APPLICATION

Although indoctrination workshops are usually conducted with existing hardware or systems, the greatest opportunity for savings is in the prevention of unnecessary cost. The function techniques apply, but modifications are required that depend on the user 's understanding and ingenuity in applying them to conceptual ideas. Systems, procedures, manufacturing methods , and tool design are some of the areas other than hardware where functional techniques have been used successfully. Figure 12.1 shows how the overall savings varies with time in the application of function analysis techniques from concept to hardware, system, plan, or any other type of project implementation.

Figure 12.1: Relationship of savings potential to time.

The figure also indicates that the cost to change increases and the net savings decreases as a project develops. Once a product or service is in production or use, the cost of tools, hardware, forms, and time necessary to achieve the product stated at any given time cannot be recovered.

In order to be effective, value control needs trained people working as a team. A team needs a coach who, in this case, is the value manager. The team provides the technical expertise necessary, and the value manager provides the know-how to apply this knowledge for effective results. Value control also requires management to provide the necessary support and a creative environment. In short, success is up to everyone in an organization. People must be trained; they must understand the system; they must understand the application; they must be aware of cost and how to handle it, and management must support their activity by active participation.

Success means change: change in methods, change in procedures, change in attitudes. With this approach, value control will become an effective profit maker.