Value Enginering in the Construction of an Administration block in Bweyogerere, Uganda.

Abstract

Value Engineering (VE) is an innovative service which involves an organized approach to the identification and elimination of un-necessary costs without loss of function. This report is about value engineering in the construction of an administration block in Bweyogerere, under which the author participated as a Project Manager. The author had to re-scope the building exercise to critically focus on renovation in the form of value engineering since the initial budget proposal of UGX 250 million Uganda shillings for demolishing and rebuilding of main structural elements on the structure was not deemed viable by the client. Detailed construction approaches employed, and aspects of construction project management practice adopted during the execution phase are also included in the report. The areas discussed at length include the measures taken to ensure the project objectives in terms of cost, quality, time, safety and environment aspects were achieved during the execution of the project. Gantt charts were used to manage and control time as concentration was always given to critical activities. Quality was achieved by following standards, specifications and work methods and close supervision. Costs were also managed through timely resourcing of the activities using the rates provided for the activities. Proper involvement of all stakeholders in the project and smooth flow of information during the period of project execution were maintained for the success of the project. The works were successfully executed to completion within the planned time frame (from 24th April 2019 to 19th May 2019) and they cost a total of Ugx 33,501,700. Therefore, the implementation of VE on this project ensured that over 75% of the initial cost of reconstruction (initial cost of UGX 250 million) was saved due to the creative options that was applied to this administration block.