(Please click on the course title to get course details and application form in a PDF file.) 

Value Engineering for Construction, Module I, 40 hour 5 day course

The objective of this training workshop is to acquaint participants with the methodology of VM and its decision-making process. It also familiarizes participants with federal statutes and procedures, which provide standards for VM and VE applications.  VM methodology has been developed over 40 years to assist management and engineering professionals to obtain optimum value for each dollar spent.  Typical savings range from 5 to 15% for most projects.  This Module I course teaches VM in a hands-on, project-based manner.  During the workshop managers, architects and engineers will engage in “real-time” decision-making using VM tools and computer technology developed by Dr. Kirk to ensure quality and value while reducing the cost of projects.  Participants will apply the VM methodology and decision-making skills to an actual project to gain practical experience using what they are learning.  This will demonstrate the effectiveness of the VM techniques in enhancing value while reducing costs.

Value Engineering, Module II, 24 hour 3 day course

The objective of this seminar is to train people who can lead value management workshops.  Therefore, most of the course deals with leadership skills to ensure group effectiveness during VM studies, positive dynamics within VM teams and the effective use of information.  In addition, participants in Module II explore ways to improve cohesiveness, creativity and communication skills within VM teams.  The course also broadens and re-enforces each participant’s understanding of VM job plans, function analysis, FAST diagramming and function models such as LCC, cost, environmental, space, energy and risk.  Because leaders make key decisions about projects, Module II covers topics related to the overall performance of VM studies: project team selection, creativity processes, financial evaluation and interpersonal leadership skills.  Actual case studies stemming from government and private industry will be used as examples of quality VM work in product development, construction and the delivery of services. Dr. Kirk will review the challenging task of administering VM programs to meet federal, state and municipal statutes and regulations.  During the workshop, information about SAVE membership and certification is distributed and discussed.

Life Cycle Costing Seminar, 3 day course

Budget pressures, worldwide business competition and the relentless need to improve productivity in the public and private sectors have increased the strain on people who make significant, high-risk decisions about the cost and management of complex projects.  All too often choices are made solely on the basis of initial, up-front costs without ever considering the total costs of a project from beginning to end.

In this seminar participants learn to use a valuable, analytical tool to assess the real, long-term costs of projects. Because life cycle costing takes into account the significant costs associated with the project (e.g., energy usage, raw materials, cost of money and labor), the useful life and replacement costs of the equipment and materials and the salvage value of what is left at the end of the project, it takes a holistic view of projects and requires descriptive project data and reasonable cost estimates.  Participants will actually prepare the life cycle cost analyses of a complex construction project, public or private service activity and the production costs of a high volume product.

By the end of the seminar, attendees will be able to:

• Identify projects and study areas susceptible to LLC analyses.

• Assist decision-makers choose cost effective solutions to complex problems.

• Save 10 to 30% of estimated project costs.

• Use LCC techniques as a part of value engineering studies.

• Use a computer to calculate life cycle costs.

• Perform risk analyses using probability and sensitivity analyses.

• Prepare life cycle costs following ASTM and OMB Circular A-94 and A-131 procedures.

Project Budgeting & Concept Estimating, 3 day course

The most difficult estimating is determining a project’s budget. This course focuses on identifying key parameters associated with a project’s program of requirements and quality levels to establish a realistic project budget. Concept estimating is also discussed in order to monitor the early design to assure it will be within the budget established. Modeling, measuring and managing costs will be discussed for project managers. Cost estimating computer tools will be provided to participants.

Post Occupancy Evaluation, 3 day course

Post occupancy evaluation (POE) is the process of systematically evaluating the performance of facilities after they have been built and occupied for some time. POEs can focus on the performance of the architectural & engineering systems, the management process used to deliver the design & construction, as well as focus on the requirements of building occupants, including health, safety, security, functionality and efficiency, psychological comfort, aesthetic quality, and satisfaction.

“Lessons learned” refers to programs aimed at collecting, archiving, and sharing information about successes and failures in processes, products, and other building-related areas for the purpose of improving the quality and life cycle cost of future buildings, Ideally, the information gained through POEs is captured in lessons-learned programs and used in the planning, programming, and design processes for new facilities to build on successes and avoid repeating mistakes.

In this seminar participants learn the process of conducting a POE for buildings leading to lessons learned for future project applications. Evaluation methods currently in use are explained, Data collection & analysis techniques are then presented. Once “key issues” are identified from the data collected and analyzed, a study team is formed to evaluate the key issues and make recommendations.

Attendees will participate in an “Evaluation/ Recommendations Workshop” for a building project. Participants will study data collected, identify “key issues,” formulate lessons learned, and propose recommendations to improve the planning, and design of the current as well as future buildings.

By the end of the seminar, attendees will be able to:

• Identify study issues to be investigated using POE

• Utilize the methodology of POEs to gain “lessons learned” for future projects

• Know and use techniques for data collection and analysis

• Use a workshop approach to evaluate key issues and make recommendations

Environmental Sustainability/ LEED, 3 day course

The built environment has profound impact on the natural environment, economy, health and productivity. Breakthroughs in building science, technology and operations are now available to designers, builders and owners who want to build green and maximize both economic and environmental performance. The goal of this course is to assist participants in creating facilities that meet the needs of current building occupants while being mindful of the needs of future generations. (This is the definition of sustainability.)

In this seminar participants learn to use a valuable, analytical tool called LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to improve the sustainability of new facilities. This tool is used to both set objectives and to serve as a creativity tool in the design of buildings. Innovative solutions are then evaluated using the technique of life cycle costing (LCC) to assess the long term economic performance. Life cycle costing takes into account the significant costs associated with the project (e.g., energy usage, raw materials, cost of money and labor), the useful life and replacement costs of the equipment and materials and the salvage value of the project. This holistic view requires descriptive project data and reasonable cost estimates.  Participants will participate in a “LEED design charrette” for a building project and apply the principles of green design to explore ways to make it more sustainable. Team members will also analyze the ideas generated and prepare life cycle cost analyses.

By the end of the seminar/ workshop, attendees will be able to:

• Prepare a LEED model for a building project

• Explore green ideas for improved sustainability

• Perform life cycle cost analyses

• Assist decision-makers in the selection of sustainable and cost effective solutions

• Use a computer software program developed by Dr. Kirk to calculate the life cycle costs.

• Create green solutions that meet current needs while preserving resources for future generations.

Value Engineering for Manufacturing, Module I, 40 hour 5 day course

The objective of this training workshop is to acquaint participants with the methodology of VA/VE and its decision-making process. The VA/VE methodology has been used worldwide for over 50 years to assist management reduce product or service costs and add customer value.  In many VA/VE studies product and service savings range from 15 to 35%.

This Module I course teaches VA/VE in a hands-on, project-based manner.  During the workshop managers of manufacturing, finance, quality control, marketing and engineers (product and manufacturing, processes) will engage in “real-time” decision-making using VA/VE tools and computer technology developed by Dr. Kirk to ensure quality while achieving the economic value for their products and services.  Participants will apply the VA/VE methodology and decision-making skills to an actual product or service to gain practical experience using what they learn.  Workshop participants should expect to develop proposals ready for implementation on any projects approved for the workshop. This will demonstrate the effectiveness of the VA/VE techniques in enhancing product or service value while controlling costs.