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Value Program Enhancements

The TSC's Estimating, Specifications, and Construction Management Group (86-68170) facilitates Group Objectives and Logistics (GOAL) teams and Project Alternative Solutions Studies (PASS). This group applies portions of the value method and other strategies with multi-disciplined teams using the GOAL and/or PASS process. Studies can be conducted for programs, projects, systems, products, equipment, buildings, facilities, services, or supplies to improve performance, reliability, quality, safety, and reduce life-cycle costs.  Although teams using the GOAL and/or PASS process typically save both time and money in the planning and design process, these tools are an enhancement to, not a replacement for, conducting a required Value Study by the Value Program.  

Consideration should be given to determine the appropriate type of study. For projects that have nontraditional issues, that involve different stakeholder positions, or that do not yet have consensus on an alternative, using a GOAL and PASS might be the most effective approach. The GOAL and PASS Technical Teams are designed to work together to keep alternative solutions on target and to avoid scope creep. This process results in viable solutions to address a broad range of administrative, process, or engineering projects.

The Study Scheduling Chart (image) provides guidance in determining the appropriate team and/or study to use at this time for your project.

GOAL

The Group Objectives and Logistics (GOAL) meeting is a structured process to give guidance and direction to help teams more effectively match their designs to the direction of stakeholders, management, and users. Typically, this is accomplished during an interactive 5–8 hour session with project and/or area managers, designers, users, operators, stakeholders, etc. When used to provide direction to a Project Alternative Solution Study (PASS), it is typically held at least 2 weeks prior to the study.

PASS

During this customized multiday study, a Project Alternative Solutions Study (PASS) Technical Team generates, refines, and evaluates alternatives within defined decision factors. These factors can be refined by the GOAL Team prior to the convening of the PASS Technical Team . The PASS Process is tailored to fit your project and circumstances. It does not have mandated OMB and DOI requirements that must be followed by the Value process. For example, previous PASS Teams have:

• Developed viable alternatives in a number of months, or couple of days – depending on the requirements of the project.
• Written formal reports if required, or simply provided meeting notes for the appendix of a more formal document.
• Resolved conflicts between agencies/parties in complex situations where there are different viewpoints on how to evaluate success.

The PASS Process does not require or prohibit cost estimates being prepared to measure savings or cost avoidance. Other tools such as a comparison table (matrix) are often utilized within the PASS Process to evaluate cost and benefits of various alternatives.

For questions and scheduling please contact Jeff Morris (303-445-3373) or Bob Baumgarten (303-445-3076) to discuss the appropriate facilitation tool to meet your project specific requirements.

Decision Process

Reclamation's Decision Process guidebook and facilitation is designed to show the basic steps in a decision process, from identifying needs to developing and selecting alternatives to implementation. Please contact Deena Larsen for more information.