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Description

Value Analysis: Mapping Functions, Costing Them and Driving Innovation

Go back to the real need in order to redesign a product or service with equal functionality and controlled cost

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

Products grow more complex with every release: components are added, options outlive the use case that justified them, and unit cost drifts without anyone knowing which function is driving it. The same questions come back at every project review without ever leading to a clear decision.

Two days to run a complete functional analysis: express the need, rank the functions, allocate cost by function and then explore alternative solutions. Participants apply the approach to one of their own products or services and leave with a functional specification already under way.

Learning objectives

  • Express the need to be met in the form of service functions
  • Rank functions and set the expected performance levels
  • Allocate unit cost by function to identify imbalances
  • Explore alternative solutions at constant value in use
  • Draft a functional specification that designers can work from

What makes this programme different

The approach is applied to a product brought in by the participants
Cost allocation by function is built from a real bill of materials
Each group leaves with a functional specification already under way

Programme

1Need and Functions

Start from use rather than from the solution

  • Distinguish between the need
  • the product and the technical solution
  • Conduct the functional expression of the need
  • Identify service functions and technical functions
  • Express each function without implying a solution

2Ranking and Criteria

Classify functions and set performance levels

  • Compare functions in pairs
  • Weight them according to actual use rather than habit
  • Set performance levels and their degree of flexibility
  • Build the functional specification

3Cost by Function

Know where the money goes

  • Break down unit cost by component
  • Allocate costs to functions
  • Identify over-resourced functions and orphan costs
  • Build the chart that cross-references cost and value

4Solution Search and Decision-Making

Turn the analysis into decisions

  • Generate solutions for the critical functions
  • Assess feasibility and expected gain
  • Build redesign scenarios
  • Present the scenarios to the decision-maker

Who is it for

Design office engineers and technicians · product managers · buyers and methods managers involved in designing or redesigning an offering.

Prerequisites

Be involved in a project to design or redesign a product or a service.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.