th
THE 8 INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ADVANCED TOPICS IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
May 23-25, 2013
Bucharest, Romania
Characteristics of Value Analysis Method in
Electrical Engineering
Cristina Mihaela Gheorghe1, Mircea Covrig1, Mihai Virgil Popescu2
1
University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, Romania
2
Electrical Machine Works Bucharest (UMEB), Romania
cristina.gheorghe@upb.ro, mircea.covrig@upb.ro, mihaivpopescu@yahoo.com
Abstract - The Value Analysis Method provides two ways of
improving a product or service: reducing the production cost
and improving the performance of the product/service by
identifying potential development directions.
In the present paper the authors describe the characteristics
of the functional analysis phase in the Value Analysis
methodology for the electrical engineering products area. Also,
they propose a new method for determining the importance level
of a product’s functions. The functions are divided into
categories corresponding to the type of energy transfer between
the product and the environment. This requires a double
ranking method: firstly rating the categories and secondly rating
the functions within each category. The method is recommended
complex products with multiple functions.
In order to validate the proposed method, the authors
carried out a research in Romania, on a sample of 88
respondents from the academic and industrial (electrical
engineering) field.
Keywords: Value Analysis Method, Functional Analysis,
Electrical Engineering, Induction Motors
I. INTRODUCTION
Outsourcing and relocation, as forms of globalization, are
both ways in which the organizations search to lower
production costs by keeping the functional performance of
products in the accepted standard limits. In these
circumstances, the methods of Value Analysis and
Engineering provide solutions to achieve these aims. In this
paper the authors used the Value Analysis Method because
the subject of this study is a serial electrotechnical product[4].
Since the standards that any product must meet actually
represent the manufacturer’s point of view on the client’s
requirements, the authors propose a way to take into account
the end-user opinions on the product.
The standard Value Analysis is a four-stage method: the
functional analysis phase, the technical analysis phase, the
economic analysis phase and the systemic analysis phase [7].
The authors developed the functional analysis phase for a
serial electrotechnical product. A new method for identifying
the product’s functions and for determining their level of
importance is proposed. This method is recommended for
complex products with multiple functions. A case study for
the manufacturing of flameproof electric motors of internal
production is provided.
978-1-4673-5980-1/13/$31.00 ©2013 IEEE
In order to validate the proposed method, the authors
carried out a research in Romania, on a sample of 88
respondents from the academic and industrial (electrical
engineering) field.
II. THE VALUE ANALYSIS METHOD APPLIED TO THE
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DOMAIN
The Value Analysis method was developed during the
Second World War in response to the need of using substitute
materials. This replacement sought either to lower products
costs, either to improve the product’s performance or both of
the above [4] [7] [14] [18] [20] [22].
The theoretical and empirical studies on the Value Analysis
method applied in engineering may be divided into three
categories: studies that investigate the concept of value,
studies focused on the functional analysis phase and works
focused on the applications of the Value Analysis method.
The studies examining the concept of value in engineering
take into consideration two perspectives on value [19]:
ƒ The value of the product - when the Value Analysis
method aims to improve products;
ƒ The intellectual value of engineers - when the Value
Analysis method is applied in the technical education in order
to teach students (the future engineers) how to think and how
to innovate.
The second category of studies puts into discussion the
concept of function. For instance, Lawrence D. Crum defines
function as a result of a product’s properties that are able to
satisfy a certain need [4]. He divides functions into basic
functions (or main functions), secondary functions (or
auxiliary functions) and unnecessary functions. Alphonse J.
Dell'Isola proposes 24 types of functions that should be
studied by engineers, while closely analyzing functions
specific to the construction domain [5].
The third category of papers presents the applications of the
Value Analysis method. A characteristics of these studies [1]
[3] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [15] [17] [21] is that the vast
majority of them offer results related to the construction or
mechanical engineering domain [2] [8].
This paper aims to bring its contribution to the researches
made in electrical engineering.
 III. THE FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS PHASE –
CHARACTERISTICS FOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
DOMAIN
The functional analysis phase, the central part of the Value
Analysis method, distinguishes it from other analysis
methods. Functional analysis is a two-stage phase [1] [4] [7]
[13] [16] [21]:
ƒ Setting the product’s functions that satisfy the targeted
social need, from the end-user’s perspective;
ƒ Calculating the importance (weight value) of each of the
product’s functions in the overall use-value of the product,
based on the level of importance of these functions.
For both of these stages the authors propose an adaptation
to the profile of electrotechnical products.
