We are excited about the changes to the SAVE education and certification programs! Beginning January 1, the new Value Methodology Fundamentals 1A (VMF1A) and Value Methodology Fundamentals 1B (VMF1B) courses will have been adopted. The Value Methodology Associate (VMA) exam will be instituted by the end of this month and the Certified Value Specialist (CVS) exam will be implemented in the first quarter of 2025. Progress is being made on the new VMF2A and VMF2B courses and we hope to have those ready by the end of October 2025.

On May 14-15, 2025, SAVE will be hosting the U.S. Advocacy for Value (USAV) Symposium in Washington, DC. This event will be targeted on promoting the benefits of VM and advocating for its adoption within the U.S. federal government. As many of you are no doubt aware, there is a renewed interest by the incoming administration to ramp up efforts to improve the efficiency of government. VM is obviously a proven and effective tool to do this, not to mention it is already a requirement. The program will focus around outlining a “blueprint for value” and will look to leverage and showcase existing federal VM programs that have demonstrated their efficacy and educating other federal agencies concerning the development of VM programs.

Further, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has renewed SD-24, a document providing guidance to DoD components on the establishment and operation of VE Programs. Industry has expressed interest in this initiative, and we hope to have increased participation from the U.S. defense industry.

In September, SAVE International, in collaboration with the Indian Value Engineering Society (INVEST), will host the first Value Summit held outside North America. The 2025 Value Summit will be held September 15-16, 2025, at The LaLiT (an enterprise of Bharat Hotels Limited) in New Delhi, India with Benchmarking Industrial visits on September 17-18. Over 60 papers will be presented during the Summit and there will be awards for the best papers. Stay tuned for details on this historic event!

We hope that 2025 brings you great value and we look forward to seeing you all at this year’s upcoming events!

• Value Focus: How current policies and laws support the mission of efficient and effective stewardship of taxpayer resources.
• Value Management: Expectations for the adoption of value management programs government-wide and reporting successes to align with the current Administration’s goals.
• USACE Success: Insights into USACE’s value program and how their approach can help other agencies develop similar programs.
• Federal Engagement: Hear from other Federal agencies about embracing value through the A131 and A11 Circulars.
• Non-Infrastructure Applications: Learn about using VE/VM to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of various programs.

Stay tuned for more updates, including our awards invitation for delivering effective and efficient government programs. We'll celebrate with an awards reception during the Symposium.

Registration will open next week! Don’t forget, the Symposium will be a hybrid event if you can’t travel.  However, we’d love to see as many of you as possible in person. Looking forward to another outstanding event!

Wishing you all a wonderful and productive 2025!

The Value Methodology Fundamentals 1 (VMF1) education and training courses are completed and have been implemented. The updated Value Methodology Associate (VMA) exam is also complete and will launch at the end of January 2025. VMA candidates will be given the updated VMA exam; the old exam is no longer available.

Both the VMF courses and exams are based on the SAVE VM Guide and the final Core Competencies, which are available on the SAVE website. The SAVE website also includes information on the VMF1A eLearning and VMF1B instructor led courses.

The new Certified Value Specialist (CVS) application, renewal, and exam processes are scheduled for implementation in the first quarter of 2025. This includes transitioning the CVS exam to an online format and adding a live facilitation requirement to the exam.

The Certification Manual has been updated to reflect these changes and will be issued FINAL in early January. No new CVS applications or renewals will be accepted until the new processes are put in place late January.

SAVE will be sending updates and reminder emails, in addition to Value World articles, to keep everyone apprised of what is happening.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as the CAP moves forward.

The SAVE Consultant Directory is the best place to find Value Methodology (VM) consultants, instructors, value study team members, and support services. The Directory is searchable by company, contact name, location, business type, and services provided, and is designed and formatted as a PDF document for easy downloading and printing.

Individuals and companies can purchase a listing and/or advertisement to promote their services and distinguish themselves from their competitors:

• Company Listing = $250 USD (includes contact information, logo, 100-word description, and services provided)
• Half Page Advertisement = $350 USD
• Full Page Advertisement = $550 USD

To submit your listing, complete the online order form, including payment and digital artwork, by January 20, 2025.

The SAVE Consultant Directory serves as your business’ most economical advertising venue!

Please click on the button below, and complete and submit the survey by January 31:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SAVEIndustrialSectorSurvey

The survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. All responses will be treated confidentially unless your contact information is provided.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

To continue to grow in stature as a professional society, SAVE must select the best leaders and administrators from within its membership. Serving on the SAVE Board is a chance to help drive the decisions of our international society, and advance and promote the Value Methodology.

