ECE 2799 Value Analysis Determine an Optimum Solution by Prof. Mazumder Prof. Bitar Updated: 3/22/2016

What is Value Analysis? “A systematic method of comparison for determining the option(s) that best meet a set of required or desired criteria.” “A systematic and critical assessment of every features of a product to ensure that the cost is no greater than is necessary to carry out the functions”

Needs Assessment & Problem Formulation Homework #1 Perform Market Research Brainstorm / Perform Technical Research HW#1 Needs Assessment & Problem Formulation Customer Requirements Product Specification Need / Idea

Abstraction & Synthesis Homework #2 Viable Options Preferred Solution HW#2 Abstraction & Synthesis Possible Solutions Perform Value Analysis Research Prior Art Brainstorm Apply Constraints

Value Analysis Steps To Evaluate Alternate Designs (1) Rank-order of design goals (2) Assign weighting factors to design goals (3) Rating factors to alternate designs (4) Decision Matrix

Value Analysis Example 1 Select a Computer System Design Goals: Performance, Minimum maintenance, Aesthetics, Minimum cost, Availability of parts, Ease of use, Versatilities, Portability Assign weighting factors to design goals: Categories of significance e.g. Critical (71-100), Important (31-70), Optional (1-30) Rating Factors of alternate designs: For example: Excellent (10), Good (8), Satisfactory (6), Mediocre (4), Unsatisfactory (2), Failure (0)

Value Analysis Example 1 Rank Ordering of Design Goals Evaluate Alternative Designs: (1) Rank-order design goals (2) Assign weight factors to design goals (3) Rating factor alternative designs (4) Decision Matrix Computer: Rank-ordering design goals Design Goals Performance Minimum Maintenance Aesthetics Cost Availability of Parts Ease of Use Versatility Portability Total Weight from total Team chosen Weight factor Performance Min. maintenance Aesthetics Cost Availability of parts Ease of use Versatility Portability Team categories:  Critical (71-100), Important (31-70),Optional (1-30)

Value Analysis Example 1 Decision Matrix Decision Matrix Alternate design Rating factors: 10=Excellent, 8=Good, 6=Satisfactory, 4=Mediocre, 2=Unacceptable, 0=Failure Design Goals --> Versatility Portability Performance Cost Ease of Use Availability of parts Minimum maintenance Aesthetics Total ( Decision Factor ) Weight Factors --> Design AlternativesratingScoreratingScoreratingScoreratingScoreratingScoreratingScoreratingScoreratingScoreTotal Alternative Alternative Alternative Alternative  Decision Factor = Weighting Factor x Rating Factor

Decision Matrix Valuable evaluation tool: View alternate designs in a thoughtful manner Prioritize goals Consider relative strengths/weaknesses Need to maintain high level of Objectivity Can be applied to select alternate designs, products, components and parts,

More Topics Examples Cell Phone selection Job Offer Selection Component Selection: Microprocessor ICs OpAmp Transistors Diode LEDs

Microcontroller Comparison by student Richard Speranza 2013

Generic Value Matrix (Spreadsheet)