Standards Development

Scope

This standard concerns Function Analysis. As an addition to the European Standard of Value Management (EN12973: 2020) and the standard of Functional Performance Specification (EN 16271:2012), this standard constitutes an accessible reference document for the use of all interested parties having or wishing to implement Function Analysis method. It is also intended for anyone who wishes to understand the issues and challenges related to the use of this method. In this context, it:

a) presents the interests and application areas of the method of Function Analysis

1) clarifies Function Analysis families (including the duality between Functional Need Analysis (or “external” or “black box”) and the Technical Function Analysis (or “Internal” or “white box”)),

2) Explicit the concept of "Function Thinking".

b) establishes the requirements applicable to the Function Analysis deliverables

1) Defines the requirements relating to the Functional Expression of Need, the Functional Performance Specification (FPS),

2) Define the requirements relating to functional diagrams for example, Function Analysis System Technique (FAST), Functional Breakdown Structure or Functional Architecture.

c) establishes the requirements applicable to the process and method of Function Analysis

1) Framing the study subject, with identification of the main Stakeholders (customers, users and other duly selected stakeholders of the project in agreement with the decision-makers),

2) inventory, structuring and qualification / quantification of functions and expected performance,

3) research and evaluation of solutions (if required),

4) Contribution with Value Management and the core methods of Value Analysis, Value Engineering, Function Cost and Design to Cost or Design to Objectives.

d) clarifies the specific contributions to sectoral areas such that:

1) In the product dimension: an organization strategy, economic field, marketing, search for a Competitive Advantage , sustainable development, design and ergonomics,

2) In the process dimension: For example, Process Description, Skills Management, Innovation, Dependability, System Engineering, Risk Management, Asset Management,….,

3) At the managerial level, the formulation of the bases to make decisions. The scope includes presentation of guidance for identification, characterization, prioritization of functions.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to develop an autonomous normative document on Function Analysis, which is one of the core methods of Value Management.

Function Analysis is essential in the implementation of any Value Management approach or Value Analysis or Value Engineering action, whether formal or informal. An annex of the standard will present links related to methods used frequently in other areas e.g. Dependability, Risk Management ,Innovation, System Engineering, Asset Management, Security, Maintenance, and others. Function Analysis, as a method, is referenced in EN 12973: 2020 and EN 16271: 2012. Additionally, EU directives such as EU Public Procurement Directive 2014/24 and updates, have also encouraged the market in the wider use of the Functional Performance Specification.

The CEN/TC 279 Members propose, in accordance with priorities defined in its "Business Plan" to establish an autonomous normative document on Function Analysis to be the unifying document stipulating this core method of Value Management, for all interested Stakeholder categories (see §4).