The correct answer is B . A VM program's standard operating procedures should define how candidate subjects or projects are identified, screened, selected, prioritized, and authorized for VM studies. This belongs to VM program governance because limited VM resources must be applied to subjects with appropriate scope, timing, information availability, organizational importance, and value-improvement potential. SAVE's Value Standard states that the standard assists managers and value program managers in applying VM within organizations in a consistent manner, and also guides practitioners and managers in determining when to apply VM to a project to maximize innovation and implementation benefits. ( wsdot.wa.gov ) Option A is too rigid. SAVE recognizes multidisciplinary teams of experienced professionals and stakeholders; people outside the project may be added for perspective, but every team member is not required to be independent from the development team. ( wsdot.wa.gov ) Option C is incorrect because functions are not pre-listed generically; they are identified specifically for the study subject during Function Analysis.
Option D is also incorrect because creativity should encourage broad idea generation, but the SOP should not prescribe a fixed number of ideas as a universal requirement. VM procedures should standardize the management process, not force artificial technical outputs.
References/topics: VM Programs; Program SOPs; Study Subject Identification; Value Program Management; Study Selection Criteria.

The correct answers are A and B . Function Analysis is used to give the VM team a clearer and often new understanding of the project by describing the project in terms of what it must do , rather than what it currently is . The SAVE International Study Guide identifies Function Analysis as the foundation of Value Methodology and states that functions are identified to describe the work being performed within the study scope. It also explains that functions are expressed through active verb and measurable noun pairings, which supports clear thinking and a shared understanding of functional requirements. ( ) Function Analysis is also used to identify improvements . After defining and naming project functions, the team reviews them to determine which functions may be inefficient, over-costly, or suitable for improvement.
The Study Guide further explains that this process allows the team to identify where value improvement opportunities exist in the project. ( ) Creating a collaborative environment is more broadly related to facilitation and team dynamics, not the primary purpose of function analysis. Assisting only individuals with a technical background is incorrect because VM is multidisciplinary.
References/topics: Function Analysis Phase; Function Definition; Functional Requirements; Value Improvement Opportunities; FAST/Function Modeling.

The correct sequence is shock, defensive retreat, acknowledgement, adaptation to change . In Value Methodology, proposed alternatives often challenge existing assumptions, designs, ownership positions, or organizational habits. Therefore, resistance to change must be anticipated and managed as part of facilitation, presentation, and implementation. The CVS study material places team building and facilitation knowledge within the areas of team dynamics, consensus building, habits, attitudes, creativity roadblocks, and effective presentation. ( ) The first reaction to significant change is usually shock , where stakeholders are surprised or unsettled by the proposed departure from the current approach. This is followed by defensive retreat , where individuals may protect the original concept, defend prior decisions, or resist the implication that improvement is possible. The next stage is acknowledgement , where stakeholders begin to recognize the validity of the new information, value alternative, or improvement opportunity. Finally, adaptation to change occurs when the organization accepts the revised direction and begins integrating it into practice. This aligns with VM implementation guidance, where accepted alternatives must be planned, committed to, tracked, and embedded into the organization. ( ) References/topics: VM Facilitation and Team Dynamics; Change Management Strategies; Presentation Phase; Implementation Activities; Team Dynamics.

The correct answers are A and B . A VM program can fail when it is placed too narrowly inside one department because Value Methodology must operate as an organization-wide management process, not as the property of a single functional group. When VM is positioned inside one department, other departments may view it as that department's agenda rather than as a neutral, cross-functional decision-support process.
This weakens participation, reduces ownership of recommendations, and limits executive visibility.
An undefined implementation and change management process is also a major failure factor. VM studies produce recommendations, but the program succeeds only when those recommendations are reviewed, approved, assigned, tracked, and integrated into normal project or business controls. Without a defined implementation path, even technically strong VM proposals can remain unused. Change management is necessary because VM recommendations often alter scope, design, delivery approach, cost allocation, or stakeholder expectations.
By contrast, management support and tracking VM study results are success factors, not failure factors.
Executive support gives authority and resources, while tracking verifies savings, value improvement, and accountability.
References/topics: VM Programs; Program Organization; Management Support; Implementation Process; Change Management; Tracking VM Results.

The correct answer is C. Before the VM study begins . Customer information must be acquired during the Preparation Phase , also called the pre-study effort, because the VM facilitator needs accurate project knowledge before the formal study session starts. This includes the customer's objectives, needs, constraints, priorities, budget concerns, schedule requirements, performance expectations, risk issues, and definition of success. Without this information, the VM team may begin the study with an unclear scope, incomplete data, or incorrect assumptions.
The customer's input also helps the facilitator select the right team members, prepare the agenda, identify required documents, define study boundaries, and confirm the decision-making framework. By the time the team enters the Information Phase, the study should already be organized and supported by relevant background data.
Option A is weaker because waiting until the study begins reduces efficiency and may waste team time.
Option B is incorrect because the final presentation is for communicating recommendations, not collecting basic customer requirements. Option D is incorrect because conceptual development occurs after functions and ideas have already been analyzed.
References/topics: Preparation Phase; Pre-Study Activities; Customer Requirements; Study Scope; VM Job Plan; Information Readiness.