2015 edition
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SBEJ International Student Built Environment Journal
Student Built Environment Journal
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success Enter a truly global professional body
Power of three
Hand in hand to give graduates the right start PG.
6
Role models
The managers on the journey to champion BIM PG.
24
Shape of the future Building on a vision of the sector in 2030 PG.
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C O NTENTS
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C ON TACTS RICS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BUILT ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL Editor: Robert Mallett
T +44 (0)20 7695 1533 E rmallett@rics.org Advisory group: Emma-Kate Ryan (Faithful and Gould), Helen Brydson (Faithful and Gould), Martin Stubbington (RICS), David Cohen (Amicus), Gerard Clohessy (EC Harris), Christopher Green (Capita Property and Infrastructure), William Hall (Lendlease), Andrew McSmythurs (Sweett Group), David Reynolds, Tim Fry (Project Management Professional Group Chairman), Alan Muse (RICS) Published by: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Parliament Square, London SW1P 3AD T +44 (0)24 7686 8555 W www.rics.org ISSN: ISSN 1752-8720 (Print) ISSN 1759-3360 (Online) Editorial and production manager: Toni Gill Sub-editor: Gill Rastall Advertising: Emma Kennedy T +44 (0)20 7871 5734 E emmak@wearesunday.com Production by: Redactive Media Group RICS global offices Europe (excluding UK/Ireland) Rue Ducale 67, 1000 Brussels, Belgium T+32 2 733 10 19 E ricseurope@rics.org Ireland 38 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 T +353 1 644 5500 E ricsireland@rics.org Americas One Grand Central Place, 60 East 42nd Street, Suite 2810, New York 10165, USA T+1 212 847 7400 E ricsamericas@rics.org North Asia 3707 Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong T +852 2537 7117 E ricsasia@rics.org Africa PO Box 3400, Witkoppen 2068, South Africa T+27 11 467 2857 E ricsafrica@rics.org Middle East Office G14, Block 3, Knowledge Village, Dubai, UAE T+971 4 375 3074 E ricsmenea@rics.org
RICS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BUILT ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL
contents 4 World of difference The exciting prospects for built environment professionals
18 Life at the top Senior professionals offer their insights for new entrants
6 Power of three How universities, employers and RICS ensure that graduates have the skills they need
20 Through the portal Tapping the wealth of information from isurv
8 The final hurdle Advice on passing the APC 10 The choice is yours The need for project managers is growing, says Tom Taylor 11 Come on in Rising stars and those changing its male-dominated image 15 Look before you leap The challenges of moving to another country 16 Get set to network How to build successful contacts
South America Rua Maranhao, 584 – cj 104, Sao Paulo – SP, Brasil T 55 11 2925 0068 E ricsbrasil@rics.org Japan Level 14 Hibiya Central Building, 1-2-9 Nishi Shimbashi Minato-Ku, Tokyo 105-0003 T 81 3 5532 8813 E ricsjapan@rics.org
26 Tricks of the trade The UK is ahead in equipping practitioners for BIM working, recent research has found 28 Measuring up Harmonising measurement definitions across the globe 30 Shape of the future A vision of the built environment in 2030
As an RICS student member, did you know that you can read the latest RICS Construction Journal online, now available in an interactive page-turning digital format.
Construction Journal
The journal helps quantity surveyors and project managers with the technical and professional aspects of their day jobs, and keep up to date with developments.
ction Construl Journa locking life Un
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os3ply ins r on cha le ecsup one yea ycabl NRM tain 2025 Susc of Construction requirements PG.
Meeting the
s
Putting manager to the test
Reconciling differences
Embracing innovation
PG.
6
6
February/March
PG.
12
2015
rics.org/journals
types Are certain personality to stress? more susceptible
local markets is Why knowing procurement key to project
the Understanding data collection importance of PG.
ASEAN 10 Anson Road, #06-22 International Plaza, Singapore 079903 T65 6635 4242 E ricssingapore@rics.org
24 Role models The managers championing BIM
Student member benefits
South Asia 48 & 49 Centrum Plaza, Sector Road, Sector 53, Gurgaon 122002, India T +91 124 459 5400 E ricsindia@rics.org Oceania Suite 2, Level 161, Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia T+61 2 9216 2333 E info@rics.org.au
22 Data on demand Cost information a click away
20
It covers topics including contracts, cost management, procurement, construction law and regulations, communication and project management skills.
