This document supersedes all previous documents issued.
Effective January 2004
Approval Objectives
To create and maintain professional standards and improve the practice of the Value Methodology (VM) by identifying courses which meet the required education and training criteria.
To establish and maintain a professional recognition program encouraging practitioners in the Value Methodology field to improve professional education and training skills and competence in accordance with the standards.
To clarify methods and procedures in the application of the Value Methodology; to create a better understanding of the value profession; and to develop universal acceptance and increased application of value practices.
To establish and maintain ethical standards for workshops and seminars.
To encourage the development and application of the Value Methodology and provide examples of successful application of projects in industry and government.
General Considerations
The overall policies for the Certification Program are established by the SAVE International Board of Directors. The Certification Board has been empowered to establish the specific requirements and procedures for conducting the Certification Program. All questions regarding approval should be directed to the Certification Board Administrator. Workshop and seminar approval is for an individual. Specific education and training materials cannot be transferred or used to imply that an organization, association, or firm is approved. A college or university is approved to offer a for-credit course with a specific designated faculty member. The course travels with the professor. The course approval is issued to the individual designated as the prime instructor on the application. The prime instructor can either be a CVS or a faculty member at a college or university.
All information pertaining to an application will be considered proprietary and confidential.
Membership in the SAVE International is not mandatory. However, it is strongly encouraged.
Well organized and complete material is a positive factor in expeditious processing by the Certification Board and is a reflection of the level of professionalism the Certification Board is expected to judge. Unacceptable materials will be returned and not reviewed by the review committee.
Workshop and seminar approval fees are applied to the administrative processing of the application and are not refundable.
If the prime instructor is a CVS, he/she must retain active certified status to maintain the approval of the seminar or workshop. In addition, CVS affiliates (co-instructors submitted on the workshop application form) must also retain active certified status to teach the approved course. If the prime instructor is a professor, the seminar or workshop will lose its approved status if the professor leaves the teaching profession for private practice or does not teach the course for-credit as part of a college or university curriculum. A professor who transfers to a different college or university must inform the Workshops & Seminars Director in writing.
Individuals whose applications are disapproved by the Certification Board may request an appeal hearing to the Certification Board Chair.
The VM workshops & seminars shall be led by one person or a team of qualified instructors. Flexibility in the staffing and topics covered is allowed while insuring appropriate coverage of the required topics.
Guidelines
VM workshops & seminars must be coordinated by a prime instructor (CVS or faculty member) who is responsible for the content and quality of the training. The segments of the agenda, which are not conducted by affiliates, must be performed under the supervision of the responsible prime instructor.
NOTE: The prime instructor is accountable to the Certification Board for the conduct and performance of the workshop or seminar. The affiliates are accountable to the prime instructor.
Certificates - Certificates must be issued to signify successful completion of the approved workshop or seminar. As a minimum, the certificates must include the name of the participant, the course approval number with the date the certificate was issued, the seal(electronic seal is acceptable), signature and CVS number of the responsible prime instructor with that person's certification and expiration date . For academic courses, the SAVE certified board approved faculty member will sign the certificate.
Course - An approved workshop or seminar, as a minimum, must teach the topics and spend the required amount of time within the indicated areas. Teaching of each topic can be spread throughout the required hours and can include lecture, audiovisual presentations, supervised workshop on prepared examples, etc. The minimum hours need not be consecutive; however, the course shall not exceed 6 months. The prime instructor must directly supervise the workshop or seminar. Module I workshop time must be spent directly on live/actual, ongoing projects or approved case studies. This same provision applies to E-communication MOD I courses. It must include time devoted to fact-finding, function analysis, FAST diagramming, creativity, planning, proposal analysis/writing, and presentation and implementation strategies. The electronic education and live project involvement must be administered by the same prime instructor.
NOTE: Individual homework, study assignments or any other non-contact activities will not be considered towards the class time to meet the minimum schedule requirements for the 40-hour Module I Workshop or 24-hour Module II Seminar courses.
