Improving Creativity in the Value Engineering Process for Green Building Construction

Value engineering (VE) methodology is a strategic systematic process that can bring together a multidisciplinary team of construction professionals in a workshop effort to conduct function analysis of systems to provide the owner with the best value of a project or service. Creativity is central to the success of the VE process. It aids in finding different ways to fulfill the functions of systems and in developing alternatives that are then evaluated to select better options suitable for a project. However, VE team leader may find it challenging to guide the team through VE creativity phase to produce valuable outcomes especially when sustainability goal is a requirement. Thus, this research analyzed the conventional VE methodology and proposed neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) approach to improve the VE creativity phase relative to green building design and construction. Specifically, the research aim was to remodel the conventional VE creativity phase to improve green building construction outcomes. VE course students were the research subjects. The research design was such that the control group used conventional creativity method while the experimental group used NLP method where they received training on the method before using it in creativity. Both the control and experimental groups were examined using a case study building. The students prepared VE final reports using the two methods that were then evaluated by faculty sustainability experts who rated the contribution of each of the recommended systems to building sustainability. Data analysis employed SAS v.9.4. The hypothesis was that the alternative creativity method would provide better sustainability outcomes. The results showed NLP method to be better than the conventional method and could be a useful inclusion in the VE methodology to provide better green building outcomes.