Being a student member offers other benefits, including access to the library catalogue of books, and career advice. Membership is free so why not join today? Visit www.rics.org/join/student May 2015
l strategy Structurathe Transforming uction UK constr landscape PG.
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g risks Managinand safety How health e g positiv is creatin s ny culture compa PG.
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Sky high
prices
Hong Kong’s Solving spiral of upward costs construction PG.
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April/ urnals rics.org/jo
While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all content in the journal, RICS will have no responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content. The views expressed in the journal are not necessarily those of RICS. RICS cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of the content and the opinions expressed in the journal, or by any person acting or refraining to act as a result of the material included in the journal. All rights in the journal, including full copyright or publishing right, content and design, are owned by RICS, except where otherwise described. Any dispute arising out of the journal is subject to the law and jurisdiction of England and Wales. Crown copyright material is reproduced under the Open Government Licence v1.0 for public sector information: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/opengovernment-licence
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RICS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BUILT ENVIRONMENT J O UR N AL
I N TR O D U C TIO N
World of difference Sean Tompkins, RICS Chief Executive, introduces the new International Student Built Environment Journal, offering insights into the world of construction
I
would like to extend a warm welcome to the global built environment student community as we launch our new International Student Built Environment Journal. The journal has been designed to provide both undergraduate and postgraduate students with valuable insights into the world of construction and infrastructure, and to allow you the readers to share your experiences, career aspirations and ideas with us and a wider interested community. In this issue, we aim to demonstrate the many ways in which RICS provides training, guidance and support to quantity surveyors and project managers throughout their careers in the international built environment arena. Articles explain how we work with academia to shape graduate training for our industry, the growing global diversity of our profession and we also take a close look at how the built environment is likely to change over the next 15 years. Specialists from across the organisation explain the roles of our online subscription channel isurv, the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) and how to become effective building information modelling (BIM) managers. We have also endeavoured to provide you with up to the minute
careers guidance in areas such as the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) qualification route to achieving MRICS professional status, how to create your own brand and how to develop those all-important networking skills. Practitioners share their own study and work experiences with their colleagues across the world. As future built environment professionals, you will also find industry-focused technical articles on project management and construction measurement standards, designed to demonstrate the latest thinking and inform your decision about your future career path. With a world rapidly urbanising and a forecast rise in global population to close to nine billion, professionals have never been more valued in the built environment. The demand for homes, offices, retail, infrastructure, transportation has never been so great in so many places in the world. As the built environment millennium generation, if you can add your strong collaborative skills together with an understanding of business and finance to your professional status, you have a very exciting career in front of you. I wish you every future success. b
Professionals have never been more valued in the built environment
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Opening doors RICS Matrics acts as a bridge between university and the professional world, as Chairman James Baker explains Education and careers guidance is a key objective of RICS and RICS Matrics is at the forefront of this. Members undertake schools visits and attend careers fairs at schools and universities to promote surveying as a career of choice. This is something I am extremely passionate about, and will be looking to drive forward in my year as chairman. All students, trainees and members with less than 10 years post-qualification experience are automatically members Image Š Alamy
RICS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BUILT ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL
The global demand for surveyors makes this an exciting time to join the profession, says Vincent Clancy Becoming a surveyor today means embarking on a rewarding, challenging career that is full of opportunities. I have been lucky enough to work in the profession for more than 25 years and along the way I have been involved in the delivery of some great projects all around the world. Construction is a career that has given me the opportunity to develop and grow my skills, and where change and challenge have always been present. Both the nature of the work and the profession’s influence on the global economy have changed dramatically in recent years. Governments and corporations around the world have realised that their ability to develop energy, infrastructure and real estate solutions that support both economic and wider social progress is central to their success. The surveyor has a crucial role to play in achieving this outcome as the effective management of risk and providing value for money becomes ever more important in all construction projects. Two and a half decades ago when I first qualified as a surveyor, our role was largely focused on technical issues. The role is now much more around delivering solutions and business outcomes. We drive business cases, manage procurement and supply chain strategies and manage commercial risk. We operate at programme and portfolio levels, and technology has become an essential tool to enable us to promote better decision-making. As a result, today’s surveyors need both analytical aptitude and broader business skills. You need to be able to operate in the boardroom as well as on a construction site. You must be a good problem solver and a strong communicator and – whether working for a client or consultant – be able to see the big picture. You will need to develop and adapt to fast-moving markets, but in return you will have the opportunity to influence the world in which we live. Construction is now a truly global industry. The RICS qualification is recognised internationally, and will provide you with the opportunity to work around the world. Our skills are also required across every sector, from natural resources to infrastructure programmes and real estate. The chance to influence a wide set of end markets is a major attraction of the profession, and your ability to experience a diverse set of geographies and industries is immense. Looking forward, investment in the built environment is set to soar over the next two decades. This will require us to deliver more efficiently, to adopt greater use of technology and to become ever more sustainable. It will also mean our skills become more highly sought than ever. This is an exciting time to be considering a career in construction. b Vincent Clancy is Chief Executive Officer at Turner & Townsend
