AMALAN IKTISAS II/PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE II SBQ2722 SPACE SEM1, 2008/2009

ROLES OF QUANTITY SURVEYOR IN FUTURE The Quantity Surveyor is a construction professional, he or she is qualified and adequately trained to advise on all aspects of construction cost, financial and contractual administration. He or she is an expert on the cost and management of construction projects, whether building, civil or heavy engineering. Throughout the world, Quantity Surveyors are working on projects as diverse as housing, commercial property developments, hospital, mosque, highway, dams and airports. There are more 1000 qualified Quantity Surveyor in Malaysia and few hundred more in training for the profession. The Quantity Surveyor is well trained to do and provide the traditional services such as cost estimating/planning, bills of quantities production, tender/contract documentation, interim payment valuations and final accounts preparation. These skills place Quantity Surveyor in a strong position to take a leading in cost and managerial role throughout the development of a project. For example, they are able to assess the implications of changes in design, site conditions and working arrangements and give the client accurate budget and time estimates. Their professional skills are highly respected and often achieve top managerial status. However, in the new millennium the quantity surveying profession will face more challenging than a decade ago. The traditional services have now been viewed as insufficient to cater for the changes and increasing demands in industry. The major changes and demands are : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Rapid improvement and changes in information technology, internet and computerization. Changes in the procurement systems. Clients demands and more sophisticated. Increase emphasis in management skills and services Multidisciplinary professionals/firms

The above changes and demands will be more imminent challenge for Quantity Surveyor in future. They must now prepare, gear up, extend and diversify their expertise and services to meet those challenges in order to stay ahead and be competitive. Quantity Surveyor should consider offering their services in other market sectors and industries rather than merely concentrating in the building and construction industry. In offering their services to other industries and widening their scope of services, Quantity Surveyor must upgrade their knowledge and skills, particularly in the economic, finance and management areas.

Ira Kartini Bt Abu Bakar

AMALAN IKTISAS II/PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE II SBQ2722 SPACE SEM1, 2008/2009

The RICS QS Think Tank (1998), recommended that Quantity Surveyor would need to: 1. 2. Develop strong communications and IT skills. Gain detailed knowledge of the business sectors of their clients

3. Develop systems that can accurately forecast costs early in the development process. 4. Gain expertise in procurement based upon a detailed understanding of production techniques, supply chain and development process. 5. Manage (rather than monitor) cost and the capacity to understand the balance of time, quality and cost both at inception and during construction including services. 6. 7. 8. Ability to offer advice on specialist areas i.e. M & E and IT services. Develop skills to manage and promote themselves effectively. Become champions of finance and propriety.

9. Improving education, training and entry level to meet the challenges likely to be met by individuals and firms. 10. Provide keen support to CIDB efforts in promoting and reuniting the fragmented industry. The new scope of services which a Quantity Surveyor can offer and specialise in, provided he and she need to have the sufficient relevant training, skills and/or experience are as follows : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Enhanced Building scope complete with M&E and IT services Building Maintenance Oil and Gas industries Software Programmer/Sales Project/Construction Management Risks/Claims Management Arbitration/Mediation Construction law/Legal Practice Insurance

Ira Kartini Bt Abu Bakar

AMALAN IKTISAS II/PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE II SBQ2722 SPACE SEM1, 2008/2009

The following briefly outlines of the aforesaid services with the experiences, responsibilities and duties of the author when involved on Property and Building Maintenance at Perodua Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, a short but valuable experience in Oil and Gas industries as Cost Engineer at APH Petroleum Hub and now to gain experience in Project Cost Management by promoted the sophisticated software to suit the project need and the continuously services/advisor. QS to include the M&E and IT Network services For a start, Quantity Surveyor should consider offering their services in full range of building and construction industries. One sector where many Quantity Surveyor leave to other professionals is the mechanical & electrical and information technology, networking services. Normally, QS prepare and provide the traditional services only for Building work not include M&E and IT works which prepared by M&E and IT consultant. In offering a full package of Building services include M&E and IT networks services, QS need to upgrade their knowledge particularly in specifications, method of fixing, wiring, tools, material and equipment and the most important prices in the market. QS need to have a good relationship with the other design consultants such as M&E and IT consultant and good suppliers to get the best quantities, materials, equipments and rate to produce cost estimating, bills of quantities and tender/contract documentation. There is an advantage to client if QS can provide the traditional services for full scope of Building works : 1. 2. 3. 4. More accurate cost estimate for the project Quality & itemized BQ for M&E and IT Project Cost easy to control by QS/Client No more PC sum and Provisional sum (Clients money saved) QS provide Building Maintenance Services (after DLP) QS can offer their prolongation services on building maintenance provided they may need to keep a good relationship and reputation to the client. QS firms must have their own contractors and suppliers which listed/registered and capable to do the maintenance works and are usually in fast track whenever client needed. Normally, building maintenance involved in changing door, painting works, replace not functioning part, equipment & furniture, minor renovation such as to extend/add room, roof coverage and tiling works. Alternatively, those QS who are interested can offer their Client a comprehensives maintenance bills of quantities and/or make a contract agreement included the materials rate, dismantle & fixing cost, labour and machinery. The contract between Client and Contractor can be renewing every 2 years or can be tendered again as normal process in traditional method. The advantage of this type of services is QS can have a long term/lifetime project in hand and can ensure their survival by widening the range of services rather than stick to the knitting syndrome i.e offering traditional services only.

Ira Kartini Bt Abu Bakar

AMALAN IKTISAS II/PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE II SBQ2722 SPACE SEM1, 2008/2009

QS in oil and gas industries Other industries such as petrochemical/oil and gas can offer tremendous opportunities for Quantity Surveyor to explore and tailor their services to meet the clients requirements in such industries. For example, in the oil and gas industry a cost engineer and contract engineer performs similar function and role as a Quantity Surveyor. The author do involved in these industries for less than a year and found that the traditional services are still used as outline/frame and the most method are using is design and build. Through such design and build contract/method, client can save more time and money, provided in oil & gas industries the longer time used the more money will be lost and the lost can reach a millions in a day. So, the major/important task of a QS or Cost Engineer in oil and gas industries is to coordinate and manage the time and cost to ensure the efficient and effective deployment/flow to meet the SIPOC or flowchart and meet the clients requirement. QS must take a consideration to have the expertise and ability to venture into this industries provided a QS must have the interest to gain new knowledge and get familiar in the new things such as pipelines construction, ashore, tankers, big steel plate, bridge, jetty, reclaimed island and others. Usually, QS need to liase with supplier from the others country to get a quotations and specifications as QS must be able to communicate and understand with the foreign language and familiar with the moneys convertor. The advantage of this industries is the big salary and fees level that QS can earn compare to the traditional building constructions industries and the disadvantage so far that the author can feel is the pressure and responsibility are also big too.

Ira Kartini Bt Abu Bakar