SAVE International CVS Exam Questions

The correct answers are A. Review VM proposals and C. Rewrite VM proposals. During the Development Phase, selected ideas are converted into formal VM proposals with enough documentation for decision makers to determine whether implementation is justified. SAVE's VM Standard Reference states that, in this phase, the VM study team develops selected ideas into VM proposals with sufficient documentation for implementation decisions.

The facilitator's role is not to become the technical author or researcher for each proposal. Instead, the facilitator manages the process, maintains consistency, reviews proposal quality, checks clarity, confirms that required elements are included, and helps revise or rewrite proposal narratives so they are understandable, complete, and decision-ready. This aligns with the facilitator's broader duty to lead the multidisciplinary VM process, keep the team disciplined within the Job Plan, and ensure outputs support value-based decisions. SAVE describes VM as a systematic process used by a multidisciplinary team led by a qualified VM facilitator.

Option B is incorrect because proposal preparation is primarily the responsibility of assigned team members or technical specialists. Option D is incorrect because background research is normally performed by the proposal owner or subject-matter experts, not by the facilitator as a primary role.

Reference/topics: Development Phase; VM Proposal Development; VM Facilitator Role; Proposal Review and Revision; VM Job Plan.

The correct answers are C and D. A useful Work Breakdown Structure converts project or study information into a structured breakdown of the total scope. In VM program planning, this supports clearer control of deliverables, responsibilities, schedule logic, and implementation follow-up. The WBS is not simply a chronological activity list; it is a structured decomposition of the work into defined, manageable elements. This aligns with standard project-management guidance that describes the WBS as a hierarchical breakdown of project work into smaller components or work packages. (Atlassian)

Option C is correct because identifying major milestones or high-level outputs and then decomposing them into manageable elements is a practical way to convert broad study information into usable work packages. Option D is also correct because breaking the project into defined elements is the core purpose of the WBS.

Option A is incorrect because chronological sequencing belongs more to scheduling, not WBS construction. Option B is incorrect because cost estimating may use the WBS later, but the WBS itself should be organized around scope, deliverables, and work elements rather than cost first. PMI also treats the WBS as a foundational project-control structure. (Project Management Institute)

Reference/topics: VM Programs; Work Breakdown Structure; Implementation Planning; Project Scope Decomposition; Deliverable Control.

The correct answers are A, D, and E. A RACI matrix is a facilitation and stakeholder-management tool used to clarify how individuals or stakeholder groups participate in activities, tasks, deliverables, or decisions. In VM practice, this supports the facilitator's responsibility to coordinate participation, communication, and accountability across the multidisciplinary study environment. The SAVE Study Guide emphasizes that VM is performed through a systematic process by a multidisciplinary team and that proper stakeholder participation is necessary to capture real needs versus wants and achieve maximum value. ()

A RACI matrix identifies the level of stakeholder involvement in activities by assigning roles such as Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed. It also identifies stakeholders required to provide feedback, which aligns with the Consulted role. Cornell's RACI definition describes Consulted parties as people whose opinions are sought and who provide knowledge or information before a decision is made. It also describes Informed parties as stakeholders kept updated on progress, process execution, and quality. (it.cornell.edu) Therefore, the matrix also helps identify what reasonable information should be provided to stakeholders. Threats and opportunities belong to risk or SWOT analysis, while weighted performance attributes belong to criteria weighting or evaluation methods.

Reference/topics: VM Facilitation; Stakeholder Engagement; Communication Planning; Team Roles and Responsibilities; RACI Matrix.

The correct answers are A and B because both are facilitator responsibilities performed during the Pre-Workshop / Preparation Phase. The SAVE study guide defines this stage as the point where the team must ''Plan and organize the Value Study'' and asks the fundamental question: ''What has to be done to prepare for a Value Study?'' Its listed activities include obtaining project data, collecting key documents such as scope definitions, drawings, specifications, reports, estimates, gathering customer/user information, distributing information to team members, developing the study schedule, and determining dates, times, location, and logistical needs. (cdn..com)

Therefore, compiling information for use in the Information Phase is a proper facilitator task. Likewise, developing a high-level agenda or schedule and reviewing it with the client for concurrence is consistent with the preparation requirement to establish scope, objectives, timing, logistics, roles, responsibilities, and management expectations before the workshop begins.

Option C is incorrect because Implementation occurs after the workshop when accepted alternatives are reviewed, action plans are assigned, and changes are tracked. (cdn..com) Option D is incorrect because identifying project functions is principally a Function Analysis Phase team activity, not a facilitator pre-workshop decision. (cdn..com)

Reference/topics: Preparation Phase; Pre-Workshop Activities; Information Phase Readiness; VM Facilitation and Team Dynamics.

The correct answer is C. Coarse, medium, and fine filters. In the VM Job Plan, the Evaluation Phase converts the large number of ideas generated during the Creativity Phase into a smaller, rationally selected group of ideas suitable for Development. SAVE's Value Methodology Standard states that the Evaluation Phase uses a structured evaluation process to select ideas with potential for value improvement while still delivering required functions and respecting performance requirements and resource limits. ()

The SAVE International Core Competencies directly classify Evaluation Phase techniques as coarse filter, medium filter, and fine filter methods. These appear under ''Apply Evaluation Techniques,'' with coarse filters representing simple screening, medium filters supporting intermediate comparison, and fine filters supporting more detailed evaluation before ideas move into development. ()

Option A, weighted evaluation, can be part of a detailed or fine-filter evaluation, but it is not the complete filtering approach named in the CVS/VM Guide framework. Options B and D are more closely associated with idea generation or creative stimulation, not the primary structured filtering process of the Evaluation Phase.

Reference/topics: Evaluation Phase; Apply Evaluation Techniques; Coarse Filter; Medium Filter; Fine Filter; Idea Selection.