of RICS Matrics. Some 40 local groups organise activities such as drinks receptions, which offer networking opportunities with fellow surveyors and young members from other professions. Other events include sporting activities, charity balls and dinners and CPD seminars. We also offer support and information relating to the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) process for those wishing to achieve chartered status. Within the membership we have APC doctors and APC assessors, while local groups organise APC events to assist those going through the process and help them qualify as surveyors. RICS Matrics is youthful, forward thinking, challenging, nurturing and vibrant, and enables its members to grow
and feel part of the wider RICS. We play a part in delivering the main objectives of RICS, and members have the opportunity to get involved at all levels. Local RICS Matrics groups are always open to having students as part of their committees. RICS Matrics has played a pivotal part in my career progression, and without being actively involved I do not believe I would have had the opportunities I have enjoyed to date. It is not just about work though, I have made a number of friends through RICS Matrics whom I see regularly on a social basis. Speaking to students attending universities in my local area, it seems that there is much optimism in terms of future employment opportunities. Clearly, the construction industry is on the up, and after graduation, attending events in
your local area and engaging with RICS Matrics members will help to open doors and increase your opportunities for future employment. This may even result in a chance to gain valuable work experience while you are studying. RICS Futures is exploring the implications of key drivers for change up to 2030. In a world characterised by rapidly advancing technological development, where will we live and work in future? What will future cities look like and what professional skillsets will be required? As surveying professionals of the future these are just some of the questions that you can help to answer. I wish you all the best as you start out on your careers in the profession. b For more details, email matrics@rics.org 2015 EDITION
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E D U C ATI O N
Power of three
Fiona Grant explains how universities, employers and RICS work together to ensure that graduates have the skills they need
T
he success of any student depends on their motivation and the support they have around them. This can include family, friends, and their university, from individual staff to the facilities offered. From an academic perspective, how do we know we are getting this right? Who gives us advice/feedback and how does this influence the course or degree you are completing? For me, there are three key contributors to getting the student experience correct and enabling you to graduate with not only a qualification to be proud of, but also the skills to have an active, rewarding and interesting career in the built environment profession. The contributors are: b universities providing academic input b employer organisations giving the practical experience and industry relevance b professional bodies, such as RICS, ensuring a career pathway and a globally recognised qualification. All three have to work together to ensure we have a profession fit for the future. Have you ever reached a point when you asked yourself: “Why am I studying this, why do I need to know this…?” I am assuming you’re nodding, because I get asked this question by students from time to time. Explaining the relevance and significance of a particular topic to industry normally helps to solve the problem. If this is provided by a 6
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practitioner or a recent graduate, it strengthens the message. This is a key area where industry and academia work closely together. Indeed, the topics you are studying will be heavily influenced by input from industry. Universities will have a very active industrial liaison committee, meeting on a regular basis (input will be sought from organisations that have employed recent graduates) to provide insight into course content and the skills they look for in graduates. This allows industry to contribute in many ways to your course, by providing case study material, guest lectures and site visits where appropriate.
Student feedback One of the rewarding parts of being an academic is meeting past graduates at RICS events and hearing how their careers are progressing. It is always nice to hear how the courses they studied at university are impacting on their daily work tasks, from subject-specific knowledge to presentation, report writing and conversational/networking skills. Generally, the conversation goes something like this. “At the time, I didn’t realise the importance of this topic, I’m now using it every day and have gone back to my notes to make sure I fully understand it.” So do attend guest lectures your university organises, and quiz the industry expert to appreciate the role you will ultimately have in industry. When working with my dissertation students, we identify research issues and
how best they can investigate them, with the aim of producing a fully supported piece of academic writing. This work will challenge existing concepts and question current status to provide new ideas to solve a problem. It could also involve giving guidance and advice to improve efficiencies and effectiveness of processes, reviewing implications of legislation, providing comparative analysis and critique on existing research. These
Student perspective: Nadia Marshall “I was given the opportunity to undertake my MSc in quantity surveying to support my transition into the post of project commercial manager. The programme, accredited by RICS, has provided me with comprehensive knowledge of the industry and encouraged key expertise in critical areas of project and industry management. I have also gained an appreciation of various professions from visiting industry representatives. Even though I work for a major construction company, everyone’s experiences are different. As I work full time, I have progressed through the course on day release, with support from the company. The high level of flexibility allowed me to achieve working deadlines, allocate core study time and prepare for future examinations.”
