Empirical validation of a BEP-driven value engineering framework for enhancing design performance and project value

Abstract

This study aims to address the strategic gap in Building Information Modeling (BIM) implementation by developing and empirically validating a novel, process-based framework (BEP-V) that embeds Value Engineering (VE) directly into the BIM Execution Plan. The framework was empirically validated through a real-world case study of a mixed-use building in Taiz, Yemen. A dual-phase VE integration was applied: first, a Quality Model was structurally embedded during the early architectural programming phase to guide conceptual design. Second, BIM (Autodesk Revit) was used for automated data extraction, while the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied for multi-criteria evaluation of the generated alternatives. The empirical application validates that shifting VE to a mandated BEP workflow significantly enhances design performance. Early intervention via the Quality Model prevented low-value designs from the outset, while the subsequent AHP evaluation facilitated a data-driven facade optimization. This synergistic approach achieved a substantial 73.0% reduction in execution costs while maintaining acceptable thermal performance (U-value: 2.37 W/m²K) and high architectural quality. The framework provides AEC practitioners with a reproducible, value-driven digital roadmap. It proactively mitigates design errors, eliminates unnecessary costs and enhances multidisciplinary coordination from project inception through detailed design. This study transcends traditional tool-based BIM-VE integration by conceptualizing a strategic, process-based merger. It offers a paradigm shift in construction management, establishing the foundational digital governance required for future AI-driven and automated value optimization environments.