Collaborative multidisciplinary learning : quantity surveying students’ perspectives

The construction industry is highly fragmented and is known for its adversarial culture, culminating in poor quality projects not completed on time or within budget. The aim of this study is thus to guide the design of QS programme curricula in order to help students develop the requisite knowledge and skills to work more collaboratively in their multi-disciplinary future workplaces. A qualitative approach was considered appropriate as the authors were concerned with gathering an initial understanding of what students think of multi-disciplinary learning. The data collection method used was a questionnaire which was developed by the Behaviours4Collaboration (B4C) team. Knowledge gaps were still found across all the key areas where a future QS practitioner needs to be collaborative (either as a project contributor or as a project leader) despite the need for change instigated by the multi-disciplinary (BIM) education revolution. The study concludes that universities will need to be selective in teaching, and innovative in reorienting, QS education so that a collaborative BIM education can be effected in stages, increasing in complexity as the students’ technical knowledge grows. This will help students to build the competencies needed to make them future leaders. It will also support programme currency and delivery

Readiness of BIM: a case study of a quantity surveying organisation

Building Information Modelling (BIM), as an emerging enabling technology, is widely promoted in the UK. For Quantity Surveyor, BIM has the potential to remove many mundane elements of traditional quantity surveying, such as taking off and the production of Bills of Quantities (BoQ), by automating or assisting in these tasks removing human error, increasing efficiency and promoting collaboration. However implementation of BIM in the Construction Industry is not an easy task. This research aims to investigate the readiness of quantity surveying (QS) firms in the UK in implementation of BIM. The paper presents a case study of a SME QS organisation analysing its readiness to adopt BIM and evaluating perceived potential benefits. The case study is analysed at both organisation level and project level to explore the challenges the SME organisation facing inside and out. The key barriers are discussed and identified for SME quantity surveying organisations to implement BIM

Leadership approach to quantity surveying.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Professional Quantity Surveyors (QSs) play a leading role in the built environment by managing cost on projects such that the client achieves best value for money. The QS has had a long history where they emerged in England and later established in South Africa and have been renowned for their good work. However as time passed QSs have not met deadlines, and if they did, the quality of work has been substandard. This has brought the reputation of professional QSs into question. Further to diminished reputation the South African economy has been in a decline with the weakening of the rand and the QS profession needs higher profits and growth for organizational success, however this cannot be achieved singlehandedly. The key decision that companies need to make is the adoption of the correct leadership approach which subordinates believe in. This would inspire subordinates to align their personal objectives with that of the organization. This study is aimed at examining leadership and more specifically the two different leadership approaches in quantity surveying: transformational approach compared to a laissez-faire approach. It follows a brief look at the various leadership approaches and then an in-depth examination of the two approaches based on the quantity surveying profession. The research design was quantitative in nature and used Google Forms surveys which was distributed by email to 300 QS professionals in KwaZulu-Natal, with the aid of the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP). The response rate was 65% which was deemed fair to proceed with analysis of the data. A key finding was that the transformational leadership approach strengths in terms of project stages outweighed the laissez-faire approach and that there is a need for QS leaders to adopt this approach moving forward. Keywords: Leadership, transformational, laissez-faire, quantity surveyor

Extended Reality in Quantity Surveying

It is possible for cost professionals to prepare an informed and compendious cost plan by identifying all the factors that cause cost overruns, variations, safety hazards and others without having a significant prior experience. The implementation of Extended Reality can address this phenomenon. The paper aims to introduce the concept of Extended Reality in the field of quantity surveying by exploring its untapped potential and also looks to identify critical barriers in implementing this technology. A detailed review of literature study produced eight critical factors acting as barriers in successful implementation. With the suggestions from the industry professionals, the inter-relationship among these factors were established and prioritised using Interpretative Structural Modelling (ISM) tool. Further, these factors were categorised using MICMAC (Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification) analysis. This study identifies, lack of expertise and lack of suitable software as the key driving factors in successful implementation and all the remaining factors are directly or indirectly influenced by them. The sample size considered in building the ISM network is limited to the Indian construction industry. The disadvantages of Extended Reality have not been covered in the study. There may be several negative repercussions to human health due to this technology. This study can be used by industry professionals in understanding how advance technology like this can overcome many challenges pertinent to cost planning and estimation. This study stands out among the few research topics which contribute to reducing the knowledge gap among the cost professionals irrespective of their experience

Education, training and mentorship in pursuit of maturity in quantity surveying

The aim of this article is to determine whether professional quantity surveying firms are ready to meet the challenges facing them in respect of their responsibility towards the changing professional environment in terms of standards, education, professional development and training. Analysing the maturity of firms may assist the quantity surveying profession to establish its position and strategies. Results on project management maturity in South Africa, based on a research project conducted by the University of the Free State, in conjunction with the Wirtschafts Universität in Vienna in 2006 forms the basis of the article as well as the development of an education, training, mentorship and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) model to promote quantity surveying professional maturity. Training in the quantity surveying profession in pursuit of maturity and excellence should focus on core functions of the quantity surveyor; competence required for registration; the expected services or outcomes that the profession believes it should be able to offer the market, and narrowing the gap between academic and experiential learning components by encouraging professionals to enhance their skills through CPD. Generating standards, following the accreditation policy of the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP) and research facilitation were found to be important aspects for education in the quantity surveying profession in pursuit of maturity and excellence. A structured mentorship programme that addresses proactive development towards maturity should be introduced for the profession. The Education, Training, Mentorship and CPD model to achieve quantity surveying professional maturity, developed by one of the authors, may assist in bridging the gap between the providers of formal education and the providers of quantity surveying service to clients towards professional maturity

