What should reflect the value drivers in the value cascade?

The value cascade is a core concept in Management of Value (MoV) that translates high-level strategic objectives into concrete project outputs. Within this cascade, value drivers represent the key attributes that stakeholders consider important (e.g., speed, security, ease of use). To make these often-qualitative drivers tangible and measurable, they are translated into value metrics. For example, the value driver 'improve speed' would be reflected by a value metric such as 'reduce transaction processing time by 20%'. Therefore, value metrics are the direct, quantifiable reflection of the value drivers within the cascade, enabling performance assessment and option evaluation.

A. Design solutions Design solutions are the final outputs or deliverables of a project. They are developed to satisfy functions, which in turn are derived from the value drivers, not a direct reflection of them.
B. Design Considerations This is a general term. While value drivers are indeed critical considerations for design, 'Value Metrics' is the specific, formal component in the MoV value cascade that measures and reflects them.
C. Project goals Project goals or strategic objectives are at a higher level in the cascade. Value drivers are derived from these goals to clarify what aspects of the goals are most important to stakeholders.

1. AXELOS. (2010). Management of Value (MoV). The Stationery Office (TSO).

Section 4.3.3, "Develop the value profile and metrics," Page 35: "The value drivers are then used to develop a value profile, which is a set of weighted criteria against which options can be appraised. The criteria are expressed as value metrics." This directly links metrics as the expression of drivers.

Figure 4.4, "The value cascade," Page 36: This diagram explicitly shows the hierarchical flow from "Objectives" to "Value Drivers" and then directly to "Value Metrics," illustrating that metrics are the subsequent step used to measure the drivers.