In engineering application heuristics are widely used for discrete optimization tasks. We report two cases (in Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing and High Level Synthesis), where a recent “intelligent” heuristic (STAGE) performs excellently by learning a value-function of the states. We have found that if a global structure of local minima is found by the function approximator then search t...

Value Engineering (VE) techniques based on function have been the means to improved products and processes for several decades. It is a social design methodology that is usually episodic in application and often confused with narrow interests, such as cost cutting. This paper addresses the role, or function, of VE in a larger model of design practice to give insight into its use, non-use and mi...

the use of value engineering (ve) methodology in construction industry has grown significantly, mainly in view of its extensive benefits. the main task in evaluation phase of ve workshop is to assess alternative ideas, proposed for each function. this phase of ve, hence, could be deemed as a multi criteria decision making (mcdm) problem. this paper presents a fuzzy decision support system (dss)...