The correct answer is A. Carpet $120,000 . This question applies life-cycle cost comparison , which is commonly used in the Development Phase when VM alternatives are being analyzed for economic feasibility and owner value. The better value option is not determined by the lowest initial cost alone; it must include installed cost, maintenance cost, recurring service cost, and service life impacts.
For carpet:
Installed cost = 1,000 sq. m × $30 = $30,000 .
Vacuum maintenance = $500/month × 12 months × 10 years = $60,000 .
Annual shampoo = $3,000/year × 10 years = $30,000 .
Total carpet life-cycle cost = $30,000 + $60,000 + $30,000 = $120,000 .
For vinyl over a comparable 10-year ownership period:
Installed cost = 1,000 sq. m × $10 = $10,000 .
Vacuum maintenance = $400/month × 12 × 10 = $48,000 .
Strip and wax = $1,000/month × 12 × 10 = $120,000 .
Total vinyl cost = $178,000 .
Although vinyl has a lower initial cost, its recurring monthly strip-and-wax cost makes it more expensive.
Therefore, carpet provides the better value.
References/topics: Development Phase; Life-Cycle Costing; Economic Evaluation; Alternative Comparison; Owner Value.

The correct approaches are A, B, and D because the facilitator's role in the Evaluation Phase is to keep the team in a structured, objective decision process rather than prematurely discarding ideas or resetting the workshop. SAVE's Value Methodology Standard defines the Evaluation Phase as the point where the team uses a structured process to select ideas with value-improvement potential while considering project functions, performance requirements, and resource limits. ( ) When consensus is difficult, the facilitator should first clarify the idea. Modifying the idea title can remove ambiguity, improve shared understanding, and ensure the team is evaluating the same concept. Asking for more information is also appropriate because disagreement often reflects insufficient technical, cost, risk, or implementation detail.
The facilitator must also ensure that every team member has provided input, since VM relies on multidisciplinary team judgment and stakeholder expertise. The Standard identifies the team as a multidisciplinary group chosen for relevant expertise and experience, including different points of view. ( ) Removing the idea is premature unless it clearly fails criteria, and restarting the evaluation process is unnecessary unless the entire evaluation basis is invalid.
References/topics: Evaluation Phase; VM Facilitation; Team Consensus; Structured Evaluation; Idea Clarification.

The correct answers are B and D . An effective evaluation framework in Value Methodology must be structured, objective, and aligned with the subject's purpose. The SAVE Value Methodology Standard describes the Evaluation Phase as the point where the team follows a structured process to select ideas with value-improvement potential while delivering required functions and considering performance requirements and resource limits. ( ) Therefore, the facilitator and team must first define clear objectives and success criteria that align with the study subject's goals. Evaluation cannot be based on preference alone; criteria should connect to function, performance, cost, schedule, risk, quality, user needs, and implementation feasibility. Involving stakeholders is also appropriate because stakeholders help confirm whether the evaluation criteria reflect actual project, customer, owner, or user priorities. Their participation improves acceptance of selected ideas and reduces resistance during later development and implementation.
Option A is incorrect because the Creativity Phase is intended for generating ideas, not judging them.
Introducing evaluation too early suppresses divergent thinking. Option C is incorrect because a "gut feel index" is informal and subjective, while VM requires disciplined, traceable evaluation methods.
References/topics: Evaluation Phase; Evaluation Criteria; Stakeholder Engagement; VM Job Plan; Structured Idea Screening.