Optional/Administrative - This is time provided for education in additional topics, administrative time, breaks, etc. The requirement is that the time be spent with the participants meeting together, working, learning or interacting.
Instructors - It is mandatory that course applications contain the name and signature of the prime instructor (CVS or faculty member) and affiliate instructors responsible for teaching the workshop or seminar.
Length of Approval - Both the approved MOD I 40 hour Workshop and the MOD II 24-hour Seminar are approved for a four year period from the last day of the month of approval. Each course must be re-approved every four years.
The Certification Board welcomes comments and suggestions, which will help us further develop and enhance the value profession.
Course Schedules - Module I Workshop
Since the beginning of SAVE International, the need for consistent and quality education in the techniques of Value Methodology (VM) has been recognized. Indeed, the original Board of Directors included an education Director. Over the years the standards for this education have been developed and modified to keep abreast of the technology growth in VM and the needs of users, both in industry and government.
While specific topical areas and emphasis have been adjusted for current needs, the objectives and principles of the workshop have remained constant. The objective of the approved workshop (now called Module I with the advent of the advanced seminar, Module II) is to provide VM education to the degree that individuals will be able to successfully participate in future value studies with minimal additional training. The course is not expected to make "experts" of attendees but rather to provide the foundation for growth and development in the Value Engineering field. For those not choosing a VM career, successful completion of these workshops provides resources to organizations for future studies.
The workshops must be a stimulating experience using live projects or approved case studies that are meaningful to the attendees. This demonstrates the applicability of the VM process to actual situations. However, as opposed to actual studies, workshop projects should be selected principally for educational purposes rather than value improvement. The workshop is especially critical in the E-courses. The prime instructor, a Certified Value Specialist, or faculty member must teach those portions of the workshop that are unique to VM, such as function definition and function analysis (See the following course schedule).
The workshop must be an interactive experience and therefore any homework or assignments outside the classroom are not credited towards the minimum education time. The workshop application time is an important segment of the educational process and must be supervised by the prime instructor responsible for the workshop. Based on the experience of many Value Specialists, it was decided that it required a minimum of 20 hours lecture and discussion/education and equal application time to adequately train the attendees. All MOD I courses, including E-courses must have a real live workshop that is closely monitored by the CVS/professor with 20 hours on the live project as the minimum. Many courses exceed that length. In fact, Mr. Miles original value analysis courses at General Electric were three weeks long. Thus the forty hour length as a minimum is not mandatory, but can be exceeded. It was not chosen to reflect any particular organization's schedule, but based on educational needs.
Each applicant for an approved workshop must prepare and submit a syllabus to fully illustrate the topics covered within their own program and meet at least the minimal time requirements within the required major subjects. The syllabus must describe the material content and learning objectives for each element of the course requirement. It is not to be a restatement of the agenda. The manner of coverage and presentation of the material is left to the workshop presenters.
When evaluating applications for workshops and seminars, the Certification Board reviews organization and class content, and for Module I, the utilization of live projects. The live project has to be suitable for training and learning.
Module I-General Syllabus Outline
The general syllabus outline specifies topics and the minimum required subjects within topics to be covered in a SAVE International approved Module I seminar. Applicants are required to expand this general syllabus into a detailed one, including specific instructional objectives reflecting that expansion.
Objectives/material to be covered in Module I
History, Definition, Job Plan:
History of VM - To introduce the concept of Value Analysis, its origin, evolvement over time (Miles, Bytheway, etc), and application in public & private sectors. To be able to identify and distinguish the terms or "jargon" of VM (e.g. VA, VE, etc.), the meaning of Value and other VM terms (e.g. function, worth, etc), and to introduce the VM Standard. To describe the structural content and sequential nature of the VM Job Plan and to emphasize the need to rigorously follow the steps of the job plan to improve value for the live project or case.
