In the competitive and ever-changing world of manufacturing, creating products that not only meet users’ needs but also deliver real value is essential to a company’s success. This is where Value Engineering comes in, a strategic and systematic process that goes far beyond simply cutting costs.
In this interview, we’ll explore in depth why value analysis is so crucial to the product development process, how it helps optimize user satisfaction while ensuring profitability, and how companies can benefit from this approach to boost their market competitiveness.
Q: What is Value Engineering, and why is it important in product development engineering?
THN: “Value engineering is an approach that aims to optimize the relationship between satisfying needs and costs. Each person has his or her own needs, and the aim is to obtain a product that best satisfies these needs while being cost-effective. It’s a standardized process that was defined in the USA during the Second World War and is now used worldwide. In product development engineering, value engineering is crucial because it ensures that every investment in the product has real value for the end-user. This involves constant functional analysis to optimize value throughout the development process.”
Q: What are the constraints or points of vigilance to be taken into account when implementing value analysis?
THN: “Implementing value analysis requires a high level of discipline within the company. It requires close teamwork and a culture of open discussion. If a company doesn’t foster teamwork, value analysis won’t be effective. Also, it’s essential to involve different expertise in the process to guarantee a global and creative vision.”
Q: What are the risks if a company doesn’t practice value analysis in its product development process?
THN: “After more than 40 years in the business, I’ve found that the main risk is not effectively meeting real user needs. Often, companies focus on reducing costs without asking themselves whether this affects the value perceived by the user. For example, I had to change my phone because the new model, although cheaper, no longer met my essential need to measure my heart rate. Value-based analysis makes it possible to intelligently negotiate investments to maximize user satisfaction while optimizing costs.”
Q: How does Merkur stand out in the field of value-based analysis in product development?
THN: “Merkur stands out for its expertise in product development engineering and its commitment to value analysis. We offer comprehensive value engineering services and have a team of engineers specifically trained in this field. Our approach is strategic, involving close collaboration with our customers to ensure real value optimization in their products. Contact us today to get your project off to a good start!”
