UCC recognise the importance of value engineering in Qatar

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UCC recognise the importance of value engineering in Qatar    

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Design versus practicality is one of the most prevalent issues in today’s construction market, according main contractor, UrbaCon.

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The need to provide stylish structures, while maintaining the functionality of a building in terms of both performance and material has always been a difficult balance to reach. While architects attempt to create more daring and extraordinary examples of their work, engineers struggle to maintain the core function of the structures, while keeping costs down.

Value engineering was originally coined by the GE corporation during the 1940’s, where the company was faced with a lack of raw materials, staff and components. By having to improvise, engineers found that they had inadvertently saved money or improved the design, purely out of necessity than anything else. Eventually fine-tuned, this process eventually turned into ‘value analysis’.

The system, which was originally comprised of six steps, consisted of preparation, information, analysis, creation, evaluation, development, presentation and follow-up; something which continues to this day.

Qatari based project director Mowafaq Kharbat agrees that these principals are still very important, particular in one of the fastest growing construction markets in the world.

“When I first joined UCC, my background had been in civil engineering. Over the years, I’ve moved toward project management. It is easy to see why some contractors approach buildings from a design point of view to start with. For me it is important to take a practical approach to building. When we are going through the design process, I am always thinking about the cost. I’ve found that value engineering is an area that I can draw on my thirty years experience in the construction sector.”

Speaking with UCC’s CEO, Mohamed Moataz AlKhayat, he said; “For UCC, we are fortunate to work with some very good clients. For several projects, we’ve been given a carte blanche in terms of budget, however this doesn’t mean that we become wasteful with our design or material. There is a right way to deliver a project and a wrong way, and using value engineering is an essential part of our protocol to ensuring that our clients are happy upon delivery.”

UCC’s managing director, Ramez AlKhayat added, “We often aim where possible to have a self sustained approach by using our own equipment. Through gaining information, measuring, analysing, generating and evaluating, we are able to ensure the success and delivery of our projects as accurately as possible.”

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