Perceived Benefits of Using Value Engineering on Road Projects in Ghana

The need for Optimum Value benefit realization on\r\nRoad Projects in developing countries has become topical. While the\r\ntraditional Cost Control project management process only aligns actual costs\r\nwith budgeted costs, Value Engineering (VE) is a sustainable and systematic\r\ninnovative methodology for establishing the best functional balance among\r\ndesired features of a project. A Value Engineering (VE) study was conducted\r\nwith the aim of examining the benefits associated with its use on Road Projects\r\nin Ghana. This study employed a two-stage research procedure: desk study and\r\nfield research. The literature review identified the Optimum Value benefits\r\nassociated with VE road project management technique as increased Confidence\r\nLevel in Contract Compliance, reliable Implementation Level of Construction\r\nDelivery and enhanced Effectiveness Level of Project Sustainability. A\r\nquantitative survey research design based on a purposive sampling technique of\r\nselecting respondents was adopted. Employing closed-ended questions, 40 sets of\r\nquestionnaires were issued to professionals in Road Infrastructure and Support\r\nAgencies (RISA) under the Ministry of Roads and Highways (MRH) in the Eastern Region of Ghana. At a response\r\nrate of 85%, descriptive statistical analysis (Means, Standard Deviations and\r\nVariances) and inferential statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) test were\r\nused to process the data and determine whether there was any significant\r\ndifference between VE benefit parameters and the groups of respondents. The\r\nresults revealed that road professionals are familiar with the VE process but\r\nsolely use Cost Control project management technique. Road professionals\r\nrecognized the high Optimum Value benefits of professionally ethical Contract\r\nCompliance, efficient Construction Delivery and functionally viable Project\r\nSustainability on VE road project management process.