LiVE approach: Lean integrated Value Engineering for construction industry

Increasing demand for the best value for client’s money necessitates waste reduction while enhancing the project functionality in construction industry. The purpose of this paper is to propose Lean integrated Value Engineering (LiVE) approach by establishing the synergy between Lean and Value Engineering (VE) concepts for construction industry.

A literature survey and in-depth un-structured interviews with six subject matter experts in three steps were used to investigate the synergy between Lean principles and VE job plan to develop LiVE approach for the construction industry. The gathered data were analysed using code-based content analysis and the LiVE approach was finally validated using interviews by two additional subject matter experts representing industry and academia.

Research findings established that there is a synergy between Lean principles and VE job plan. Accordingly, the study developed a LiVE approach, which specify client’s value, identify the value stream, make value flow without interruption, let the client pull functional requirements and pursue perfection during “value establishment”, “value analysis of functional requirements”, “value creativity”, “value evaluation”, “value development”, “value verification” and “value achievement” phases.

The novel LiVE approach will guide construction industry practitioners on how to integrate Lean concept with VE in order to reduce unnecessary costs and wastes, to enhance project functionality and ultimately to achieve value for client’s money.