RICS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BUILT ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL
Robert Mallett rmallett@rics.org Robert Mallett rmallett@rics.org
Student perspective: Graeme Barclay “I joined the BSc (Hons) quantity surveying degree course in my second year and can honestly say it has been a great experience both professionally and personally. Most important is the strong connection between the built environment industry and academe, which has resulted in me securing full time employment on completion of my studies. This was done on the back of a mentoring scheme with practitioners. My time at university has seen my self-confidence grow, and has taught me to be ambitious. I will be looking to take my first steps toward becoming chartered once I have completed my studies.�
are the same key skills that will allow you to progress and have a successful career. A successful career is also linked to the relationship universities have with RICS. This is another key factor that ensures that the material you are studying and the degree awarded are recognised by RICS, allowing candidates entry into the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) pathways to eventually achieve chartered status. The course accreditation process maps the content to the APC competencies, with input from employers. I often use the RICS APC competency levels to explain
Table 1: Course content comparison EXPLANATION OF COMPETENCE LEVEL
RELATIONSHIP OF GRADE/MARK
LEVEL 1
Knowledge and understanding, describing processes and procedures
A minimum pass, based on a student who can repeat the process described in lectures and/or tutorial work
LEVEL 2
Application of this knowledge to problem solve, by demonstrating you can apply knowledge and understanding to resolve an issue
A good pass, can show how to solve a problem by application of process, use of examples are included and logical thinking is demonstrated
LEVEL 3
Giving advice, independence of mind to provide rational and logical explanations, backed up and supported by published referenced material from a number of sources
A high pass, all of the above, plus the work also includes evaluation, comparison and critique supported with current reference materials to back up their findings. Academic rigour is strongly demonstrated
RICS APC LEVEL
to students the quality of work I expect from them to obtain a particular grade or mark (see Table 1). When you are applying for graduate jobs with surveying companies, you should ask them how they will support you through the APC process, and what structured training is available. An employer that is supportive and proactive in encouraging you to be a chartered surveyor is the firm with forward-thinking
insight and long-term objectives. I wish you every success both with your studies and after graduation in pursuing a rewarding career as a chartered surveyor. b Professor Fiona Grant FRICS is Director of Academic Quality, School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriott Watt University and RICS World Regional Chair, UK and Ireland
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APC
The final hurdle As with many professions, study continues beyond university and once employed as a graduate surveyor you need to gain your professional qualification – the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), which combined with your academic qualifications leads to RICS membership. The objective of the APC is to ensure that you are competent to practise as a chartered surveyor. It normally consists of: b a period of structured training – this normally continues for 24-36 months during which you will need to complete 400 days of relevant practical experience b a final assessment interview – a 10-minute presentation on any aspect of your submitted case study and questions from the panel members. It is this last element that can be daunting for candidates, but here are our tips for success.
