INL CAPABILITY 

INL Value Engineering 

ince its first application at the 

Idaho National Laboratory 

(INL) in 1985, Value 

Engineering has developed into 

an extremely cost effective tool for 

increased productivity. Its techniques 

provide a reliable, quality product, 

process, or service at the lowest 

possible cost. 

Systematic Process – Value 

Engineering is unique in that it uses a 

systematic process that incorporates 

multidisciplinary teams, VE certified 

facilitators, problem solving tools and 

techniques and a formal job plan. The 

heart of VE is Function Analysis, which 

is the key activity that differentiates VE 

from other problem-solving or 

improvement practices. 

Value Engineering follows a job plan to 

achieve its goals. The phases in a job 

plan include: 

► Preparation / Planning 

► Information gathering 

► Function Analysis 

► Creativity 

► Evaluation 

► Development 

► Presentation / Implementation 

The unique aspects of Value 

Engineering include: 

► Utilizing facilitators 

trained/certified in the VE 

process 

► Generating formal 

documentation of the results and 

team recommendations 

► Engaging an interdisciplinary 

team of those involved or 

affected by the 

recommendations 

► Performing function analysis 

that introduces a different 

perspective of the project 

► Following a formal job plan. 

Over 75 years of combined experience 

qualifies the INL Value Engineering 

team to provide the following services. 

Independent Analysis – Value 

Engineers review your product, 

procedure, or service to ensure a 

productive, efficient, and cost effective 

design before implementation. Areas of 

past experience include management, 

quality assurance and control, industrial 

engineering, mechanical engineering, 

cost estimating, and project 

management. 

Facilitation Services – Value 

Engineers provide the facilitation skills 

to enhance group dynamics, develop 

group personalities, and promote 

synergism – the key to a team approach. 

The staff has led teams in areas 

including Generation IV and Advanced 

Fuel Cycle Initiative programs, longterm monitoring of low-level waste, 

automated data processing equipment 

acquisition, job definition, craft shop 

design, and office building design. 

They can also provide the facilitation 

services required for program managers 

to lead their own in-house Value 

Engineering teams. 

(continued on next page) 

S 
INL CAPABILITY 

11/27/06 

Value

Engineering 

Assistance 

Technical Contacts 

Lori Braase, AVS 

(208) 526-7763 

Lori.Braase@inl.gov 

Alison Conner, CVS 

(208) 526-7799 

Alison.Conner@inl.gov 

Darcie Martinson 

(208) 526-3299 

Darcie.Martinson@inl.gov 

Web Page 

http://www.inl.gov/syseng 

(continued from previous page)

Program Development – Value 

Engineers provide assistance in 

program development, project 

management, Value Engineering 

orientation, administration, and 

customer training to teach others how to 

develop their own Value Engineering 

programs. 

Benefits of VE – In addition to savings 

that yield 10% of the original life cycle 

costs, other benefits derived from the 

application of Value Engineering 

include: 

► Better understanding of the 

project through improved 

communications 

► Schedule acceleration 

► Increased scope 

► Early identification of missing 

or inaccurate cost estimates 

► Early identification of risks 

► Complete documentation of the 

decision making process. 

As a contractor for the U.S. Department 

of Energy, our Value Engineering 

services are available to other 

government agencies through 

interagency contracting. Staff teams 

can provide a quick response to meet 

customers’ needs. 

Recent Value Engineering Successes – 

Some recent Value Engineering 

successes at the INL include: 

► Gas Test Loop Pre-conceptual 

Design 

► Yucca Mountain Transporter 

System 

► Yucca Mountain Subsurface 

Facility Transportation 

System(continued from previous 

page) 

► Spent Nuclear Fuels transfer 

from CPP-603 (wet storage) to 

CPP-666 (dry storage) 

► Deactivation of CPP-601, 627, 

640 Complex 

► In-Situ Grouting at the 

Subsurface Disposal Area 

► Removal of PM2A Tanks at Test 

Area North 

► Pit-9 Stage 3 Remediation 

► INL Craft Consolidation 

► Test Area North Facility (TAN 

V)-Tanks Treatment Options. 

 

Interdisciplinary team members 

discuss innovative ideas during a 

Value Engineering workshop.