The key role of quantity surveyors for

public sector organisations

In the previous section, a comprehensive description of quantity surveyors
competencies inthe both private and public sectors has been provided. As it
was analysed the most importantaspect in the financial crisis is cash flow and
credit which are indispensable on theconstruction industry. It is essential to
control and manage these key factors in order torecover the current crisis
specially in the public sector because firstly, public sector dealswith the
public fund and governmental budget, secondly, mostly the public sector
projects arethe public vital needs such as hospitals, roads and schools; and
finally, the public sectorprojects are often large scale ones and associated
with the intensive capital and budget.Therefore the quantity surveyors can
play an important role with their knowledge and skills.It is unlikely that a
project can be successful without effective reasoned advices and
efficientconsultancies of a quantity surveyor during the whole lifecycle of the
project.The quantity surveyor influences on each stage of the public sector
projects with his relevantcore and extended competencies. These include
the following stages:Pre-design stage:

At this stage, the client develops the concept, undertake a feasibility study
and prepare anoutline cost plan. An outline brief is then prepared after
studying various options for theproject. The brief is then developed which
includes the clients requirements such as costlimits, time limits and
functionality of the project. (Egbu, 2009)The knowledge and skills of the
quantity surveyors that can be useful at this stage are:

Project Evaluation: this competency is comprised development appraisal,

investmentappraisal, cost benefit analysis and financial aspects of feasibility
study. The quantitysurveyors have comprehensive knowledge of the various
elements of the feasibility

Importance of the Quantity Surveyors for public sector organisations

study and development appraisal and the factors that can affect them.
Theirunderstanding of techniques used to assess financial viability, enable
them to advisethe clients on the economics of design, on the use of value
management and on howto consider risks associated with the project.
13

Design economics and cost planning: quantity surveyors can give strategic
andreasoned advice to the clients on diversity of market factors and trends in
constructioncost. They have knowledge of the main parameters that affect
design economics overthe whole life cycle of projects and thus they can
assist in the financial control of projects from feasibility to design completion
by evaluating the efficiency of thedesign. They prepare preliminary estimate
and cost plans at this stage; and analyse theaccuracy of predicted cost.

Procurement advice: quantity surveyor is regarded as advisor or experts on

selectionof procurement methods and the advantages and disadvantages of
each to the partiesinvolved. They therefore have a clear knowledge of the
main types of procurementused in the public sector and also ancillary
processes such as partnering andframework agreements. They can evaluate
the appropriateness of various procurementrouts and implementing them.
( RICS, 2008)Design stage:

During this stage, design team develop the brief into drawings and
specifications. Client isinformed of possible cost changes and can then
change items of the design to reduce costs oraccept the increased figure.
(Egbu, 2009)The following competencies are used during this stage by
quantity surveyors:

Construction technology and environmental service: understanding

and knowledge of different stage of design from inception to completion is
one of the quantitysurveyors competencies that can be used during the
design stage. Quantity surveyorsadvise on the impact of different design
solutions on cost and programme. Theyappreciate how design solutions vary
for different types of buildings; thus can giveeffective advice on the choice
of design solution for projects

Contract management: this competency covers the role and responsibility of

asurveyor managing the construction contracts. Quantity surveyors have
detailedknowledge of the contractual provisions relating to the various
standard forms of contracts. They can advise on the most appropriate
contractual procedure at thevarious stages of a contract and then evaluate the
appropriateness and implication of proposed contractual amendments. They
assess entitlement for extension of time, lossand expenses; finally giving
advice to clients of their contractual rights andobligations. ( RICS, 2008)

