A Systematic Review of Value Engineering Practices in Construction Projects in Tanzania

Abstract

Value engineering (VE) has become a vital component of construction management, improving project outcomes in terms of cost, time, quality, safety, environmental performance, stakeholder satisfaction and social value. This study systematically reviews VE practices to assess their applications, benefits, barriers, and future research directions, with emphasis on Tanzania’s construction industry. A structured search of Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar retrieved peer reviewed publications from 2005 to 2025, yielding about 70 sources, of which 32 highly relevant studies were analyzed in depth. The review shows that VE delivers quantitative benefits such as cost and time reduction, alongside qualitative gains including enhanced construction quality and better management through multidisciplinary teamwork. However, its adoption in Tanzania remains limited due to inadequate awareness, cost-driven procurement systems, and a shortage of trained VE professionals. This study further identifies critical success factors (CSFs) across VE phases, including effective project information preparation, cost-based comparison of design alternatives, systematic planning and implementation, and strong stakeholders support. It concludes by recommending the development of localized VE guidelines and increased awareness among clients and top management to enhance decision-making and promote wider VE adoption in Tanzania.