Function, FAST, Function-cost:
The prime objective of this section is to teach the student function analysis. The students should be taught how to define functions with the action verb - measurable noun technique. The students should be taught the reasons for defining function, e.g. removing paradigms from their thinking and forming a basis for focused brainstorming. In addition, Function Analysis System Technique (FAST) Diagramming must be taught. The students should have an understanding of the how -why -when methodology in FAST diagram construction. The students should learn the different types of FAST Diagrams and the application of each. In addition, the students should be taught the elements of a FAST diagram, e.g., higher order functions, basic functions, secondary functions, scope lines, etc. Finally, the students should be taught how to transition from the FAST Diagram to the next phase of the Job Plan.
Creativity
The training objective is to ensure that participants understand the nature of creativity and the creative process. The instruction should include discussion of common creative traits. Discussion of the brainstorming rules, how to record ideas (not solutions or goals), and the use of idea numbering schemes is recommended. Discussion of creativity exercises that can stimulate creative ideas should also be addressed.
People Topics
The training objective is to ensure that as possible future facilitators, the class understands group behaviors and can assist team members to optimize group discussions and activities. Topics to address should include selection of team members based on the needed disciplines to match the VA Study. A thorough discussion of personality types is recommended. Instruction should focus on the aspects of the team dynamics such as what constitutes a "team", proper team size, participant behaviors during the workshop, and matching the participant expertise to match the VM Project needs. Discuss how to motivate a team, how to handle negative individual behaviors and how to facilitate a team to achieve optimal participation from all members. The proper use of intervention techniques should also be a topic for instruction.
Cost
Since much of what is being done in Value Engineering workshops relates to cost, it is important for the course material to set a proper stage for how the subject of "Costs" should be handled during routine Value Engineering studies. Some key principles to be understood at the end of the training workshop include:
Basis of Cost Analysis.
The Value Engineering practitioner will take his cues from the setting in which costs are being considered. As an example, for construction costs on an early/concept design, the costs will probably be order of magnitude, with the primary purpose of cost analysis being to give the participants an approximate idea of how an alternative will affect the eventual design and construction cost outcome. The cost analyses are expected to be more refined in studies being performed later in the design stages, when more is known about the details. Similar principles apply to other disciplines, such as in manufacturing process analysis.
What ever the live project is for the workshop, it is usually best to use that as a setting for cost instruction. In construction, key subjects would include labor, materials, equipment, overhead and profit, mark-up's on subcontractor costs, contingencies, etc. In manufacturing live projects, the key subjects might be raw materials, labor, materials, equipment time, learning curves, packaging, advertising, shipping, warehousing, etc. Due to the brevity of the cost portion of this training experience, the workshop will have to speak in cost "shorthand" in order to permit students to learn the basics.
Life Cycle Costing (LCC). It is critical for team leaders to become knowledgeable about life cycle costing. While VE team members may have little or no understanding of LCC, the team leader must know when it becomes a key consideration and must lead the way in performing the necessary, accurate analysis of the essential elements that will affect the outcome of the study. To this end, the subjects of LCC component costs (energy, maintenance, replacements, salvage, labor, etc.) should be introduced.
Time Value of Money. The subject of time value of money is should be introduced. Usually this is in the form of simple examples relating to bank loans, etc. While Internal Rates of Return, Break-Even Analyses, etc., may be introduced, it will only be in a fashion to promote an interest by the participants in learning more about the subject. Students should come away from this block of instruction having been introduced to the subject of Present Worth Cost Analysis.
Evaluation and Implementation
Evaluation. The training objective of the Evaluation Phase is to provide the participant with knowledge of the evaluation phase and the techniques available to evaluate the alternatives identified in the creativity phase. Steps in the evaluation process include, eliminate nonsense, group similar ideas, evaluate the ideas, and select the alternative(s) that offers the best value. The concept of determining the best value and the techniques used in the determination of that value will be taught. A variety of techniques should be touched upon to give the participant choices, based on the complexity of the decisions. Examples will be explained. The concept of having a positive attitude when searching for alternatives and possibilities should be taught at this time.