Dimensions of Organisational Culture in Quantity Surveying Firms in Nigeria

The functionalist paradigm of organisational culture (OC) views culture as a variable subject to conscious manipulation and control in order to solve organisational challenges. Therefore, this paper provides information on how OC is a solution to the challenges in Quantity Surveying firms (QSFs).  This was achieved by eliciting the dimensions of OC in forty two QSFs in Lagos, Nigeria, which are the business, people and external environment dimensions. The paper concludes that OC is a relevant solution to the identity and management related challenges in QSFs. Specifically, the paper informs on the implications of business and people dimensions of OC as a solution to the identity challenges, as well as on the implication of the external environment dimension of OC to the management challenges. Based on the findings, practical implications and recommendations were directed at the management and employees QSs in QSFs and Quantity Surveying researchers

A Proposed Strategic Framework for the Survival of the Quantity Surveying Profession.

Master Degree. University of KwaZulu- Natal, Durban.In response to the ever-increasing changes in the global business environment, professions must evolve. Quantity surveyors are not invulnerable to these changes as an array of challenges threatens the existence of the profession. The quantity surveying profession require urgent and far-reaching strategic transformation that will overcome their threats and weaknesses and embrace the strengths and opportunities of the profession to ensure they survive and remain relevant in the ever-changing construction industry. The purpose of this study is to analyse the survival of the quantity surveying profession using a SWOT analysis in an attempt to to define the key strengths and weaknesses of the quantity surveying profession based on professional consultants’ experience in the profession, determine the key opportunities and threats which are perceived to impact the quantity surveying profession significantly and to develop and apply a strategic framework that could be used by the quantity surveying profession. The positivist paradigm was used for this study. The researcher chose quantitative research in the form of questionnaires. The questionnaires were given to quantity surveyors who are members of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS). In addition, data was also collected from secondary sources such as literature reviews. A probability sampling method was chosen for this study. The desired method that will be used is the random sampling method. A total of 58 responses which were all usable (23.02%), were received specifically from members of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS). Central Limit theorm supported the response rate. The data will be analysed with SPSS using factor analysis and descriptive analysis. Reliability was ensured by using the Cronbach’s alpha while validity was tested by ensuring all questions on the questionnaire were identified by the comprehensive literature review which was then validated during the pilot study. Four catergories of strengths of the quantity surveying profession exist. The four catergories are the ability to plan and solve problems, core quantity surveying measuring skills, project viability and interpersonal skills. Three catergories of weaknesses of the quantity surveying profession exist. The three catergories are technical inadequacies of quantity surveyors, resistance to change and lack of knowledge of and about the profession. Three catergories of opportunities of the quantity surveying profession exist. The three catergories are alternate positions for quantity surveyors, the need for quantity surveyors and new and existing roles in and out of the profession. Three catergories of threats of the quantity surveying profession exist. The three catergories are lack of the quantity surveying profession to market itself where new roles require an advancement of core quantity surveying services, external factors that hinder the performance of the profession and the lack of quantity surveying skills in the new generation. This study categorised the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats with rankings being made within each category. In addition, through a strategic framework, the strengths of the quantity surveying profession can be used to minimise the threats of the profession and the weaknesses of the profession can be improved by taking advantage of the opportunities of the profession. Once the profession eliminates the weaknesses, they can avoid potential threats. Therefore, the profession can achieve sustained growth and remain relevant

An investigation into BIM based detailed cost estimating and drivers to the adoption of BIM in quantity surveying practices

Purpose Although studies have shown the relevance of BIM (Building Information Modeling) in cost estimating process, efforts at investigating BIM based detailed cost estimating among professional quantity surveyors through quantitative approach are scanty. The purpose of this study is to identify and examine the usage of BIM based detailed cost estimating software; and assesses the drivers to BIM adoption within the Nigerian quantity surveying consulting firms. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review, pilot study, and questionnaire survey were adopted. The survey targeted both the BIM users and non- BIM users’ quantity surveying consulting firms in Lagos, Nigeria. The data collected were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean score, standard deviation, Mann-Whitney test, and factor analysis. Findings The study found that 46.58% of quantity surveying consulting firms are aware of BIM and have adopted it for detailed cost estimating, while 49.32% of quantity surveying consulting firms are aware but have not adopted BIM based detailed cost estimating, and 4.10% of quantity surveying consulting firms are not aware at all. Also, the study identified various BIM based detailed cost estimating software used in quantity surveying practices and found that Microsoft excel is often used alongside 3D software; Autodesk QTO, Navisworks, Innovaya composer, and CostX respectively are prevalent BIM software used for detailed cost estimating. In addition, the study identified 21 drivers to the adoption of BIM in quantity surveying practices. The result of factor analysis grouped the 21 identified drivers into five principal factors: improved whole life cycle/design quality; enhanced decision and visualization; cost and time saving; marketing and support for quantity surveyor tasks; and government and client pressure. Practical implication This study provides significant insight into the application of BIM to quantity surveying consulting practices, thereby enables consultant quantity surveyors to make informed decisions to select BIM cost estimating software to suit their practices. Further, the study findings can be useful for individuals, clients’ and contractors’ quantity surveyors to be fully aware of the opportunities BIM could bring in relation to their service delivery. Originality/value Accurate cost estimating, effective cost monitoring and control are essential elements to a construction project success. This study further emphasized the importance of BIM to quantity surveying practices, particularly in the area of the detailed cost estimating