: physical, on-site sponsored
This course prepares the student to become a value study team leader (VSTL) and facilitator in
value studies. The course meets the value study team leader course requirements of several Federal agencies. The minimum course duration
is 2-days. However, the 3-day versions is preferred and hold the most credits. The itinerary includes the techniques of:
identifying potentially high return activities, selecting optimum value study team composition, how to generate high-performing team results,
how to help teams overcome the human limitations that make good decisions difficult, preparation and organizing hints and procedures, dealing
with difficult issues and team members, human behavior, and value study tools and templates. People attending the course will obtain the
basic fundamentals necessary to lead a value study team in applying the Value Method process to a complex task. Each course participant
receives a package that includes Value Method templates, books, and other materials worth about $300. Before taking his course,
since the fundamentals of the Value Method are only lightly reviewed, students should have a good understanding of the Value Method and
its application before attending this course. Therefore, course participants should complete a fundamentals type course prior to taking
this course.
Establishing
an Efficient and Effective Value Program
Available: physical, on-site sponsored
This
course reviews the various techniques to establish a Value
Program within an organization that achieves the Value Method
objectives. The typical course itinerary is completed in
six hours and includes: common types of
programs and the points for and against each type, the importance
the executive champion, integrating the Value Method as
a decision process in the organization, the importance of
organizational structure mirroring, selecting a program
manager to oversee the operations, techniques to generate
the technical performance expertise within the organization,
hiring consultants and measuring their effectiveness, and
keeping the executive champion informed.
Operating
an Efficient and Effective Value Program
Available: physical, on-site sponsored
This
course is intended for the people (Value Program Managers
and Coordinators) who operate, or will operate, an active
program. While the course material can be applied to other
types of programs, it is focused on programs established
to operate and monitor Value Method use. It reviews the
various techniques to obtain the objectives of a typical
Value Program within an organization. The typical course
itinerary is completed in 2-days and includes:
techniques to integrate the Value Method as a decision process
in the organization, the importance of maintaining the mirror
of the organizational structure, selecting program coordinators
to coordinate and monitor the program's operations, identifying
projects that have high potential for return though some
form of value study, selecting value study participants,
generating acceptance and business for the program, measuring
program performance, techniques to generate the technical
performance expertise within the organization, hiring consultants
and measuring their effectiveness, professional development
opportunities, techniques of overcoming program problems,
and the importance of keeping the executive champion informed.
Measuring
Value Method Success
Available: physical, on-site sponsored
The course reviews the various parameters that can be monitored to measure Value Program success and identify problems that may hinder it form achieving its intended objectives. The typical course
itinerary is completed in 2-days and includes: selecting data that has meaning, integrating data collection into the existing data collection stream and avoiding additional data collection cost, making sure the data is worth its cost, types
of measurement, meaning of various parameters, typical warning flags, brief review of the techniques that can be used to overcome problems, and measuring Value Method consultant effectiveness. The course is primarily intended for people who operate, or will
operate, an active program. While the course material can be applied by others and to other types of programs, it is focused on programs established to operate and monitor Value Method use.
Value
Study Tips and Techniques
Available: physical, on-site sponsored
Professionals
performing or leading value studies can add to the development
of their skills in this course. The course consists of professional
with extensive expertise in the Value Method field who reviews
various tips and techniques used to generate success in
their work. The course is in a "bull-session"
format so that everyone can learn for each other. The typical
course itinerary is completed in 3-days
and includes techniques and tips for: establishing criteria
and limits, functional analysis, function-logic diagramming
and the various methods to apply it, generating cost-worth
comparisons, and analysis procedures. In addition to these,
course participants add their own areas of concern for discussion
and development of potential solutions. As this is a professional
development course, it is highly recommended that prior
to taking this course, the student should have conducted
or led at least 10 value studies.
Understanding the Laws, Regulations, and Directives Related to the Value Method
Available: on-site sponsored only
Since
about 1950, private industry and their consultants have
been telling governments that use of the Value Method would
help them obtain improved efficiency, obtain higher quality
results, and reduce their costs. In 1976, the United States
Congress passed it first law regarding a limited mandatory
application of it in the Federal Government. In 1996, a
law requiring its use in all executive activities was passed.
The typical course itinerary is completed in 2-hours
and includes: the development of the various laws, regulations,
and directives; the basis for specifying value study use
as measurement parameter is specifying performance, the
specified intent and their present application, the potential
affect on Federal executives and managers, integrating mandates
into operations so as to use Value Method as a decision
process and meet the mandate requirements.
Contractor
and Contracting Officer Training
Obtaining
the Benefits From the VE Incentive Clause
Available: on-site sponsored, online, physical
The
Federal government, and many local governments, have had
a Value Engineering (VE) Incentive Clause in every non-service
contract over $100,000 for more than 30-years. This course
is primarily intended for Contracting Officers (CO's) and
Contracting Officer Technical Representatives (COTR's).
However, businesses planning to establish similar clauses
in their contracts can use the course to help them establish
their application. The typical course itinerary is completed
in 6-hours and includes: review of Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 48, 52.248, and other clauses;
the intent and purpose the VE Incentive Clause; the
resulting Value Engineering Change Proposal (VECP) and requirements
associated with it, ensuring the organization obtaining
the intended benefits behind the clauses; the relationship
between the VE Incentive Clause and the Value Method; review
and discussion of relevant legal decisions; costs, savings,
development and sharing relationships; and processing the
VECP. Course participants also receive a template package
containing forms that help them review VECP's.
Increasing Contractor Profits Using the VE Incentive Clause
Available: on-site sponsored, online, physical
The Federal government, and many local governments, have had a Value Engineering
(VE) Incentive Clause in every non-service contract over $100,000 for more than 30-years. It allows contractors to recommend changes in
their contract, provided the change generates a cost benefit, and shares the savings with the contractor recommending the change. While
contractors are usually fully informed of its presence, many never notice it enough to actually benefit from it. This course is primarily
intended for the contractor that wants to increase their profits though using the VE Incentive Clause. The typical course itinerary is
completed in 1-day, but two and three day courses covering more profit making procedures are often requested. The typical
course itinerary includes: review of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 48, 52.248, and other clauses; the intent and purpose the
VE Incentive Clause; the resulting Value Engineering Change Proposal (VECP) and requirements associated with it, how the received VECP
will be measured; how to keep the Contracting Officer and their representatives informed and pleased with the VECP, the relationship between
the VE Incentive Clause and the Value Method; how contractors can use the Value Method and other processes to generate VECP's that get
accepted promptly; and keeping development costs in check and verifiable so they can be reimbursed. Course participants also receive a
template package containing forms that help them develop and submit VECP's.
