Value engineering (VE) is the process whereby construction team members provide options to reduce their price and the cost to the client. VE options can be proposed by anyone on the project team. This can include the client, the contractor, subcontractors and vendors, the AE consultant, operations staff and more. VE options can be material substitutions, means and methods changes and even design modifications. The latter can ruffle some feathers as it can be interpreted as a challenge or an attempt to undercut the AE consultant if not proposed right or if the consultant is in CYA mode. The AE consultant can suggest VE options like alternative means and methods. This can also ruffle a few feathers as this can be interpreted as a challenge to the construction team's plan and price. The best VE occurs when everyone works and collaborates within their role on the team to deliver the best project possible. Sometimes this requires bit of mutual sacrifice to help everyone win while building a better project.
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