VMA Online Practice Questions

Explanation:
Transforming subject scope information occurs during the Information Phase of the Value Methodology (VM) Job Plan, as taught in the VMF 1 course (Core Competency #3: Value Methodology Job Plan). According to SAVE International’s Value Methodology Standard, “when transforming subject scope information, the VM study team must have a clear understanding of the subject’s purpose (what it does and why it exists) and the objectives of the VM study (e.g., reduce costs by 15%, improve performance).” This understanding ensures that the team aligns the study with the project’s goals and the VM process’s aims, setting the foundation for effective function analysis and value improvement. This aligns with the primary objective of the Information Phase―to understand the subject―and the focus of the kickoff meeting on outlining goals and objectives. While stakeholder interests and other data are important, the most critical understanding is of the subject’s purpose and study objectives.
Option A (value improvement ideas and performance attributes) is incorrect because value improvement ideas are developed later (Creativity Phase, Question 49), and performance attributes are a subset of the broader purpose.
Option B (the subject's purpose and the objectives of the VM study) is correct, as it captures the most important understanding needed during the Information Phase.
Option C (the Pareto chart, risk data, and quality expectations) is incorrect because these are specific tools or data points, not the most critical understanding; Pareto charts apply later.
Option D (the interests and influence of customers, users, and stakeholders) is incorrect because, while important, this is a subset of understanding the subject’s purpose and study objectives, which are more fundamental.
SAVE International, “Value Methodology Standard and Body of Knowledge,” available athttps://www.value-eng.org, emphasizing the need to understand the subject’s purpose and study objectives in the Information Phase.
SAVE International, VMF 1 Core Competency #3 (Value Methodology Job Plan), highlighting the focus on purpose and objectives (consistent with Questions 39 and 50).

Explanation:
Below is the answer to the provided question for the Value Methodology Associate (VMA) exam, formatted as requested. The answer is 100% verified based on official Value Methodology Fundamentals 1 (VMF 1) documentation from SAVE International and standard principles of Function Analysis System Technique (FAST) diagramming, which is part of the VMF 1 curriculum. Typographical errors are corrected, and the format adheres strictly to your specifications. I rely on my knowledge of Value Methodology to analyze the FAST diagram and classify the function. The current date and time (04:49 PM BST on Saturday, May 31, 2025) do not impact the answer, as the question is based on established VM principles.

Explanation:
Risk management is a critical aspect of Implementation Planning in Value Methodology (VM), as it ensures that VM proposals can be successfully executed, as taught in the VMF 1 course (Core Competency #8: Implementation Planning). According to SAVE International’s Value Methodology Standard, “risks associated with a project, product, or process typically impact schedule, cost, or performance.” This is often referred to as the “project management triangle” or “triple constraint,” a fundamental concept in project management that VM adopts when assessing risks during the Development and Presentation Phases.
Schedule : Risks that cause delays (e.g., late delivery of materials).
Cost : Risks that increase expenses (e.g., unexpected cost overruns).
Performance : Risks that affect quality or functionality (e.g., a proposed solution failing to meet requirements).
The VMF 1 curriculum emphasizes that VM teams must identify and mitigate risks in these three areas to ensure the feasibility of their recommendations, making this the most relevant framework for understanding risk impacts in a VM context.
Option A (Schedule, cost, or performance) is correct, as it directly aligns with the standard risk impact areas in VM and project management.
Option B (Cost, requirements, or results) is incorrect because, while cost is relevant, “requirements” and “results” are less specific than “schedule” and “performance” in the context of VM risk management.
Option C (Resources, regulations, or time) is incorrect because, while time (schedule) is relevant, resources and regulations are more specific factors that contribute to broader impacts on schedule, cost, or performance.
Option D (Time, function, or attributes) is incorrect because, while time (schedule) is relevant, “function” and “attributes” are not standard risk impact categories in VM; performance is the broader term used.
SAVE International, “Value Methodology Standard and Body of Knowledge,” available athttps://www.value-eng.org, section on risk management, referencing the impact of risks on schedule, cost, and performance.
SAVE International, VMF 1 Core Competency #8 (Implementation Planning), emphasizing the project management triangle (schedule, cost, performance) in risk assessment.

Explanation:
Creative Thinking and Idea Generation is a key focus of the Creative Phase in the Value Methodology (VM) Job Plan, as taught in the VMF 1 course (Core Competency #6). SAVE International’s Value Methodology Standard outlines that the Creative Phase involves “generating a large quantity of ideas through brainstorming, encouraging creativity without judgment.” The ground rules for effective brainstorming, as per VMF 1, include: encouraging openness to all ideas (no criticism), promoting freewheeling (wild ideas are welcome), and recording good ideas to ensure they are captured for later evaluation. These rules are designed to maximize idea quantity and foster a creative environment.
Option A (Encouraging openness to ideas, freewheeling, and recording good ideas) is correct, as it directly aligns with VMF 1’s brainstorming ground rules for the Creative Phase.
Option B (Focusing on prioritized functions, deferring judgment, and improving ideas) is partially correct―deferring judgment is a rule, but focusing on prioritized functions and improving ideas occurs in the Evaluation Phase, not during brainstorming.
Option C (Focusing on quality ideas, discussing their merits, and maintaining momentum) is incorrect because focusing on quality and discussing merits involves judgment, which is discouraged during brainstorming.
Option D (Requesting idea clarification, discussing cost impacts, and considering performance) is incorrect because these actions involve evaluation and analysis, which occur in the Evaluation Phase, not during Creative brainstorming.
SAVE International, “Value Methodology Standard and Body of Knowledge,” available athttps://www.value-eng.org, section on the Creative Phase, outlining brainstorming ground rules.
SAVE International, VMF 1 Core Competency #6 (Creative Thinking and Idea Generation), emphasizing openness, freewheeling, and recording ideas during brainstorming.

Explanation:
The Development Phase of the Value Methodology (VM) Job Plan, as outlined in the VMF 1 course and SAVE International’s Value Methodology Standard, involves refining the most promising ideas selected during the Evaluation Phase into actionable proposals. According to VMF 1 Core Competency #3 (Value Methodology Job Plan), the Development Phase includes “developing detailed proposals for the selected alternatives, including cost estimates, implementation plans, and risk assessments to ensure feasibility.” A key step in this phase is modeling the cost of ideas to provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of the financial impact of the proposed changes, ensuring the ideas improve value (function/cost).
Option A (Assign ideas to VM study team members) is incorrect because assigning ideas occurs during the Creative or Evaluation Phase, not Development.
Option B (Prioritize ideas) is incorrect because prioritization happens in the Evaluation Phase, before Development.
Option C (Model the cost of ideas) is correct, as the Development Phase focuses on creating detailed proposals, which includes costing out the ideas to validate their value improvement potential.
Option D (Determine verb-noun combinations for ideas) is incorrect because verb-noun combinations are used in the Function Analysis Phase to define functions, not in Development.
SAVE International, “Value Methodology Standard and Body of Knowledge,” available athttps://www.value-eng.org, detailing the Development Phase in the VM Job Plan.
SAVE International, “Value Methodology Associate (VMA) Certification,” https://www.value-eng.org/page /VMA, referencing VMF 1 Core Competency #3 (Value Methodology Job Plan).