The opportunity to work with other leaders in SAVE allows you to be part of the decision-making process on the national level, driving the strategic goals of the society. This is an exciting time to join the leadership of SAVE and help us map our ambitious future!

Serving on the SAVE Board is a wonderful way to support a society you care about, but it can also be a powerful way to build your own skills and expertise. Those who serve on the SAVE Board have the opportunity to develop and grow as leaders, cultivate new skill sets and expand your network of peers, professionals and community thought leaders.

Help lead SAVE into the future by applying for one of the following open Board positions:

• Vice President / President Elect *
• Secretary-Treasurer
• Director (3 available) **

If you are interested in serving on the SAVE Board, please email the SAVE business office at info@value-eng.org to request an application. The application submission deadline is February 28, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET.

On behalf of the SAVE Nominating Committee and the entire membership, thank you for considering this opportunity to donate your time and talents to our profession!

*SAVE no longer requires the applicants for Vice President / President Elect to have served at least one full term on the Board.

** SAVE no longer designates a special area of interest for Directors being elected (i.e., conferences, education, membership, etc.); those designations are decided once the Directors are elected to the Board.

The SAVE Honors & Awards Committee has issued a call for nominations in the following categories:

• Projects, Programs, and Processes
• Individual Achievement and Service
• Chapter Accomplishments
• College of Fellows

The Committee encourages SAVE members to submit nominations that clearly show the benefits of the Value Methodology (VM), not only to the specific topic but to SAVE and its members.

The nomination submission deadline is June 16.

Each nomination must have a sponsor; self-nominations will not be accepted.

The nomination forms and SAVE H&A Program Recognition Manual are available on the Honors & Awards webpage of the SAVE website.

We look forward to receiving your nominations!

From a young age, Chuck displayed an unwavering commitment to family, his faith, the community, and the things that mattered most to him. After graduating with a bachelors and Master’s degree from Kansas State University, he began a successful career in Civil Engineering, but it was his role as a devoted husband and father that brought him the greatest joy.

Professionally, Chuck was known for his work ethic and loyalty. He was committed, brilliant, and intentional in all his pursuits. He set the standard for most things. Chuck was a licensed engineer in seven states, a member of six engineering organizations including SAVE International, Society of American Military Engineers, Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering, Kansas Rural Water Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, and American Public Works Association.

Click here to read the full obituary for Chuck.

The Forum was intended to inform government and private sector participants of the measures and results being achieved by several government ministries. The purpose was also to inspire the broader public service to identify means to optimize government spending, identify areas for value improvement, and reduce waste.

The opening speaker was the Minister of Finance, Mohammed Aljadaan, who reiterated the objective of optimizing government expenditures. He was very pleased with the results to date and emphasized that other ministries will be required to adopt Value Improvement strategies within their ministries. Senior officials from other ministries discussed the progress to date within their ministries and noted their savings and reduction of waste. They also commented that the processes to date have been effective, but more work needs to be done to be sustainable.

The speakers on the second day presented several Value Engineering project examples. SAVE participated in one of the moderated discussion topics and was invited to comment on the benefits of the recently signed MOU to assist EXPRO with Value Methodology (VM) training and guidance, how VM improves the quality of government expenditures and efficiency, how VM can be an integral part of government continuous improvement, and to share in the discussion forum with a Lean/Agile expert.

Key Themes and Objectives

·        Themed “AI and the Future of Value Engineering,” the 40th International Conference on Value Engineering in Bhubaneswar, India examined how AI can revolutionize VE. Delegates explored cutting-edge applications of VE and AI, paving the way for a future-oriented approach to problem-solving and efficiency.

·        With the theme “New Competencies on the Horizon,” the 2024 International Value Conference in Budapest, Hungary emphasized fostering innovation thinking, strengthening entrepreneurial competitiveness, and enhancing the global innovation ecosystem.

Event Highlights

·        INVEST 40th International Conference on VE

o   Inauguration and Keynotes: Marc Pauwels took part in the lighting of the inaugural lamp, transmitted greetings from SAVE International, and held a keynote on AI-driven innovation and efficiency in VE.

o   Cultural Integration: A celebration of India’s tribal heritage added a vibrant cultural dimension to the discussions.

o   Recognition: Awards celebrated groundbreaking AI applications in VE and the contributions of students and professionals.