Implementation. The overall objectives of a Value Engineering workshop are not achieved until the recommendations are implemented. Barriers to implementation will be identified and approaches/techniques to overcome the barriers will be discussed. Development of an implementation plan that includes clearly defined actions (who and when) to accomplishing the plan will be taught. The concept of a "champion" for the recommendations should be promoted to help ensure implementation. The workshop results will be presented to those who can aid in the implementation and the workshop should teach the skills needed to develop the presentation and to present the material.
|
| |
TOTAL HOURS |
PRIME |
VMP/AVS |
OTHER |
| History, Definition, Job Plan |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
| Function, FAST, Function-Cost |
8 |
6 |
2 |
|
| Creativity |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
| People Topics |
2 |
1 |
|
1 |
| Cost |
1 |
|
|
1 |
| Evaluation & Implementation |
2 |
2 |
|
|
| Optional Topics and Administration |
2 |
|
|
2 |
| Live or Approved Case Study Project Time |
20 |
10 |
10 |
|
| Total |
40 |
22 |
14 |
4 |
Optional/Administrative - This is time provided for education in additional topics,
administrative time, breaks, etc. The requirement is that the time be spent with the participants meeting together, working, learning or interacting if the time is to be included as part of the optional/administrative 4 hours.
Submit to the Certification Board Administrator: A copy of the principal workbook or text in English must be included with the application. The original and four copies of each of the following: the application (WS 1), agenda (WS 2-MOD I) and syllabus (WS4), overhead or power point slides, lists of; films, videotapes, supplementary texts, other commercially available training aids being used. Also include sample copies of the certificates of completion that include the information required in Section II, Guidelines.
PLEASE NOTE: The comprehensive syllabus example provided in the application process section is for your guidance. Submit comparable levels of detail for any workshop submissions. Course material submitted should be neatly and logically prepared. The application worksheet and other worksheets (WS) are contained in Appendix A. Use a chronological approach in your agenda preparation and round hours to quarter hours. Add each row to the left and each column on every page with the grand total hours in each category on the final page. Check to make certain you meet the minimum course requirement in each category. Failure to meet minimum course requirements and to clearly demonstrate in that the course material meets those requirements will result in a rejection of the submission.
The workbook or text will be retained on file by the Workshops & Seminars Director. A complete set of the materials must be submitted. The Certification Board is not responsible for retaining materials submitted for review.
Module II - Advanced Seminar
Module II was conceived to extend the knowledge base of those wishing to apply the Value Methodology as a professional in the VM field. Module II was developed as the result of internal and external studies commissioned by the SAVE International Board of Directors as to what was needed to dramatically increase the acceptance of VM in industry and government. Value Managers had to increase their capability to work with and talk to top management in management terms. Education in leadership, program management, and management interaction was needed beyond the basic VM workshop areas critical to successful VM studies. The course content submitted must clearly illustrate that this objective will be met and that the submitted materials are not merely an extension/repeat of Module I workshop. Module II was developed and incorporated into Certification requirements in 1987.
The Certification Board expects Module II presenters to take maximum advantage of the variety of VM experience and backgrounds represented by the participants in their seminar. The syllabus supports the use of VM in various applications such as facilities and processes by the sharing of relevant experience. This is especially important in the area of financial evaluation and value management where knowledge of public and private sector, and type of industry can spell the success or failure of an individual VM study or program.
Since a knowledgeable dialogue between all participants best serves the Module II Seminar, each participant must bring at least six months of practitioner or program manager experience to the Module II Seminar.
The general syllabus outline specifies topics and the minimum required subjects within topics to be covered in SAVE International approved Module II seminars. Applicants are required to expand this general syllabus into a detailed one, including specific instructional objectives reflecting that expansion. The Certification Board expects the manner in which the material is presented to emphasize active participant interchange and comparisons of personal experiences.
Seminar leaders will facilitate discussion and have participants draw conclusions about what is appropriate to their own situations as well as understand how the Value Methodology works in environments with which they may not be familiar. Topics need not be taught in the order listed in this syllabus. For example, the SAVE International Certification Program portion may be taught near the end of the seminar rather than at the beginning. Additional subjects may be included within any topic area.
