Research and the QS–

Experience and perceptions

By:
QS Dr Mushumbusi Z. Medard (+255 789 575143)
KAMU Cost Engineering Centre
P.O. Box 35442 Dar es Salaam (T)
E: Medard_99@yahoo.com
&
Qs Dr Muhumuza K. John (+256 753 615 388)
Member, Institution of Surveyors of Uganda
P.O. Box 4909, Kampala (U)
E: jkmuhumuza@outlook.com
 THE PAPER

1.Introduction
2.Theoretical Framework (the profession,
challenges in the CI the Research front )
3.Methodology
4.Results and Discussion
5.Conclusion and Recommendations
2
 WHO IS A QS

A link (wo)man to all other professionals

in all matters of cost so that any
adopted design alternative is evaluated
to be within the required cost target.

3
 Centrality of a QS
More coordinated Scarcity of
clients' requirements resources
(and client necessitating
organizations getting resource
larger) optimization

The QS
($, TShs.)

Increased pace of Innovation and

development Competition to
(modern practice Do More With Less
in planning ,
design & mngt)

"Cost Optimization"
 QUANTITY SURVEYING

• The art of examining a property

through measurements and
establishing its cost
NB: One has to understand how costs are incurred in
order to have proper and efficient control systems

5
 THE GLOBAL PRACTICE OF A QS

The main pre-occupation of a QS has

been the preparation of bills of
quantities (specifications, quantities,
estimating, valuation and routine post
contract work) – WHY?
Read; Hughes G.A. (1981). The Anatomy of Quantity Surveying

6
 THE GLOBAL PRACTICE OF A QS
WHY the BQ?
• The most remunerating activity

UK quantity surveyors earn their “bread and

butter” from production of BQs and
settlement of final accounts
BQ accounts for 25% of the QS work
(RICS, 1984)

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THE GLOBAL PRACTICE OF A QS

A shift of focus!

“… No longer does the profession simply

survey quantities, take off or produce bills
of quantities. The functions embraced by
the profession are much wider than the
accepted image portrays”
(Andrew Wilson in the Chartered Quantity
Surveyor, vol. 7, April, 1985, p.333)
 Research and the QS

What is research?
• A systematic (step-by-step) process using a well-defined
procedure for achieving pre-determined goals.
• There is market research and scientific research
• Both should conform to the scientific method, with results
that are generalisable to some extent
• The former is however less rigorous. Its method is not in
sufficient detail for the research to be replicated, it is also
less objective
 Research and the QS

(Market Vs Scientific) research?

In Scientific research accurate conclusions are
draws. In Marketing research accurate-
conclusions cannot be drawn, WHY?

Because Marketing research studies human

behavior. The behavior of humans is
unpredictable and it changes continuously
 Research and the QS

Why do research?
• Marketing the profession

• Looking beyond traditional practices by adequately

responding to changes in the business environment

• Becoming part of the professional world, using expertise to

provide high quality service
 The CI; Opportunities

• Infrastructure improvement/development is a top priority for

African countries, particularly Tanzania and Uganda -
Power Generation, Oil, Gas, Mining and Transport
(Ref. Tanzania’s 2025 Development Vision and Uganda’s Vision
2040 development agenda)

HOW PREPARED ARE WE TO CAPTURE

THIS MARKET NICHE?
 The CI; Opportunities

• ESTIMATES; US$90b needed annually to upgrade Basic

infrastructure services in a majority of African countries
• ESTIMATES/PROJECTIONS; US$360b over 20 years
period for provision of new infrastructure investment

• Banking Institutions like are already into the investment

game (Viz. WB and ADB)
 The CI; Challenges

1. The ever-rocketing construction costs; what are

the causes and what should be the deterrent
measures?

2. The missing construction information data bank

for the construction industry; what can be done
to have them in place ?
 The CI; Challenges

3. Cost effective innovative technologies for

Tanzania; how should they be promoted ?

4. Affordable shelter for the urban majority; What

is the role of a quantity surveyor ?

5. Poorly performing community projects, esp. in L

Gvts (buildings, infrastructure, etc.)!!
 QS - WEAKNESS
Weakness of Quantity surveyors;
• Weak in making their functions generally
understood by the public (poor marketing)

• Still confined to the traditional role (only

proficient in 22% of their competencies)

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 QS - WEAKNESS
Important areas neglected are:

• Feasibility studies/ Investment appraisals(!)

• Research work in marketing and cost related

problems(!)

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 QS – RESEARCH BARRIERS
The pilot study:
• Conducted in Dar es Salaam and Kampala
• Guided by simple questionnaire to practitioners
• Distributed to 100 QS & 45 QS in both Cities
• Responded 10QS and 4QS respectively ( less
than 20%)!

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 QS – RESEARCH BARRIERS
The pilot study:
• With this number of respondents, it is not possible
to generalize results
• However, they are adequate for giving an
indication of the practicing trend in research
matters by QSs
• They will also be used to design open-ended
questionnaires for a detailed survey.
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 QS – RESEARCH BARRIERS

The pilot study:

Questions dwelt on issues of:

• Research awareness as a marketing strategy

• Types and extent of research work engaged in
• Challenges faced in an attempt to do research

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 QS – RESEARCH BARRIERS

The following were the results:

Research perceptions by respondents

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 QS – RESEARCH BARRIERS

The following were the results:

Research types engaged in

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 QS – RESEARCH BARRIERS

The following were the results:

Reasons for not doing Research

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 QS – RESEARCH BARRIERS
Discussion;
• Research is conducted at the training level
as a mandatory requirement
• Quantity Surveyors have research skills
and appreciate the role of research in the
professional work
• Practitioners are to busy to do research or
they do not see research as a lucrative
engagement
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 QS – RESEARCH BARRIERS
Discussion;
• Problems of the construction industry
have not been given adequate research
attention
• Quantity Surveyors are yet to strategize
on research through a Research Agenda

• Sponsored research is marginal

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 QS – RESEARCH BARRIERS
Discussion (Cntnd);
• QS Institutions have not created
departments for research and have not
established research fund for funding
research activities

• Universities seem to be working in

isolation for research assignments (areas
identification, doing research and disseminating
results) 26
 RECOMMENDATIONS
• Adequate investments should be made in research (at
least 1% of the industry’s annual gross receipts)

• Quantity surveyors should appreciate and implement

research as a strategy to market their services and to
offer quality services to clients

• TIQS should team up with universities to plan,

commission and monitor research activities among
students and among practicing quantity surveyors (to
borrow a leaf from RICS practice on research) 27
Research and the QS

Thank you!

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