The correct answer is D. To prioritize functions . The Function Analysis Phase includes several important activities: identifying functions, defining them in active verb/measurable noun form, classifying them as basic or secondary, organizing their relationships, and relating cost or worth where required. However, these activities are not the final purpose by themselves. Their purpose is to determine which functions deserve the team’s focused attention for value improvement.
SAVE’s Value Methodology guidance explains that during Function Analysis, the team defines project functions and reviews them to determine which need improvement, elimination, or creation to meet study goals. ( WSDOT ) The Study Guide also states that functions performed inefficiently or at more than expected cost become the focus of the VM team’s improvement effort. ( ) This means the ultimate output is a prioritized understanding of where value improvement opportunities exist.
Option A may occur in advanced function-cost analysis, but it is not the ultimate objective. Options B and C are necessary intermediate steps, but they support the larger goal of prioritizing functions for creativity, evaluation, and development.
References/topics: Function Analysis Phase; Function Definition; Function Classification; Function Organization; Function Prioritization; Value Improvement Opportunities.
