CEO Letter

As a professional body with individual members, AIQS’s principal role is the development and promulgation of educational, behavioural and technical information and standards for the benefit of AIQS members and their clients. This encompasses (amongst other things) establishing tertiary education standards, continuing professional development programs, development and dissemination of information papers, guidance notes and practice standards, codes of conduct, certification schemes, and complaints handling regimes. Development of standards results in raising professional benchmarks in relation to client engagement, the delivery of services by members, and increased awareness and benefits to members clients (including other end users of member services). Clients of AIQS members and end users should also gain an appreciation of the level of service to be expected of quantity surveyors, at the same time understanding that the provision of high standards of quality professional services, comes at a price. That price reflects increased surety, reliance on standards, and level of professionalism in the service provided by the quantity surveyor. The promulgation and application of standards not only informs members and clients with respect to managing risk, they also raise the profile of AIQS and its members. Furthermore, standards provide a measure against which members may be judged. Across the professional services sector there has, all too frequently, been a ‘race-to-the-bottom’ in terms of fees in order to secure a contract. Unfortunately, this has invariably resulted

in the provision of less than professional levels of service including, omissions, errors in reports, and potential negligence. Over the past four years, AIQS has received complaints against members in relation to breaches of the AIQS Code of Conduct. These include complaints concerning deficiencies in the provision of tax depreciation reports, unprofessional conduct in the provision of progress claim reports, not acting in an independent and impartial manner, and major errors in calculating project construction costs. A negligence case in 2016 noted that quantity surveyors should check that they have adequate measures to manage their liability to financiers and developers. This should include appropriate quality assurance/quality control systems and processes, terms of engagement (including limitations on liability), and qualifications in respect of their valuations. As well as ensuring that they have appropriate insurances in place, quantity surveyors should keep a careful record of ‘contributory negligence’ or ‘failures to mitigate’ by other parties. Standards also help companies who employ AIQS members as they: 1. reduce costs - minimise errors, redundancies and increase productivity

2. generate efficiency - improved quality, safety, and lead-time of products and services 3. lower risks - identifying and mitigating risks within their business and supply chain 4. enhanced customer confidence - promoting acceptance of services into the marketplace by increasing customer confidence in their quality

5. provide uniformity - units of measurement that enable accuracy and confidence in commercial transactions locally and globally.

In light of recent deficiencies across the construction sector, governments are encouraging professional associations, such as AIQS, to participate in Professional Standards Schemes as a mechanism for driving higher standards of professional service by members. These schemes have a three-pronged approach to ensuring high standards: Protect consumers They demand high levels of professional standards and practices from those that participate in Professional Standards Schemes. They expect associations within their regulated communities to make sure members uphold standards through education and guidance, monitoring and enforcement, and other measures. Improve professional standards They work closely with associations to develop self-regulation initiatives through supporting research, developing policies and guidelines, and promoting debate and change to improve professional standards and conduct. Help associations By approving and administering Professional Standards Schemes, they work with associations to strengthen and improve professionalism within associations and promote self-regulation while protecting consumers. In return, professionals that take part in an approved Professional Standards Scheme and have their civil liability limited. The AIQS will be developing 15 new standards going forward, with members being encouraged to participate in the development and implementation of standards for the betterment of the profession.

Grant Warner CEO Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors