Academic literature on the topic 'Quantity surveying'

The role and usefulness of strategic planning has been well documented over several decades of strategic management research. Despite the significant body of existing knowledge in the field of strategic planning, there remains a paucity of investigation into the construction sector, specifically in Professional Service Firms (PSF‟s) operating within it. The aim of this research was to ascertain the type, scope and extent of strategic planning within Irish Quantity Surveying (QS) practices and to ascertain the extent to which such processes correspond to strategic planning literature. This research was an exploratory study, undertaken in two phases in line with mixed methods employed for undertaking the study. The first, qualitative, phase involved in-depth semi-structured interviews with the principals of eleven QS practices of varying size. The second, quantitative phase, involved a widespread survey of every QS practice registered with the Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCS) in Ireland, for which a response rate of over 40% was achieved. The findings discover that the type, scope and extent of strategic planning within Irish QS practices vary with practice size and ownership structure. Distinct groups of practices are evident based on a number of strategic planning process characteristics, including formality, approach, participation, flow and planning horizon. Despite the absence of a systematic or formal process within smaller QS practices, it is clear that principals are thinking and acting strategically. These practices broadly follow strategic planning processes advocated in the literature, are mostly unaware that this is the case; however confirm that a more systematic strategic planning process is beginning to emerge, particularly in light of the severity of the current economic and construction industry downturn in Ireland. The findings of the research provide an important contribution towards addressing the significant gap in existing knowledge in this regard. The conclusions drawn are specific to the QS profession, the research has been designed such that it has potential to be applied to other PSF‟s within and outside the construction industry.

This thesis investigates client satisfaction and service quality in the quantity surveyingprofession. Whilst many reasons abound for dissatisfaction with the construction industry,this thesis focuses on client satisfaction with the provision of quantity surveyors' services. To this end, a greater understanding of the psychological processes involved in making a satisfaction decision is required and is achieved by the presentation of the theory of consumer satisfaction. It was found that consumer satisfaction is the result of meeting or exceeding expectation with performance. Furthermore, performance is not measured in technical terms, but as a result of client perceptions. Perceptions are at the heart of this thesis. This study investigates the relationship between client perceptions and quantity surveyors' perceptions of the same.

Performance and throughput rates at South African tertiary institutions are low, especially within the science, engineering and technology fields of study. The causes of this poor performance and throughput are difficult to predict, and incorrect assumptions are often made on which students are most likely to fail. The need to investigate this issue is vital in South Africa, where the contributing factors to poor performance and throughput are exacerbated by recent political and economic disparities in the diverse population. In order to better understand the issue within the built environment sector, this study evaluated the performance and throughput rates of fifteen first-year cohorts within the Department of Quantity Surveying at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The main aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the student population within the department, and to develop a framework for the future prediction of a student’s likelihood of success or failure. In order to achieve this objective, a retrospective longitudinal approach, i.e. a cohort study, was adopted. The study plotted the trends in performance and throughput rates over a period of time; it measured the strength of the relationships between several variables and performance and throughput; and it culminated in the establishment of predictors of performance and throughput rates. Ultimately, the prediction variables could be utilised in the development of influence diagrams as prediction frameworks. The research revealed that the performance and throughput rates of students in the department are improving. This highlights the importance of undertaking a narrow, departmental level analysis; as the findings in this smaller sphere do not match the general theory and assumptions covered in the literature.

Construction clients, particularly those with little or no previous experience of building projects, depend on the advice given by building professionals during the early design stages. Accurate advice regarding the estimated cost of the proposed project is fundamental, as this will determine the financial feasibility of the proposed project. All professionals give advice based on the information available to them at the time. Therefore, cost advisors need to have an accurate appreciation of the client's requirements from the building, before they can estimate the likely cost. Inexperienced building clients may have difficulty expressing their requirements, or understanding detailed technical information prepared by building professionals. This thesis addresses the problem of poor communication between clients and building professionals leading to mis-interpretation of mechanical and electrical (M&E) services requirements and inaccurate cost estimates. The research hypothesised that the cost of M&E services was related to the form and function of the building, and the quality of the M&E services required by the building client. It was believed that the required "quality" of the M&E services had a major cost implication, and therefore the production of an accurate cost estimate depended on an accurate understanding of the quality of M&E services required by the building client. The research examined existing method, of early cost estimating for M&E services, to establish how early cost estimates are prepared, and what type of information is considered. Detailed statistical analysis work was undertaken to examine relationships between various building form, parameters and M&E services costs, for buildings of different functions. M&E services quality was considered in relation to the function, performed by different systems, using the value engineering technique of function analyis and customer oriented function analysis system technique (FAST) diagrams method for improving early design stage communications developed, to improve the interpretation of M&E services quality requirements and lead to more accurate cost estimates. The method involved the introduction of a briefing workshop to consider functional requirements from the building, possible M&E services solutions, and interfaces between building structure and fabric and the M&E services. The proposed method was evaluated in the field. It was found to be a valid method of improving early design stage communications between clients and building professionals, that could lead to improved early cost advice for M&E services.