A. Setting up the Product’s Functions
The proper setting up and description of a product’s
functions represent the most important and also the most
difficult part. A new approach for establishing a product’s
functions in terms of relations with the external environment
is proposed (Fig 1). This approach is specific to the
engineering domain and follows the principle of the Value
Analysis to ensure look at a product from the end-user’s point
of view.
The relations between an electrotechnical product and its
external environment can be divided into four categories:
ƒ The connection with the external environment
describes the connection between the analyzed product with
its external environment; it is a two-way relationship
(reciprocal relationship) because, from the end-user point of
view, the connection conditions must be met not only by the
product but also the operation location of the product.
ƒ The functional parameters result from the requirement
that the product must meet the end user’s need; this type of
relationship is regulated by the product standards and is
unidirectional, the product construction being constrained by
the functional parameters.
Fig. 1. The relations types between a product and its external environment
ƒ The influence on the external environment is a one-
way relationship; it focuses on the ecological environmental
effects of the product and on the product’s effects on the user;
it also centers on minimizing pollution and on maximizing
user safety.
ƒ The influence of the external environment captures
the effects that the external environment may have on the
product: the environmental conditions (dust, humidity, water,
explosive atmosphere etc.); it also refers to the identifying
conditions that allow the user to easily select it (aesthetic
characteristics, maintenance and warranty services).
For each product relations category the corresponding
functions are set. Each category must have the same number
of functions, in order to correctly calculate the importance of
each of these functions.
B. The Calculation of the Weight Value of the Product’s F
unctions
The weight value of the considered product functions
represents the contribution of each function to achieving the
use value of the product, in terms of effectiveness. The
calculation of the weight value is based on determining the
importance level of the functions. Therefore a functions’
evaluation based on a questionnaire completed by a
representative sample of users and experts is required [1] [4]
[7] [13] [16] [21]. Because the questionnaire design is very
important, the authors propose the construction of a
questionnaire with three series of questions:
ƒ (1) Questions that require rating the functions within
each category by giving a mark, Pij ;
ƒ (2) Questions that require rating the categories by giving
a mark, PDi . This strict sequence of questions is recommended
because, by answering the first set of questions it is expected
that the respondents will better understand the categories’
characteristics and then will be able to prioritize them
correctly. It is important that the categories’ hierarchy does
not influence the functions’ rating within each category;
ƒ (3) Socio-demographic questions, which will show the
variation of different functions’ importance depending on
socio-demographic characteristics.
Specialized literature recommends using the “judgment
matrix” as a basis for determining the functions’ importance
level. The principle behind this technique consists of
comparing each function with all the other by comparing and
scoring the each function by each respondent [1] [7] [16]
[17]. In the case of complex products with multiple functions
this technique becomes slow, confuse and difficult to apply
by the uninformed end-users. Consequently, the authors
advance a new calculation of the importance level of a
product’s functions.
The following notations are added:
T – is the sample size (the number of respondents);
N – is the number of categories; each category has an equal
number of the functions, n;
m – is the number of all the product’s functions:
m = N ⋅ n. (1)
At the beginning, each respondent will prioritize the from the eleven Romanian companies and six Romanian
categories by giving a unique integer mark between [1; N] to universities.
each category in part; this mark is named P Di , i ∈ [1; N ] . TABLE I
The next step is rating the n functions within each category THE FLAMEPROOF ELECTRIC MOTOR’S FUNCTIONS
by giving a unique integer and non recurring mark between The
[1; n] to each function. This mark is named P ij , j ∈ [1; n], function The description of the function
label
i ∈ [1; N ] while the index ij is the identifier or the label of the The 1st category: The connection between the machine and the external
environment
function. The importance factor of the each category ( FDi ) is
F11 It provides conditions for the power supply connection with
calculated as follows: F12 It provides the mechanical coupling conditions
N
FDi = PDi / ∑ PDi . (2) F13 It provides the mechanical grip of the machine
i =1
F14 It provides the handling ways
The importance level of the ij function ( NI ( ij )k ) is calculated
F15 It provides the possibilities for transportation
for each respondent’s k , k ∈ [1; T ] , as the relation between the
F16 It provides the heat evacuation (to the outside)
mark P ij and the importance factor of each category ( FDi ), The 2nd category: The functional parameters
as follows: F21 It provides the starting torque
NI ( ij ) k = Pij ⋅ FDi . (3) F22 It limits the starting current
F23 It provides the rated torque
The importance level of the ij function ( NI ( ij ) ) is calculated F24 It provides the established minimum efficiency
for the whole sample as the arithmetic mean of the F25 It provides the full load power factor
importance levels of all the respondents in the sample: F26 It provides the maximum torque
⎛ T ⎞ (4)
NI = ⎜ NI
( ij ) ∑
⎟ /T .
