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2004 Canadian Society of Value Analysis Conference

Value Solutions: A Path to Sustain Infrastructure

Value Engineering (VE) (also known as Value Analysis (VA)) is a systematic and function-based approach to improving the value of products, projects, or processes. VE uses a combination of creative and analytical techniques to identify alternative ways to achieve objectives. The use of Function Analysis differs Value Engineering from other problem solving approaches. In Function Analysis, an active verb and a measurable noun describe a function. As an example, a function of Road Talk is to "transfer technology".

MTO was a major sponsor of the annual Canadian Society of Value Analysis (CSVA) conference held in Toronto, October 25-26, 2004. MTO supports the CSVA's mission to promote the application of the value methodologies as well as the conference objective to encourage public sector use of value engineering and risk analysis on infrastructure projects. The conference demonstrated public and private sector approaches to value engineering and risk analysis in two areas; 1) project portfolio management, and 2) the planning, design and construction of infrastructure. Speakers from the Ontario, Quebec and Alberta governments, the Washington State Department of Transportation, the manufacturing industry, provincial agencies, municipalities and the consulting industry contributed to the conference.

The Honorable David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal (PIR), delivered a keynote address that highlighted the challenges governments face to meet infrastructure demands. Minister Caplan referenced PIR's new Infrastructure Planning Financing and Procurement Framework for Ontario's Public Sector. This framework was developed by PIR to guide all Ontario Ministries in choosing the best options for planning, financing and procuring public infrastructure. On this topic, the minister noted that, "Every investment must demonstrate value for money. This means that public infrastructure should be cost-effective and . should be completed on time and on budget." Value Solutions to meet various infrastructure challenges were presented in a number of themed tracks including the following:

Canadian Society of Value Analysis - 2004 Conference Index*

* More Value in Water (Panel discussions and presentations from London, Niagara, Halton, Waterloo, Durham, and Peel)

* Healthier Health Care Healthier Health Care (Red Deer Hospital case study, application of VA to health care)

* Buildings with Value (University of Guelph, Harbourfront, VE team performance with Uniform at)

* Reducing Project Risk (Uncertainty based estimating, incorporating risk into VE, project portfolio management). The track concluded with a lively panel discussion on risk analysis featuring experts from Canada, the United States, and Europe.

* Horizontal Integration (Restructuring government, performance measurement, using functional performance specification with stakeholders (utility companies).

* Constructability, Digging Value (Transportation VE studies, Construction Change Proposals)

The conference began and ended with series of training and information sessions. An introductory session was hosted by MTO and presented value methodologies to conference attendees.

Success stories from MTO and the Region of Halton were featured during this session. The post-conference learning sessions dealt with the following:

* Life cycle costing for building design and sustainability

* Horizontal integration using functional performance specification and

* Risk-based evaluation of transportation projects