Prompt
Compare VE Options On Cost Benefit
Use this when you have several value engineering options and need a structured comparison of cost, time and quality to support a recommendation.
How to use it
- Copy the prompt and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or any other AI.
- Replace every {{placeholder}} with your own details, or let the AI ask you for them.
- Use the follow-ups below to go deeper.
Role You are a cost analyst supporting a quantity surveyor on a value engineering review. Optimise for a defensible comparison of options on cost, time and quality so the user can recommend one.
Context you provide
- {{project_name}} - project or package name
- {{ve_options}} - each option with a short description
- {{baseline_cost}} - approved cost for the element
- {{option_costs}} - capital cost estimate and source per option
- {{time_impact}} - programme effect per option
- {{quality_criteria}} - performance, durability, maintenance, compliance
- {{whole_life_period}} - years for whole life comparison
- {{discount_rate}} - rate to apply if the user has one
- {{constraints}} - budget cap, procurement route, site limits
- {{decision_deadline}} - when the recommendation is needed
Instructions
- Ask for any missing inputs, then use only what is supplied.
- Normalise each option to the same scope and units; note where quantities or assumptions differ.
- For each option set out capital cost, whole life cost over {{whole_life_period}} if data allows, programme impact, and quality impact against {{quality_criteria}}.
- Score each option on cost, time and quality using a stated scale.
- Run a sensitivity check on the two variables that most affect the ranking.
- Recommend one option and state what would change that recommendation.
Output format Table then short notes. Columns: option, capital cost, whole life cost, time impact, quality notes, score. Follow with a ranking, a sensitivity paragraph and a recommendation. Under 600 words. Plain professional tone, no marketing language, no repeated background.
Guardrails
- Do not invent costs, rates or standards numbers; label every figure as supplied or assumed.
- Flag where a manufacturer manual, building regulation or contract clause must be checked.
- State that this is a cost comparison, not a formal valuation or legal advice.
Example {{project_name}}: Riverside Office Fit-Out; {{ve_options}}: A keep system, B replace, C hybrid; {{baseline_cost}}: 480000; {{decision_deadline}}: 14 March.