In a recent episode of Project Insights, PMA’s Rick Johnson and Jeff Plant joined host Bryan Ritch for a deep and candid conversation about the discipline of value engineering (VE) – what it is, how it works, and why it remains one of the most impactful tools for improving major infrastructure projects. With more than seven decades of combined experience, Rick and Jeff shared stories from the field that illustrate VE’s power to unlock savings, improve constructability, and challenge long-held assumptions that can hinder project success.
Rick, who has conducted hundreds of VE studies since becoming a Certified Value Specialist in 2001, explained that VE’s strength lies in its structured, function-driven methodology. Unlike cost-cutting exercises (which are often mistaken for VE), true VE evaluates the relationship between function and cost to improve performance, reduce lifecycle expenses, and deliver better outcomes for owners. Jeff described a particularly poignant example of this on one of his earliest VE experiences on a major highway project in Jamaica. A collaborative VE workshop identified roughly 20% in construction savings while also improving the project’s final design. That “win-win” outcome, he said, sparked his passion for the discipline.
Throughout the discussion, both experts emphasized the benefits of fresh eyes and multidisciplinary thinking. Whether evaluating roadway interchanges in Florida, a tunnel under the Port of Miami, or a commuter rail station whose location could be shifted to save tens of millions of dollars, the VE team’s independence enables unbiased exploration of alternatives. Internal teams, constrained by prior decisions, assumptions, or political sensitivities, may overlook these alternatives completely. In one roadway project, reconfiguring ramps to avoid right-of-way acquisitions saved $160 million. In another, a landscape architect and an attorney, both nontraditional VE voices, generated foundational ideas that reshaped project direction.
The conversation also underscored common barriers that prevent owners from pursuing VE earlier in the project lifecycle when its impact is greatest. Cognitive dissonance, political commitments, or rigid environmental assessments can make teams reluctant to revisit assumptions, even when savings of millions or billions are achievable. Both Rick and Jeff advised owners to conduct VE studies at or before the 30% design stage and to bring in external subject matter experts who can question design decisions without bias.
Despite these challenges, Rick and Jeff agree that when done correctly, value engineering always delivers value, often multiple times of the study’s cost. More importantly, VE strengthens collaboration, improves constructability, and helps teams avoid the pitfalls that arise from “we’ve always done it this way” thinking. As Jeff summarized, the essence of VE is continually asking: “What does this project need to achieve and how can we accomplish it better?”
In an era of rising costs, complex infrastructure demands, and increasing scrutiny of public spending, VE is not optional, but essential. When paired with skilled facilitation, diverse expertise, and a commitment to questioning assumptions, VE becomes one of the most powerful tools for creating smarter, more resilient infrastructure across North America.
To learn more about how VE can benefit your project, listen to the full episode or visit our services page.