BS EN 16271:2012

What is BS EN 16271 - Value management about?  

BS EN 16271 is a tool to be used by any partner wishing to draft and make use of the reference of any need to be satisfied. In light of this purpose, BS EN 16271: 

• States the interests and fields of application of the functional need analysis, functional need expression, and functional performance specification concepts  
• Determines the contents requirements of the functional need expression structured in four main bodies: 
• Global definition of the need 
• Definition of the strategic elements and the consolidation of needs 
• Highlighting of principles, and concepts were chosen beforehand, if any 
• Description of the functions to be provided and of the constraints to be complied with 
• Determines the requirements on the composition and contents of a functional performance specification and those used to assess its quality, i.e., requirements concerning: 
• Its contents and structure  
• The assessment of the characteristics which define its quality  
• Precisely specifies, in the form of requirements: 
• The conditions for a successful Functional Need Analysis (FNA) action producing a deliverable called Functional Need Expression (FNE) 
• The conditions for drawing up a successful functional performance specification (FPS) based on the available functional need expression (FNE)  
• The conditions of use of the FPS by the inquirer and the various partners involved (the provider for example) 
• Specifies the various conditions of use of these concepts 

BS EN 16271 is applicable in principle to all product types and dimensions (from the elementary 

tangible object to the definition of an organization and its strategy, including the systems or processes and activities implemented by an organization) and to all sectors of activity (including the service sector). Lastly, it is applicable within the framework of relationships between external partners (between a customer and its providers) or internally (between two entities of the same organization for example). 

Who is BS EN 16271 - Value management for? 

BS EN 16271 on value management is useful for: 

• Functional analysis 
• Reliability performance 
• Production management 
• Purchasing 
• Value analysis 
• Consumers 

Why should you use BS EN 16271 - Value management?  

BS EN 16271 states the conditions for the successful implementation of the functional need analysis, functional need expression, and functional performance specification and determines the compliance requirements for the parties involved. BS EN 16271 extends the generic standard on value management, EN 12973. BS EN 16271 separately presents the requirements applicable to the processes that have to be implemented and those applicable to the deliverables derived from these processes. In highly competitive markets, the durability and the development of organizations depend on their capacity to provide competitive products which are best suited to satisfy the need, whether expressed or implicit, of the users. 

The statement of the need in a functional form, i.e. in terms of purpose, without reference to solutions (technical, administrative, procedural, organizational, etc.) likely to satisfy it, ensures there is every chance that competitive and innovative solutions will emerge at the design stage. The statement of the need in a functional form is essential. BS EN 16271 permits the expression of the: 

• Reference of this need in validated terms (in terms of obligations, expected services, rather than in terms of means) which can be used to control the evolution of this reference at the later stages of the product's life  
• Level of importance of the main requirements which make up the cost of a product. 

Using a structured need statement approach in a functional form promotes the: 

• Offer competitive and innovative products 
• Mobilization of all the interested parties to obtain a unified expression of the need which can be used at each step - from the development to the evaluation of offers satisfying the same need 
• Dialogue between the partners, while respecting the responsibilities of each partner and with a clearer relationship between the customer and the provider 

BS EN 16271 addresses the quality of specification under the responsibility of the enquirer, the handling of the customer/provider relationship, and the search for the optimum solution in relation to the expressed need. BS EN 16271 addresses the performance levels and the grade of quality required by the enquirer.