Free Practice Questions for SAVE International CVS Exam

Answer : B, D

The correct answers are B and D. A RACI matrix is most appropriate when the VM facilitator needs to clarify involvement, responsibility, accountability, consultation, and communication among participants or stakeholders. In the SAVE International Value Methodology Core Competencies, the RACI matrix is listed under the Information Phase as a method used to transform information, while process flowcharts are listed separately as a different technique. This distinction is important because a RACI matrix does not map process sequence; it clarifies roles and involvement.

A RACI chart defines who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for project tasks, and it is used to reduce confusion, improve communication pathways, and establish clear ownership. (Atlassian) Therefore, it directly addresses communication gaps and misunderstood concepts related to who should act, decide, advise, or be kept informed.

Option A is incorrect because process-flow issues are better handled with a process flowchart. Option C is incorrect because validated assumptions do not require role clarification; they are already confirmed information.

Reference/topics: Information Phase; RACI Matrix; Methods to Transform Information; VM Facilitation; Stakeholder Communication.

Answer : C, D

The correct answers are C. Break problems into sub-problems and D. Utilize mind-mapping techniques to visualize connections. In the Creativity Phase, the VM team generates alternative ways to perform the selected functions. SAVE's VM guidance describes this phase as a quantity-focused idea-generation activity where ideas are developed without judgment, habit, assumed restrictions, or premature feasibility screening. (UW Courses)

Discursive creativity techniques are structured, logical, and systematic. They help the team move through the problem deliberately rather than relying only on spontaneous brainstorming. Breaking problems into sub-problems is appropriate because it allows the facilitator to separate a complex function, process, or constraint into smaller idea-generation targets. This improves coverage and prevents the team from treating the problem too broadly. Mind-mapping is also appropriate because it visually organizes relationships among functions, causes, ideas, constraints, and possible solution paths.

Option A is incorrect because focusing on the most feasible ideas belongs to the Evaluation Phase, not Creativity. Option B is a useful facilitation rule, but it is not specifically a discursive creativity technique.

Reference/topics: Creativity Phase; Discursive Creativity Techniques; Idea Generation; Function-Based Alternatives; Evaluation Phase Boundary.

Answer : A, D

The correct answers are A and D. In the Creativity Phase, the VM team deliberately moves beyond the current design, process, or solution and generates alternative ways to perform the required functions. SAVE's Value Methodology Standard defines the Creative Phase as the point where the team uses creative techniques to identify other ways to perform the project's functions.

Envisioning the ideal promotes innovation because it removes premature constraints and helps the team imagine the best functional outcome before judging feasibility, cost, or implementation difficulty. This supports divergent thinking, which is essential during Creativity. Modifying what currently exists also promotes innovation because many value-improving ideas are produced by adapting, improving, simplifying, combining, or changing an existing concept rather than inventing a completely new one.

By contrast, maintaining existing solutions does not promote innovation because it preserves the current approach and limits alternative thinking. Testing old combinations is also not the best answer because the Creativity Phase is focused on generating possibilities, not testing or validating them. Testing, screening, and ranking belong more naturally in the Evaluation Phase.

Reference/topics: Creativity Phase; Creative Thinking; Alternative Generation; Function-Based Innovation; VM Job Plan.

Answer : B, D, E

A VM study report is the formal documentation of the value study process, findings, alternatives, and supporting rationale. The correct inclusions are workshop agenda and team members, summary of the VM Job Plan, and the ideas generated with their evaluation. The SAVE VM Standard identifies the Job Plan as the structured framework for a valid study, and the Presentation Phase requires the team leader or facilitator to develop a report and/or presentation that documents and conveys the alternatives and value improvement opportunity. (cdn..com)

A report should therefore preserve the administrative record of the study, including agenda, attendance, team composition, and study process. It should also summarize how the Job Plan was followed, because the Job Plan is the disciplined sequence that gives the study validity. The creative and evaluation outputs are also reportable because ideas are generated in the Creative Phase and then screened through a structured Evaluation Phase to identify value-improvement potential.

Design plans and specifications are source information used during preparation/information gathering, but they are not normally reproduced as core VM study-report content. The VM presentation may be related to the report, but it is not the best answer as a typical internal report section.

Reference/topics: Presentation Phase; VM Study Report; VM Job Plan; Creative Phase; Evaluation Phase; Study Documentation.

Answer : A, C

The correct answers are A and C. In the Creativity Phase, the VM team generates alternative ways to perform the required functions identified during Function Analysis. The atmosphere must support open participation, free thinking, and non-defensive contribution. Encouraging all team members to participate is essential because Value Methodology relies on a multidisciplinary team, not on one dominant expert. SAVE describes VM as a systematic process used by a multidisciplinary team led by a qualified facilitator to improve project value. (Value Engineering)

The second correct answer is defer judgment of ideas to the Evaluation Phase. During creativity, ideas should be generated first and evaluated later. Early criticism reduces participation, blocks unusual ideas, and weakens team energy. The SAVE certification study material identifies Creativity as a distinct Job Plan phase before Evaluation, meaning idea generation and idea judgment are intentionally separated. ()

Option B is incorrect because limiting each member to five ideas reduces quantity and restricts creative flow. Option D is also incorrect because selectively recording ideas introduces premature screening. In effective VM facilitation, all ideas are captured first, then screened in the Evaluation Phase.

Reference/topics: Creativity Phase; Evaluation Phase; VM Facilitation; Team Dynamics; Brainstorming Ground Rules.