Large Private Quantity Surveying practices need to create strategies which anticipate the future business requirements of their existing and prospective clients. Traditionally, strategies have been formed by top managers, through a formal management process dominated by their analysis of markets, resulting in a plan of expected future management-controlled action. However, there is evidence that strategy-formation is more effective when it evolves through an informal approach, which elicits and utilises, in a coherent and effective manner, the strategic knowledge acquired by both top and middle managers. The development of strategic visions of the future is central to evolutionary approach.

The shortage of skilled quantity surveyors in South Africa can have a detrimental affect on the property sector, a sector that represents 70% of global wealth. It has been suggested that regardless of economic circumstances, quantity surveyors make a crucial contribution to the national and global economy (Wortmann, 2009). People of this profession have a profound influence on all levels of the property sector, on individuals and communities, small enterprises, global corporations and governments. Quantity surveyors therefore need to make an important contribution towards withstanding financial storms with their unique skills and expertise (Wortmann, 2009). The need for this study arose from the national and governmental demand for quantity surveyors and the concomitant need to identify factors contributing to the current alleged shortage. A survey was conducted by means of questionnaires that confirmed the alleged shortage of affordable, competent quantity surveyors. A mixed-methods approach was used to conduct an empirical exploration which included quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (comments and interviews) research. Qualitative responses to the questionnaire supported the quantitative results, which were analysed by means of a thematic content analysis. A mixed-melh6d approach constitutes both a method and methodology for conducting research that involves collecting, analysing, and integrating quantitative and qualitative research in a single study. The purpose of this form of research is that qualitative and quantitative research in combination provide a better understanding of a research problem or issue than either research approach alone; it allows for 'multiple angles' that provide different 'pictures'; and it is more naturalistic in the sense that 'its more intuitive' (by basically mirroring 'real life') (Creswell, 2008). The results confirmed the hypothesis that there is indeed a shortage of quantity surveyors in South Africa. Contributing elements were identified as: • Educational causes •such as mathematics training at school, lack of communication skills, business skills, level of standards of education, institutionsnot being accredited and a lack of educational personnel, exacerbated by a lack of academic and financial support. Also, many students do not pass the council exams. • Government legislation, BBEE interference, political interference, non-payment of professional fees by the government, and escalating crime rates are also problems in this regard. • Generation gaps causing communication and team and mentoring problems were identified, as well as competencies not receiving the attention these require before candidates register. • The marketing of the profession and study field to the private sector, the property sector, government and at school level should receive attention. • The quantity surveying profession not enjoying the protection it needs and quantity surveyors are not aware of the available protection measures. In the study it became clear that the quantity surveyor profession is under threat, as resources are limited and will become more limited as economic elements even out over the next few years. The educational problems should be addressed in cohesion with all the stakeholders of the build environment which includes Government. However, it is suggested that there is no single, short-term solution to the skills shortage. The previous government had a very successful resource based strategic plan until 1994, and it is recommended that this plan should be revisited and implemented to reduce the shortage of professional people as well as setting a higher standard for education.<br>Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010

It is the intention of this dissertation to determine the most influential factors affecting the accuracy of design · price forecasts. As a result of the lack of research relating to the accuracy design price forecasts in South Africa, quantity surveyors are unaware of the level of accuracy that they attain. It is proposed that an awareness of their forecasting accuracy.and the factors which affect will contribute towards enhanced performance. By means of an analysis of a sample of quantity surveyors estimates, the factors which exert the most significant influence over identified.