·        SHVA 2024 International Value Conference

o   Opening Ceremony: Featured distinguished speakers from Hungary in addition to other countries.

o   Technical Insights: Marc Pauwels transmitted greetings from SAVE International and gave two presentations on AI and cost transparency.

o   Creative Touch: A song co-created with AI celebrated VE’s methodologies and energized the audience.

Shared Takeaways

·        AI as a Catalyst: Both conferences emphasized AI’s ability to revolutionize VE practices through enhanced decision-making, cost transparency, and innovative solutions.

·        Global Collaboration: The conferences reinforced international partnerships and united experts from over 15 countries.

·        Practical Applications: Actionable insights showcased VE’s versatility across industries and included sustainability and task management.

Cultural and Networking Highlights

From India’s mesmerizing tribal performances to Hungary’s VE song tribute on Saint Cecilia’s Day, these conferences beautifully merged tradition and technology, underscoring the creative evolution of VE.

Looking Ahead

As the global VE community advances, these conferences highlight a shared commitment to innovation and efficiency, driven by the transformative power of AI. Attendees departed inspired and equipped to reshape VE practices for a competitive and sustainable future.

Stay connected for the next wave of transformative ideas in VE!

Function Models Guide: Advanced Function Logic Techniques to Inspire Change
These advanced techniques are intended for use by seasoned value professionals to support the Function Analysis phase of the VM Job Plan but also may be utilized in other activities such as project management, quality assurance, and risk analysis. These advanced function models build upon the basics of Function Analysis and Function Analysis System Technique (FAST) diagramming. The intent of presenting these advanced models is to expand the ability of teams to understand and communicate functions to accomplish “Function Inspired Change”. This book was introduced at the SAVE International 2024 Value Summit and is now for purchase from Amazon.

In conjunction with this book, an on-line seminar “Advanced Function Models” is available from the MVF. Authors present content from their chapters of the book during a three-hour virtual orientation training event, with unlimited access for the student for six months after purchase. Three Professional Development Units (PDUs) will be awarded to those who take this self-paced on-linecourse.

Value Methods Theory
© 2024 by Lawrence D. Miles Value Foundation
Authors: Donald E. Parker, PE, CCE, CVS-Life, FSAVE & Sandra C. Affare, PhD, VMA, PMP, CPEM

The objective of this new textbook continues to be to introduce and demonstrate value methods, but to an undergraduate and graduate level audience who may have no experience with the Value Methodology (VM). University professors and instructors will use the text to present the methods and theory with class exercises to allow the students an opportunity to apply the techniques herein. Each student should have the opportunity to present a VM Study (individually or in a group) by the end of the course. This textbook is available from MVF at https://valuefoundation.teachable.com.

While this textbook is consistent with the SAVE International VM Guide, it is not intended to replace the Value Methodology Fundamentals (VMF) prerequisite courses required for certification credentials. Professional certification for Value Methodology is administered by SAVE International and through approved instructors by the SAVE International Certification Board. Visit the SAVE International website at www.value-eng.org for more information.

Join the Foundation by Contributing
The MVF relies primarily on your donations to support our projects and initiatives to achieve our mission “to promote and fund the development of educational programs, new applications, and a research library for the study of the Value Methodology (VM)”. Your donation to the MVF makes you a member and gives you an opportunity to help achieve our mission.

Annual membership gifts include:

• Patron member $1,000 or more
• Sustaining member $500
• Donor member $100
• Contributing member $50
• Individual member $25

Your donation to MVF, a 501.c.3 charitable organization, has some tax advantages per IRS regulations:

1. Your donation may be deductible when you itemize expenses on your IRS tax return as a charitable deduction (Schedule A).
2. You may make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly, by your IRA Trustee, from your IRA, 401k, 503b, etc. to the MVF. This direct donation does not count as ordinary income to you as a distribution from your retirement plan usually would, thus lowering your adjusted gross income (AGI). And this QCD will count towards your required minimum distribution (RMD) for those of you older than 72. However, the limit of the contribution (QCD) is $100,000 per person.
3. Another way to donate IRA assets is through an estate after the donor's death by naming the MVF as the designated beneficiary - or one of them - of the IRA. The MVF will receive whatever percentage of the assets the account owner states on the beneficiary form.

Please consult with your attorney or tax advisor to be sure you understand the tax issues with these donations for your individual situation.

For more information about the MVF, please visit our website www.valuefoundation.org or contact us via email at info@valuefoundation.org.