FET MJP ROHILKHAND

UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

IET MJPRU 1
VALUE ENGINEERING
ME-415(T)

Chapter 3
FUNCTION PHASE

 Faculty- Dr. Manoj Kumar Singh

IET MJPRU 2
 TOPICS TO BE COVERED
• DEFINITION OF FUNCTION
• RULES OF FUNCTION DEFINITION
• WORK AND SELL FUNCTIONS
• EVALUATE FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIP
• NUMERICAL EVALUATION OF
FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIP
• ABSTRACT
IET MJPRU 3
 OBJECTIVE OF FUNCTION PHASE
Function definition and analysis is the heart of value
methodology. It is the primary activity that
separates the value methodology from all other
practices. The objective of this phase is to develop
the most beneficial areas for continuing study.

IET MJPRU 4
 DEFINITION OF FUNCTION
Value Engineering defines function as “that which
makes a product or service work or sell.”In other
words “an item’s function is why the customer buys
the product or service.” A function is always
expressed by a verb and noun. This two word
description has several advantages.

IET MJPRU 5
 1. Possible alternative solutions for providing
the functions are not restricted.
2. Functions that repeat in the design can easily
be identified and often combined or even
eliminated.
3. The definition promote full understanding by
all team members regardless of their
knowledge, educational and technical
backgrounds. .
IET MJPRU 6
 RULES OF FUNCTION DEFINITION

Rule 1. The expression of all functions must be

accomplished in two words, a verb and a
noun.
Rule 2. The expression of work and sell
functions uses different categories of verbs
and nouns.

IET MJPRU 7
A. Work functions are always expressed in
action verbs and measurable nouns which establish
quantitative statements.
B. Sell functions are always expressed in passive
verbs and non-measurable nouns which establish
qualitative statements.

Rule 3. All functions can be divided into two levels

of importance, basic and secondary.
A. Basic function is the primary purpose for a
product or service.

IET MJPRU 8
B. secondary functions are the other purposes
not directly accomplishing the primary purpose
but supporting it or resulting from a specific
design approach.
These rules have been established to simplify ,
standardize, and channel our thinking process.
This is done to overcome some of our most
detrimental habits and studies .

IET MJPRU 9
WORK AND SELL FUNCTION

IET MJPRU 10
EXAMPLE

IET MJPRU 11
This technique of job plan involves the use of
training worksheet entitled “Functional
Definition”.
The first step in the use of this worksheet is to
fill the reference number, project name and
drawing number (if applicable).
The input and output of the project are then
stated in their respective places, in as concise a
form as possible .

IET MJPRU 12
TRAINING WORKSHEET

IET MJPRU 13
A few simple example of common items and
their inputs and outputs are shown in table
below-

IET MJPRU 14
EVALUATE FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIP
Precise functional balance is that which makes a
product work and sell most effectively at the
lowest total cost. This balance is determined
only through a comparative process which in its
turn leads to a perceptual evaluation. To start
toward the attainment of this balance, we must
first have an understanding of the relationships
between all functions. The purpose of this
technique is to determine that relationship.
IET MJPRU 15
All parts of a given item can be identified in
terms of the function or functions they perform.
These functions are expressed in terms of a
verb and a noun. Their level as basic or
secondary at their own particular part level is
established. We can then, by this technique,
compare and evaluate these defined functions
and determine their interrelationships and the
order of their relative importance to the whole.

IET MJPRU 16
EXAMPLE

IET MJPRU 17
Unnecessary functions, low importance
functions requiring a high cost for achievement,
and functions incorporated because of
preconceived ideas are clearly identified. This
enables us to evaluate our problem or project
objectively and with the smallest amount of
personnel or subjective bias. The constant
nature of this interrelationship between the
functions can be appreciated only when there is
a complete understanding of the functions.

IET MJPRU 18
This method for the numerical evaluation of
functional relationship is capable of
determining and very fine the basic function of
the product being studied as well as
determining the descending order of
importance of the secondary functions. Equally
important it provides us with a means of
separating those functions which are in the
product because of specifications and
requirements and those that are there because
of the present or earlier approach or design.
IET MJPRU 19
 NUMERICAL EVALUATION OF
FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIP
The numerical evaluation of functional relationship is
accomplished only after the functional definition worksheet
has been completed to the point described in the first part
of the chapter, for it is that information that is used in this
technique.
This second technique of the function phase is
accomplished with the use of the training worksheet
entitled “functional evaluation”. Again, as with previous
worksheet, the reference number, project name, and
drawing number are noted in their proper places.

IET MJPRU 20
From the functional definition worksheet, the basic
function of each part of the item being, studied, as
defined and so checked in columns three and four
respectively, is placed in the appropriate space in the
worksheet section entitled “evaluation summary”. As
you list each of these functions on the functional
evaluation worksheet, you will see that each one
requires a key letter. This key letter is used throughout
the succeeding comparisons and evaluations of the
functions.

IET MJPRU 21
The comparison and evaluation process
requires that you have a through understanding
of the facts, data, and information secured in
the information phase. This is necessary
because, in the comparison and evaluation of
the functions, a bit of subjectivity based on this
information must be applied.

IET MJPRU 22
EXAMPLE

IET MJPRU 23
The comparison part of this technique is started by
relating function A to function B and determining
which is more important. The basic function thus
being determined, it can be filled in on the function
definition worksheet. The difference in the
importance of the functions is signified by weight
factors 1, 2 and, 3 where 1 indicates a minor
difference in importance, 2 shows a medium
difference of importance and, 3 shows a major
difference of importance.

IET MJPRU 24
GRAPH OF WEIGHT FACTOR

IET MJPRU 25
With these quantitative data on the relationship of
each function to every other function, we can now list
the functions on their descending order of
importance, retaining with them their weight factor
totals. This descending order listing of the functions
with their weight factors provides us with additional
and significant information for analysis. From an
analysis of this list, we see that there are two distinct
drops in the weight factor totals.

IET MJPRU 26
The first such drop will always appear between
the basic and secondary functions, thereby
separating for us the two levels of functions.
The second drop will appear within the
descending order of the secondary functions.
This drop is significant in that, upon analysis, we
find that all the functions listed below it are
contained because of the present design or
approach. It should be noted that the second
drop is quite large.
IET MJPRU 27
After the detail of two worksheet have been
completed, it is possible for you to study the
results and determine many things about your
project. With this knowledge, you can
objectively analyze the product with
confidence, knowing that you have secured and
related all the facts, data and, information
about it. The figures shows the application of
the numerical evaluation of functional
relationships to the roof exhaust fan wheel used
in the earlier discussion on defining the
function. IET MJPRU 28
EXAMPLE FOR ROOF EXHAUST FAN

IET MJPRU 29
NUMERICAL EVALUATION GRAPH

IET MJPRU 30
 ABSTRACT
The primary objective of the function analysis
phase is to determine the most beneficial areas for
value improvement, while unnecessary cost
removal has been the traditional target for value
studies, it is important to emphasize that more
frequently today value studies are conducted to
improve a product or service’s performance such as
time or quality without increasing cost.

IET MJPRU 31
THANK YOU

IET MJPRU 32