Value management:
employers are now looking for achieving improved value formoney. Values of a project vary
from perspective of each parties involved in the project.In the public sector projects, values
are not only the cost and commercial aspects. Otherfactors such as aesthetic aspects,
sustainability issues, extendibility and easy-remodellingcapability should be taken into
account and by considering of the fact that value is relatedto cost; quantity surveyors
therefore are involved in the value management. QuantitySurveyors have the potential to act
as the Value engineering coordinator, the key personin the team and also in their traditional
role as cost consultant..... Value engineeringprovides a method of integration in the building
process that no other managementstructure in construction can provide...Value engineering
complements ProjectManagement. (Kelly
et al.,
1998)
- Construction stage:
At this stage, execution and control of all site work and associated activities are carried out. Site
supervisors monitor the project to ensure the project is constructed as per the contract
documentation. The clients representative meanwhile is responsible for the management of all
aspects of the construction stage, including monitoring the work of the design leader and
supervisor. (Egbu, 2009). Presence of quantity surveyors has the significant affect on the project.
The following skills and knowledge can lead the project to the best and optimal rout:
Quantification and costing of construction works: this competency includes the measurement,
valuation and definition of construction works in order to value and control costs which is another
important part of quantity surveyors work. Surveyors carry out the quantifying and pricing
construction works at various stages of projects; using their thorough knowledge of the various
standard methods of measurement and also have this ability to advise clients on appropriate
method of measurement and costing.
Conflict avoidance, management and dispute resolution management: this skill is comprised the
procedure and techniques for conflict avoidance, conflict management and dispute resolutions.
The quantity surveyor has an in-depth knowledge of how various forms of contract deal with
dispute avoidance and their provisions for resolving disputes. They can give advice on law
governing conflict avoidance and management and can assist clients by their knowledge of
dispute resolution procedure within construction process including: negotiation, mediation and
conciliation, adjudication, arbitration, independent expert determination and litigation.
(RICS,2008)
Commercial management of construction: quantity surveyors have a thoroughly understanding
of the financial processes used to achieve profitability and how these
Importance of the Quantity Surveyors for public sector organisations 16

processes integrate with the overall delivery of the project. They are aware of techniques to
reconcile the cost against income and therefore manage sub-contractors and suppliers financially.
They evaluate and advise on the financial implications and appropriate management actions.
Monitoring, analysing, reporting and advising on project cash flow and profitability are the other
quantity surveyors competencies that clients can benefit from.
Project management:. The quantity surveyor is not only regarded as a building or a civil
engineering estimator but he is also can be appointed as project manager, to take control of the
project from inception to completion and to organise the work of the design team and the main
contractor and subcontractors. (Seeley, 1997). Basically, management of project starts from
design stage and continues through construction stage of project. Knowledge of risk management,
planning and programming enable a quantity surveyor to be appointed as a project manager.
Ability of a quantity surveyor to identify risks associated with the project and his knowledge of
the strategies to eliminate or mitigate them are the key competencies for managing a project.
( RICS, 2008)
- Post-construction (Use) stage:
At this stage, project is handed over and information for feedback is obtained. Although almost
all design and construction parties are not involved in this stage, quantity surveyors still can play
a key role during this stage by the following competencies:
Life-cycle cost advice: life cycle cost of a project is defined as the whole life cost of the project
from the very beginning phase through post-construction and use phase including maintenance
and service costs. However, the major part of life cycle cost is related to use
Importance of the Quantity Surveyors for public sector organisations
phase when the project is commissioning and operating. It is wholly dependent on the
functionality of that project, for example, life cycle cost of a dwelling house is completely
different from a workshop even though their design and construction cost were the same. As the
life cycle cost of a project does not appear before operation and use phase, it does not affect on
the design and construction stage therefore usually it is not considered during these phases.
However, as mentioned before, the major cost of a project is likely to be related to the postconstruction cost and thus has a significant impact on projects; especially in the public sector due
to the nature in which provides services to public such as schools, hospitals, health centres and so
on. Hence it is essential for public sector projects to consider the maintenance and service and
generally life cycle cost of them. Quantity surveyors have the competency to estimate and
evaluate the lifecycle/whole life cost of a project. They carry out life cycle cost exercises which
take account of value management, value engineering, risk management and sustainability issues.
Finally, quantity surveyors have an important role in improving the effectiveness of managing the
public projects by their knowledge of processes associated with project, information and
knowledge management. Skills of quantity surveyors in the field of contractual policy, by the
application of such techniques as serial tendering, early contractor selection, and statistical
measurement of price movement and effective mechanisms of budgetary control, all play a large
part in the survival of public sector from the current financial crisis. (RICS, 1973)Importance of
the Quantity Surveyors for public sector organisations 18

5. Conclusion
Quantity surveyors have an essential part to play in increasing the efficiency of construction work
and reducing confrontation by securing that the most appropriate procurement method is
appointed, providing effective cost control procedure and ensuring value for money at all times.
They minimise the potential omission by allocation risk and identifying the value-adding
activities in the project. Quantity surveyors operate a wide range of competencies outside the
traditional quantity surveying activities. The extended skills of quantity surveyors such as project
management and value management also help clients to achieve their needs and expectations.
(Seeley, 1997) in the current financial crisis which cash flow and credit are paramount factors for
clients, an effective project management is essential, thus completion of project on stipulated time
and within determined budget is important specially in the public sector which deal with the large
scaled projects and intensive capital. Quantity surveyors have this capability to secure success of
the projects by their effective technical and financial advices and thus have vital contribution in
economic recovery.

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