⎝ k =1
( ij ) k
⎠
The 3rd category: The influence ON the external environment
F31 It provides the ground fault protection of the user
The weight value in the product use-value of each function ij,
F32 It provides the electrical protection of the user
( Rij ) is calculated as follows:
F33 It provides the mechanical protection of the user
NI ij NI ij (5) It provides the cooling / the extinction of any operation
Rij = m
= , F34
I sparks
∑ NI
q =1
( ij ) q
F35 It provides the noise level limited
where: F36 It provides the possibilities for recycling of used materials
q ∈ [1; m]. (6)
m
I = ∑ NI (ij ) q , The 4th category: The influence OF the external environment
q =1
F41 It provides waterproof /dustproof options
is the conventional measure of the product use-value
F42 It provides the extreme temperature operation
[7][16]. The greater the number of categories and functions,
F43 It provides the repair options
the greater the precision of the functions’ importance level.
F44 It provides the identification options
F45 It provides the aesthetic characteristics
IV. CASE STUDY
F46 It provides the warranty services
The validation of the developed methodology was
performed for a flameproof electric motor. The 24 functions
The weight value of the electric motor flameproof
of the flameproof electric motor, based on the relations
functions, based on the ranking made by each respondent and
discussed in Chapter 2, are established (Table 1).
using the methodology presented in Chapter 3, was
The authors carried out a research in Romania, on a sample
calculated. The resulting values are presented in Table 2.
of respondents from the academic and industrial (electrical
The research results show that:
engineering) field. The present research has been carried out
ƒ The functions of the “the functional parameters” category
by means of a survey with self-administered questionnaires.
have the highest levels of importance;
The questionnaires were sent by email to contact persons of
ƒ The functions of “the influence of the external
the representative companies and also were sent to the
environment” and “the connection between the machine
professors from the electrical engineering domain in the
and the external environment” categories have the lowest
Romania technical universities.
levels of importance;
The research was conducted during April-May 2011. The
ƒ There is an engineering bias to emphasis the product’s
sample was T = 88 valid responses, involving respondents
functionality and to disadvantage the management issues,
 the ecological environment effects or the aesthetic in functions’ assessment in the case of complex products with
characteristics; multiple functions.
ƒ There is a need to raise the awareness of electrical The value of this study consists in providing the possibility
engineering specialists about the products-environment of applying the Value Analysis method in electrical
relationship. engineering, where most of the products are complex. In these
TABLE II circumstances, reducing the production costs or improving the
THE HIERARCHY OF A FLAME-PROOF ELECTRICAL MOTOR’S FUNCTIONS technological issues, by pooling the technical constraints with
The consideration on user requirements, needs an overview on the
The
weight entire product, not only on the product’s components.
No function The description of the function
value
label
[%] REFERENCES
1 F21 It provides the starting torque 7.59
[1] Aldea, A S., Value Analysis. Design methods of the organization
2 F22 It limits the starting current 7.31 management system. Bucharest: AGIR, 2010. (only in Romanian)
3 F23 It provides the rated torque 7.01 [2] Chichernea, Fl. Chichernea, Al, “Redesigning a Jaw Crusher Using
Value Analysis”. The Annals Of “Dunarea de Jos” University of
It provides conditions for the power Galati, Fascicle IX, Metallurgy and Materials Science, No. 1, 2009.
4 F11 5.70
supply connection with [3] Chung, B.Y. Syadaruddin, S. Seok (David), J.H. Kwak, Y. H. “Applying
It provides the mechanical coupling Process Simulation Technique to Value Engineering Model: A Case
5 F12 5.37
conditions Study of Hospital Building Project”, IEEE Transactions on Engineering
It provides the electrical protection of Management.Vol.56 (3), pp. 549-559, 2009.
6 F32 5.01
the user [4] Crum.L.W, Value Engineering. Bucharest: Ed. Tehnică, 1976. (in
It provides the established minimum Romanian)
7 F24 5.00
efficiency (η) [5] Dell'Isola, Alphonse J., Value…for Design, Construction, Maintenance
It provides the ground fault protection of & Operation. R.S. Means Company, Inc., 1997.