Overview and Administration - (1 hour) The objective is to introduce the seminar program and objectives and obtain a brief background of experiences of the participants and their respective objectives. The SAVE International Certification Program, including types of certification and educational program approvals and their requirements is presented. This time allotment includes necessary administrative tasks.
Project/Team Structure - (2 hours) The objective of this unit is to develop an understanding of the requirements for selecting appropriate project team members and projects for both educational programs and actual VM studies. The team member selection process and team leader roles should be developed. Selecting projects to meet both management and customer/user objectives is included. The training objective is to build on the participant's base of knowledge leading to optimizing team member's individual behaviors towards the goal of maximum team synergy. Instruction should also focus on increasing a participant's effectiveness in developing and presenting value improvement proposals and related selling of the ideas to management. Instruction should focus on techniques used to build high performance teams and related phases of team development. The roles of the VM facilitator, team members and team technical support resources should be covered. Discussion of the use of pre-event activities and the use of proper presentation skills should also be included.
Job Plans - (1 hour) The objective is to acquaint participants with variations of VM job plans and why they exist. As a result, participants should be able to develop a plan appropriate to their own set of needs.
Function Analysis and FAST Diagramming - (6 hours) The MOD 2 course should not duplicate the instruction given in MOD 1 but rather go beyond the basics. The students should share experiences in relating function discovery to ideation. There should be discussion around the various types of FAST Diagrams and the applicability to different types of projects. The students should share their experiences in identifying difficult functions, and perceived solutions. Some discussion should center on the facilitator's role, e.g., how to start a new team in constructing the FAST Diagram, engaging recalcitrant team members, and how the facilitator should withdraw when things are going well.
The objective is to develop a full understanding and appreciation of techniques of function definition, analysis and usage beyond the participants Module I experience and own practice. The rationale of function analysis and function modeling is explored. This includes advantages, disadvantages, typical uses and examples of each of the function models in general use; hierarchy, classical, technical and customer/user FAST. Advanced techniques such as dimensioning for time, quality, cost and other measures is included. Function Value Standards may be included. Interactive application is recommended.
Creativity Process - (2 hours) The objective is to acquaint participants with detailed creativity knowledge and idea stimulation techniques and to discuss intra-team dynamics. Topics to discuss might include creative problem solving concepts such as left and right brain thinking, synectics, and morphological analysis. A discussion of preparing for brainstorming should including free wheeling, hitchhiking and other techniques to stimulate new ideas.
Financial Evaluation - (4 hours) The objective is to develop an understanding of financial elements and how a VM change can have an impact. Construction, manufacturing and service operations in the private and public sectors are compared for similarities and differences.
Interpersonal Skills - (2 hours) The objective is to increase participant's effectiveness in developing and presenting value improvement proposals and in particular, selling success to management. Facilitation and team leader attributes should be included.
Optional Subjects - (2 hours) The objective is to explore current issues concerning VM applications and management.
Value Management - (4 hours) The objective is to explore the roles of management and VM including such areas as staff roles, teams, programs and projects so participants can develop a management plan tailored to their needs. The requirements in construction, manufacturing and services in both public and private sectors are explored. The future of value management, particularly on an international basis is discussed. Special consideration should be given to VM and its relationship to other improvement programs. Also, what are the key-elements necessary to give VM long-term life in an organization.
| Module II 24 Hour course Minimum Requirements |
| |
TOTAL HOURS |
PRIME |
OTHER |
|
| Overview & Administration |
1 |
1 |
|
|
| Project/Team Review |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
| Job Plans |
1 |
1 |
|
|
| Function Analysis & FAST |
6 |
6 |
|
|
| Creativity Process |
2 |
|
2 |
|
| Financial Evaluation |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
| Interpersonal Skills |
2 |
|
2 |
|
| Optional |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
| Value Management |
4 |
4 |
|
|
| Total |
24 |
15 |
9 |
|
Supporting Documentation Required For Module II Approval
SUBMIT:
A copy of the principal workbook or text in English must be included with the application. The original and four copies of each of the following: the application (WS 1), agenda (WS 2-MOD II) and syllabus (WS4), overhead or power point slides (Form WS4) lists of; films, videotapes, supplementary texts, lists of participating speakers along with their credentials, other commercially available training aids being used and a sample copy of the certificate. Also include sample copies of the certificates of completion that include the information required in Section II, Guidelines.
