When is the right time for Value Analysis? This is the topic of the next VDI Value Talk on 8 October 2026 from 17:00 to 18:00. The session will be facilitated by Dr.-Ing. Jörg Marchthaler.
Value Analysis is an effective tool for optimising products, processes and services. In practice, however, a preliminary question often arises: is it worth using for this product, in this project phase and with this team – and what criteria should that decision be based on?
A Maturity-Based Approach from Practice
In her keynote talk, Carolin Prager, Cost Engineer at Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, provides practical insights into a structured maturity-based approach. It is used to derive recommendations for applying Value Analysis in the development process. The talk also covers how the method can be meaningfully integrated into existing development and business processes.
Carolin Prager is a voluntary member of the Value Management/Value Analysis Division of the VDI Society for Product and Process Design, co-author of several VDI guidelines and spokesperson for the regional expert network in the VDI Bayern Nordost district association.
Facilitation and Discussion
Dr.-Ing. Jörg Marchthaler facilitates the Value Talk and the subsequent discussion. The emphasis is on the exchange of experience among participants – the Value Talk is explicitly not a training event.
- Date: 8 October 2026, 17:00–18:00, online
- Target audience: specialists and managers from development, product management and process management in all industries, cost and value engineers, and anyone who wants to apply Value Analysis strategically and with reliable processes
- Participation: free of charge and exclusively for VDI members; according to the VDI, non-members can take advantage of a free trial membership
- Registration: via the VDI event page
If you would like to explore the question in advance, our article When Should Value Analysis Be Used? describes typical starting situations and criteria. How to prepare the selection of suitable products and projects systematically is described in the Project Potential Assessment.