Enhancing value engineering process by incorporating inventive problem-solving techniques

The creativity phase is critical to the success of a value engineering exercise, in which the brainstorming technique is deployed to generate ideas. One shortcoming of the brainstorming technique is its lack of direction in problem solving, and consequently the efficiency is low in generating innovative and useful ideas. To overcome this shortcoming, this paper has explored the possibility of incorporating the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) into the workshop session of the value engineering exercise by initiating three new procedures in this session: (1) an initial design procedure to examine the functions of a proposed project; (2) a function trimming procedure to fully utilize existing resources and ensure low life-cycle cost and sustainability of the proposed project; and (3) an interaction analysis procedure to assess the proposed project in a broad perspective with social, economic, and environmental awareness. A case study has indicated the workability of the modified workshop procedures and the usefulness of TRIZ tools and techniques in efficiently and effectively creating innovative ideas.