Form WS1 (PDF Format - 14 KB)
Form WS2 (PDF Format - 22 KB)
Form WS3 (PDF Format - 18 KB)
Form WS4 (PDF Format - 9 KB)
Courses will be subject to audit by the Certification Board for performance to check compliance with the terms of approval. Upon request, a list of attendees (with mailing addresses), locations and dates from each course will be submitted to the Workshops & Seminars Director by the prime instructor. A random audit may be made at the discretion of the Certification Board with adequate prior notice to the instructor. Audits may be made either by workshop or seminar observation by a Certification Board Member or by mail survey to attendees. Audit results will be sent to the Certification Board. Prime instructors will be notified of audit results. Completed audits will be recorded and reported. Unsuccessful audits will be given 90 days to be corrected or they will lose their approval.
AUDIT POLICY
It is the policy of the Certification Board to conduct audits to assure professional quality of the VM workshop - seminar presentations.
AUDIT PROCEDURES
- The Certification Board has the responsibility and discretion for conducting audits to monitor VM professionalism.
- Notification: A minimum of 30 days in advance.
- Conducted by:
First Choice - Current Board Member
Second Choice - Past Board Member
Third Choice - Fellow/CVS - currently active in VM
- Public Seminar - Workshops can be audited upon notification to the prime CVS.
- Private Seminar - Workshops must have approval of the prime CVS and the client organization.
- Copy of all materials must be submitted to auditor at least one week in advance.
- Audit may consist of total course or selected portions.
- Audit will consist, at a minimum; validation of all submitted materials required for all approval and presentation.
- The auditor may, with discretion, request additional materials from the prime CVS. The agenda and syllabus from the submittal shall be used as the auditors' format.
- The course attendees shall complete the evaluation form shown as exhibit A and send to the Certification Board Administrator. The evaluation shall be returned within 5 days. (I have a hard time with attendee evaluation being part of a professional audit - my experience with evaluations is that they are pretty non-committal [but should still be filled out] for any workshop/training. Will the attendees be advised that their input will be used in the audit? Does it add valuable information for the auditor?)
- Auditor shall submit their evaluation to the Certification Board within 30 days.
- Certification Board will issue its audit results and recommendations within 20 days after receipt of audit report and attendees evaluation.
- Auditor may use workshop evaluation forms to evaluate the presentation.
- The certification board auditor shall be reimbursed by the certification board account for all direct personal expenses incurred as a result of the audit requested by the Certification Board. This includes but is not limited to: transportation, food, lodging and phone calls.
- Auditor shall not be reimbursed for time except with written permission by the Certification Board in advance.
- Primary purpose of the audit is to maintain a high standard of professionalism in our customer product.
SAVE International - Certification Board
STUDENT SEMINAR EVALUATION ? Please use ink pen if possible
Course-Workshop Title
INSTRUCTOR______________________________________DATE_____________
1. The program provided useful tools and Comments to scale ratings:
Knowledge.
Low High
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2. The program was well organized.
Low High
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
3. The instructor was well prepared.
Low High
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
4. The instructor used the time well.
Low High
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
5. The instructor's delivery was effective.
Low High
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
6. The written material helped me understand the oral
presentations.
Low High
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
7. The instructor demonstrated a thorough knowledge
and understanding of the topic.
Low High
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
8. The instructor effectively responded to participants' questions
and concerns.
Low High
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
9. What did you find most/least helpful about this program?
Most Least
10. Would you recommend this program to a colleague? Why or why not?
___________________________________________________________________
Optional:
Name___________________________________________________Ph#________
Please continue on backside
