Fast Diagramming Made Easy: Straightforward Techniques for Your Highway Project

Presented at the 2013 AASHTO Value Engineering Peer Exchange Workshop, Minneapolis, MN, July 10, 2013 By: Paul Johnson, CVS-Life

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Presentation Outline    

Brief History of FAST Introduction to FAST Diagramming Examples of FAST Diagrams for Highway Projects Lists of Common Functions – – – –

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Higher Order Basic Secondary All the Time

Fast Diagramming Tips from Paul Tools: Yellow Stickies; Power Point; Visio Drawing Tutorial Q/A

History, and Introduction to FAST Diagramming

Brief History of FAST, as Part of VE 

1945 GE assigns L.D. Miles to reduce costs

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1947-52 L.D. Miles develops and proves function techniques

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1955 Navy adds VE Incentive Clause in contracts 1959 Society of American Value Engineers founded 1964 Corps of Engineers applies VE to construction 1964 Charles Bytheway Develops FAST Diagramming Technique VE Currently Required by FHWA and DOT’s for Bridge Projects over $40 million, and Highway Projects over $50 million

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Why FAST is Important to Value Engineering 

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VE is conducted on capital improvement projects to save money without compromising function and to enhance function within the Owner’s budget With the help of Functional Analysis, VE is NOT a rudimentary cost reduction technique

Value Engineering Approach 

VE is a Structured Team Approach Focused on Function(s) and Thinking Outside the Box

Value Engineering Diagram

Savings in Facility Life Cycle

The Value Equation

V = F/C Where: V = Value from the Owner’s Eyes F = Function C = Cost The secret is to understand functions

FAST 

Function Analysis System Technique Diagramming – – – – – – – –

Developed in 1964 by Charles W. Bytheway Function is an Active Verb followed by a Measurable Noun Applies intuitive logic to test functions Displays functions in a diagram or model form Identifies dependence between functions Creates common language for team Tests validity of functions No “correct” FAST model -- team consensus

The Technical FAST Model Scope Line

How?

Higher order function

Why? When? Design objective

Design objective Functions that happen “All the Time”

Basic function

Basic function

Required secondary function

Required secondary function

Functions that happen “At the Same Time” and/or “When” Scope of problem under study

Causative function

Types of Functions 

Higher Order Functions – The societal reasons of “Why” a project is being done – Listed to left of the left scope line on a FAST diagram

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Basic Functions – Describes the primary reason a project is being done

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All the Time Functions (also called “Required Secondary Functions”) – Any function that is required to meet codes, standards, or other mandatory requirements on a project

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Secondary Functions – Those functions that if removed from the project, then both the Basic and Secondary functions could still be realized – Examples of where too much money is devoted to secondary functions (targets for VE analysis)

Examples of FAST Diagramming for Highway Projects

FAST Diagram: Elgin O’Hare 2011 Value Planning

FAST Diagram: Arches National Park Roadway Improvements

FAST Diagram: US-89, Thayne-Alpine Junction (Etna North), SW Wyoming, Star Valley, near Jackson

Lists of Common Functions for Highway Projects

Typical Higher Order Functions of Highway Projects 

Higher Order Functions (the reasons “Why” a project is being done, but not within the scope lines): – – – – – –

Promote Economy Access Employment Create Jobs Generate Revenue Improve Livability Encourage Development

Typical Basic Functions of Highway Projects 

Basic Functions of a Highway Project – – – – – –

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Transport People Transport Goods Reduce Congestion Reduce Travel Time Link Communities Link Airport

Basic Functions of an Interchange – – – – –

Free Flow Traffic Movement Connect Interstates Change Travel Direction Manage Traffic Flow Access Community

Typical Basic Functions of Highway Projects 

Basic Functions of a Dedicated Lanes – – – – – –

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Accommodate High Speed Pass Slower Vehicles Accommodate Varying Speed Separate Traffic GuideTraffic Delineate Lanes

Basic Functions of a Median/Center Lane – Accommodate Left Turn Movements – Decelerate Safely – Facilitate Access

Typical Basic Functions of Highway Projects 

Basic Functions of an Outside Shoulder – – – –

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Change Tire Decelerate Safely Warn Vehicles (Rumble Strips) Emergency Pullout

Basic or Secondary Functions of Drainage and Erosion Control – – – – – –

Dry Base Shed Water Extend Pavement Life Collect Stormwater Treat Stormwater Prevent Flooding (of Roadway)

Typical Basic Functions of Highway Projects 

Secondary or Lower Order Functions – – – –

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Construct Project Plan Project Obtain Approvals (Environmental, Permits) Design Project

All The Time Functions (or Required Secondary) – – – – –

Improve Safety Enable Emergency Access Remain within ROW Meet Roadway Standards Comply with Environmental Requirements

Tips and Tools for FAST Diagramming

FAST Diagramming Tips from Paul 

Stay at an Appropriate Level of Abstraction – A FAST diagram for a major program at conceptual design will be at a higher level of abstraction than a FAST diagram of a smaller highway project at mid design – You could prepare separate FAST diagrams at varying levels of abstraction on project components, such as Drainage – but this is not typically done

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Numbers of Functions to Show on a FAST Diagram – Include an appropriate number of functions that answer the “How-Why” relationships – Don’t try and place too many functions on your FAST Diagram – All of the functions generated can be listed in your report, with representative ones shown on the FAST diagram – It’s okay to include a statement in the diagram that says “Refer to the VE Report for additional Basic and Secondary Functions.”

FAST Diagramming Tips from Paul 

Techniques During the Study – Start by asking team to generate functions for the overall project • Type them in Word as they are stated by the VE team

– Generate additional functions for the major components of the project • Interchange; Mainline; Earthwork; Bridges; Drainage; Right-of-Way

– Generate “Higher Order” functions for why the project is being done – Go back and add acronyms next to each function, in parentheses • H = Higher Order; B = Basic; S = Secondary; A = All the Time

– You could prepare separate FAST diagrams at varying levels of abstraction on project components, such as Drainage – but this is not typically done

FAST Diagramming Tips from Paul 

Practical Tips for FAST Diagramming – Budget 2 to 4 hours in a typical 40-hour study for Function Analysis and FAST Diagramming – Stay within your time budget; you’ll need to preserve time for the development phase – You should be able to complete Functional Analysis (generating functions) during this time, and starting on the FAST diagram – If FAST diagram is not completed, have a smaller group work on it during lunch and/or evening hours, and present it back to the group – Refine the diagram as necessary based on VE team input

FAST Diagramming Tips from Paul 

FAST Diagramming Tools – Yellow stickies with functions noted, arranged on a wall (old school) – Project FAST diagram on screen from your laptop, using PowerPoint or Visio, and arrange the boxes as you discuss with VE team • Need to be fast on the PC to do this

– Don’t try and place too many functions on your FAST Diagram – All of the functions generated can be listed in your report, with representative ones shown on the FAST diagram – It’s okay to include a statement in the diagram that says “Refer to the VE Report for additional Basic and Secondary Functions.”

Drawing Tutorial 

Example Functions – Generate a few more

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Construct a FAST Diagram Using Yellow Stickies Construct a FAST Diagram Using PowerPoint

Q/A