Mission Statement
- Rigorous VE methodology is not often used in cost reduction workshops.
- Ideas generated during workshops are mostly well known cost reduction measures.
- VE method is perceived as time consuming.
- Tasks required to prepare and conduct VE workshops are repetitive and must be automated.
As cost management specialists, we have participated in or conducted several cost reduction workshops, mainly in the telecommunications and electronics industries. Although significant product cost reduction can be achieved through a focused team effort of brainstorming, idea sorting and evaluating, we find that the workshop performance could be improved if VE teams were to use a rigorous VE methodology. Ideas that are generated are mostly well known cost reduction measures with little, if any, innovation.