User:Mike Uptimise/sandbox

User:Mike Uptimise/sandbox

The tyre developed for the Lunar Rover is an example of Value Engineering to optimise a solution against well-defined design criteria

Value engineering (VE) is the science of systematically analysing the functions of various components and materials, to optimise the various inherent costs - with the goal of achieving the best value outcome for goods, products and services. VE levers logic, data, and experience, to create value through improvement, and eliminate waste and excess. It is a primary tenet of Value Engineering that basic functions are preserved and never reduced as a consequence of pursuing value improvements.[1] Functionality and intent must be at least maintained, and preferably improved - with assurance at each step of the process confirming that these aspects are never compromised as part of the VE solution.

Cost cutting can lead to compromises in functionality or intent, as with the exterior cladding that accelerated the Grenfell Tower fire in London.[3][4] Note - "Cost cutting" is not Value engineering. Cost cutting's goal is solely to reduce cost, with less regard for the impacts upon functionality, design intent, or overall value. As it is not an integrated solution, Cost Cutting outcomes are often less considered than VE solutions and are rarely sustained.

Value engineering will reduce these costs to the point aligning as the minimum viable product and must not compromise below this level. A company will typically match the cost of components to satisfy the product's lifecycle projection - though marketers must commercially align this with this customer expectation, or risk product and company reputation.

By way of example, there is no functional benefit in the extra expense of using Stainless steel belts to ensure their infinite life within a radial tyre, as the tyre is discarded due to rubber wear long before the longevity of steel belts is an issue. (Value engineering see's Nylon or other composite belts compliment the use of Carbon steel belts in many modern tyres). In contrast, the Highly specialised requirements for the tyres developed for the Moon Rover vehicles used zinc-coated piano wire, albeit with Titanium treads, to satisfy the extreme design criteria for that application - though this design would be both cost-prohibitive and ineffective in regular applications.

Delivered properly, Value engineering reduces the (monetary, risk or social) cost, to maximise effectiveness and accessibility of a design. The criticality of accurately defining the design criteria can't be over emphasised, as errors there are easily mistaken as poor Value Engineering outcomes.