A thinking system (also called value management or value analysis) used to develop decision criteria when it is important to secure as much as possible of what is wanted from each unit of the resource used. The resource may be money, time, material, labor, space, energy, and so on. The system is unique in that it effectively uses both knowledge and creativity, and provides step-by-step techniques for maximizing the benefits from both. It promotes development of alternatives suitable for the future as well as the present. This is accomplished by identifying and studying each function that is wanted by the customer or user, then applying knowledge and creativity to achieve the desired function. Resources are converted into costs to achieve direct, meaningful comparisons. By using the methods of value engineering, 15 to 40% reduction in the required resources often results.