TITLE:
Perceived Benefits of Using Value Engineering on Road Projects in Ghana
AUTHORS:
James Cofie Danku, Philip Agyekum Antwi
KEYWORDS:
Optimum Value, Cost Control, Value Engineering, Road Projects, Ghana
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Engineering and Technology,
Vol.8 No.2,
May
18,
2020
ABSTRACT: The need for Optimum Value benefit realization on
Road Projects in developing countries has become topical. While the
traditional Cost Control project management process only aligns actual costs
with budgeted costs, Value Engineering (VE) is a sustainable and systematic
innovative methodology for establishing the best functional balance among
desired features of a project. A Value Engineering (VE) study was conducted
with the aim of examining the benefits associated with its use on Road Projects
in Ghana. This study employed a two-stage research procedure: desk study and
field research. The literature review identified the Optimum Value benefits
associated with VE road project management technique as increased Confidence
Level in Contract Compliance, reliable Implementation Level of Construction
Delivery and enhanced Effectiveness Level of Project Sustainability. A
quantitative survey research design based on a purposive sampling technique of
selecting respondents was adopted. Employing closed-ended questions, 40 sets of
questionnaires were issued to professionals in Road Infrastructure and Support
Agencies (RISA) under the Ministry of Roads and Highways (MRH) in the Eastern Region of Ghana. At a response
rate of 85%, descriptive statistical analysis (Means, Standard Deviations and
Variances) and inferential statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) test were
used to process the data and determine whether there was any significant
difference between VE benefit parameters and the groups of respondents. The
results revealed that road professionals are familiar with the VE process but
solely use Cost Control project management technique. Road professionals
recognized the high Optimum Value benefits of professionally ethical Contract
Compliance, efficient Construction Delivery and functionally viable Project
Sustainability on VE road project management process.