8 F31 4.95 [6] Gheorghe, Cristina Mihaela, “Contributions on the cost and time
the user
It provides waterproof /dustproof reduction analysis necessary to the development of new solutions for
9 F41 4.71 the construction of induction motors”, The PhD Thesis, 2012. (available
options
It provides the cooling / the extinction of only in Romanian)
10 F34 4.60 [7] Ioniţă, Ion., Value Engineering. Bucharest: Ed. Economică (available
any operation sparks
only in Romanian), 2000.
11 F26 It provides the maximum torque 4.30 [8] Jauhar, Sunil, “Value Analysis in Galvanization Process: A Cost
It provides the extreme temperature Reduction approach”, Advances in Mechanical Engineering and its
12 F42 3.94
operation Applications (AMEA), Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 213, 2012.
It provides the heat evacuation (to the [9] Jing, Dong, “Determination of weight vector for the scheme optimization
13 F16 3.90
outside) of construction project using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process”,
It provides the mechanical protection of Conference on Management Science and Engineering, 13-15 sept 2011.
14 F33 3.82 [10] Johnson, Matthew, “Reconsidering Value Engineering: The Rhode
the user
It provides the mechanical grip of the Island School of Design Library Project”, Civil Engineering, Febr 2007.
15 F13 3.58 [11] Kwok, E.C.S. Anderson, P. M. Ng, S. H.S., “Value engineering for
machine
railway construction projects: cost driver analysis”, Journal of Rail and
16 F25 It provides the full load power factor 3.55
Rapid Transit, 224(1), pp. 45-52, 2010.
17 F14 It provides the handling ways 3.24 [12] Lee, M. J. Lim, J. K. Hunter, G. “Performance-based value engineering
18 F43 It provides the repair options 3.13 application to public highway construction”, KSCE Journal of Civil
Engineering, 14(3), pp. 261-271, 2010.
19 F44 It provides the identification options 2.95 [13] Mao, Xiaoming; Zhang, Xueqing. AbouRizk, Simaan M, “Enhancing
20 F35 It provides the noise level limited 2.47 Value Engineering Process by Incorporating Inventive Problem-Solving
Techniques”, Journal of Construction Engineering and Management,
21 F46 It provides the warranty services 2.35 pp.416-425, May 2009.
It provides the possibilities for [14] Mukhopadhyaya, Anil Kumar, Value engineering mastermind: from
22 F15 1.99 concept to value engineering certification. New Delhi: Response
transportation
It provides the possibilities for recycling Books, Sage Publications, 2009.
23 F36 1.92 [15] Nagasawa, Shinya,“Application of Fuzzy Theory to Value Engineering”,
of used materials
Computers & Industrial Engineering, Vol. 33, 1997, pp. 565-568
24 F45 It provides the aesthetic characteristics 1.61 [16] Orănescu, Petru, Value Analysis, Litografia Academia Ştefan Gheorghiu,
TOTAL (the use value) 100.00 1979. (available only in Romanian)
[17] Shu, H. Duanmu, L. Zhang, C. Zhu, Y, “Study on the decision-making
of district cooling and heating systems by means of value engineering”,
Renewable Energy – Pergamon, 35(9), pp.1929-1939, 2010.
V. CONCLUSIONS [18] Sperling, R.B, “Understanding value engineering. It's much more than a
set of cost-cutting measures”, IIE Solutions. 33(8), pp. 45-50, 2001.
The paper describes the distinguishing characteristics of [19] Woodhead, R. Ball, F. Li, X, “Silk flowers are just as artificial as plastic
Value Analysis method applied to electrical engineering ones: value engineering in the university context”, European Journal of
domain. The functional analysis phase has been adapted to the Engineering Education, Vol. 29(3), September 2004. pp. 333–341
[20] Younker, Del L, Value Engineering. Analysis and Methodology, Marcel
profile of electrotechical products. Dekker, Inc:New York, 2003.
The authors make two main contributions: (1) the product’s [21] Zhang, Xueqing. Mao, Xiaoming. AbouRizk, Simaan M, “Developing a
functions determination based on the type of energy transfer knowledge management system for improved value engineering
practices in the construction industry”, Automation in Construction, vol.
between the product and the environment and (2) the new 18, pp.777–789, 2009.
method of ranking the product’s functions. This method [22] *** STAS 11272/1-79 Value Analysis. General concepts (available only
represents a step forward in achieving an increased accuracy in Romanian)