By Dr.-Ing. Marc Pauwels, CVS, TVM, FSAVE – Director Global Affairs, SAVE International
This article reaches most people right at the end or during the final moments of their summer vacation. What is the function of a vacation? It is to “relax mind”. This is a crucial function, as it’s impossible to always operate at 100%. Taking time to relax with family and friends helps restore the energy needed for the second half of the year.
It seems that the VA/VE world was also in vacation mode. After the 2024 Value Summit in Nashville and a few smaller local events, the next conferences will begin in October and November. As a reminder, these will be held in Austria, India, Hungary, and Korea. Check the Calendar of Events on the SAVE International website for more information.
For me, the summer period provides an opportunity to focus on tasks that often get overshadowed by more urgent matters during busier times. One of these tasks is to examine the global applications of VA/VE. It’s a personal dream of mine to see VA/VE utilized in all kinds of projects worldwide. For instance, in Germany, 85% of all VA/VE activities are projects within private industries focusing on products. There is very little activity in construction or infrastructure. In the U.S., the situation is the exact opposite. But why? VA/VE was initially developed and used in private industry.
The question of why VA/VE is applied so differently across various countries is fascinating. One reason might lie in the different economic structures and priorities. In Germany, industry holds significant importance, with a strong focus on product optimization to remain competitive. This means that VA/VE is primarily used in production and product development to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
In the U.S., on the other hand, infrastructure plays a central role, particularly given the country’s size and the need to execute large-scale construction projects. Here, VA/VE is often applied to construction and public infrastructure projects to ensure that these projects stay within budget while maintaining the highest quality standards.
It would be interesting to explore whether there is potential to expand the use of VA/VE in both countries. Could Germany benefit from increased application of VA/VE in the construction sector? And could the U.S. implement VA/VE more extensively in the private sector to bring innovative products to market more quickly and cost-effectively?
SAVE aims to address an important question: How can we boost membership from the private sector, particularly among those involved in product development and optimization? To this end, SAVE plans to engage directly with these members, seeking their insights on what they expect from the organization and how it can add value to their daily work. Additionally, we are planning a webinar that will begin with a presentation highlighting the potential of VA/VE in the private sector, followed by an open discussion with all participants. More details will be communicated as they are finalized.
Based on the outcomes of these activities, we are confident in our ability to strengthen VA/VE. Stay tuned for more updates!
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