Take control Susan Hanley shares her advice on how to approach the final assessment presentation
A crucial part of the final assessment is the 10-minute presentation on any aspect of your case study. Your presentation allows the panel to assess an element of your mandatory competence of communication and negotiation (level 2). It also sets the scene for the subsequent interview, perhaps pointing the panel towards an area that you want to highlight, or filling in a gap you identified after you submitted your documentation. You could argue that this is the only part of the interview in which you are in control. It is certainly your opportunity to display your confidence and professionalism. Clearly, you cannot cover all the content of your written 8
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submission. After all, this is a presentation, not a recitation. It is often said that you only get one chance to make a first impression – but in this case, you get two. The assessors have already formed an impression about you from your submission. Now they get a chance to meet you and hear from you about your case study. Bear in mind that you are talking to an informed audience who are seeking reassurance that you know what you are talking about and that you can confidently deal with questions. So take the time to prepare, and practise. If you are asked to talk for 10 minutes, then do so: your ability to comply with the brief is being tested. Use cue cards to remind yourself of your content and
structure, and note timings to check you are using your allocated minutes. If you use visual aids, remember that these can very easily go wrong, so keep things simple. The message is more important than the medium. It is not practical for three assessors to see a lap-top or iPad screen, for instance, and after all, it is you they are assessing, not the technology. If you feel that you would like to use visual aids, you might consider a desktop presentation binder. If you wish to give the panel a one page hand-out showing a particular detail or layout, make sure it is relevant and adds to your presentation. The structure in your presentation is important. Introduce what you will be
telling the panel, tell them, then clearly conclude. It gives both you and the listener confidence to bring your presentation to a definite close. Your body language, when presenting, such as making eye contact, is a mark of professionalism that will stand you in good stead throughout your career. Don’t forget the subsequent 10 minutes of questioning is based on the content of your case study and your presentation, so anything contained in these can be picked up by the assessors for further details. Prepare well and you will be in good shape to present to the assessment panel. Susan Hanley FRICS is an RICS Training Adviser in Scotland
RICS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BUILT ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL
My supervisor and counsellor helped me to understand my competency requirements
Be prepared Two candidates report on their experience Practice makes perfect is the message that comes loud and clear from candidates in preparing for their Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). Edward Wiggins, a Real Estate Consultant at DTZ says: “I delivered my presentation to friends and family as well as chartered surveyors, and welcomed positive challenge from colleagues. Performing well in this part gave me a lot of confidence for the rest of my final assessment.” Formal mock exams and informal APC question sessions also provided the “best possible preparation for the final assessment”, he adds. Reiterating this point is Luke Kelly, a Senior Project Manager at Stace LLP. He credits the countless question and answer sessions with peers, while challenging, as “extremely useful practice in responding to questions on the spot”. In the early stages of the APC process, he recalls that being put under pressure made him stutter and hesitate. Exposure to clients at an early stage and regular supervisor/counsellor dialogue helped to build up his confidence. In addition, both candidates say the mentoring process was imperative to successfully completing the examination process. Wiggins maintains that it was an important part of preparation. “My supervisor and counsellor helped me to understand my competency requirements, and assessed my progress at regular intervals. The scheduled reviews provided me with structure throughout the two-year experience period, and ensured that I had dedicated time to make sure I was on track for the final assessment,” he says. To have a supervisor and counsellor who knew how he operated, both professionally and personally, was also key to Kelly’s path through the APC process. “I found the transition between university life and working a big step, but through guidance from my supervisor and counsellor who had of course already undertaken the process, it really helped in managing my expectations and my work/life balance,” he says. As for any final words of advice, Wiggins offers that “you are only as good as your notes”. He advises candidates to supplement APC and lecture notes with help sheets, practice statements, guidance notes, codes of practice and information papers provided by RICS. “Putting your final templates together takes a lot of time and there is no quick fix. Your critical analysis and experience records are particularly time consuming, so start completing these as early as possible. Remember, the better your template, the better prepared you will be for your final assessment,” he adds. Kelly stresses that keeping up to date with the relevant documentation through the two-year process assisted in the stress of the final months. “On top of my normal CPD, attending the APC Preparing for the Final Assessment event was really useful in rehearsing what is expected of you on the day. It included some obvious tips but puts your mind at rest.”
Overseas experience Matthew Reason discovers that RICS structured training makes working overseas a real option
“
I had been working as a graduate project manager at a prominent consultancy in London, yet my aspirations had always been to move overseas. I had been deterred by previous discussions which had led me to believe that it would make completing my APC far more arduous. I was told that clients did not value the RICS accreditation overseas; and that the support mechanisms would not be in place to undertake a structured learning programme. However, flicking through a careers page one evening I came across the perfect opportunity – a graduate surveyor role in Dubai with Knight Frank. On a whim, I applied and a couple of interviews later an offer hit my inbox – at which point the notion of international travel became reality. My first day was the usual round of introductions; names, contracts, entry level tasks, training etc. I was surprised that the average age was relatively young; probably early thirties. I was pleased to find that one graduate had recently become RICS chartered, and I would be joining four more in the process of preparation. I was instructed to register myself with the RICS Middle East Office as an APC candidate. One week later I sat down with my line manager to identify competencies. After discussing rotations around the business, it was not only a pleasant surprise to find such a structured programme in what is still considered an emerging market, but reassuring that I would be put through the exact same hoops as a graduate in London. If anything, professional offices in the Middle East increase the intensity, because the level of exposure and responsibility of a graduate is far higher, reflected in both the training and experience gained. What also surprised me was the number of competencies that were transferable. With multi-asset portfolios a daily occurrence, the RICS training ensures that you are not a jack but a master of all trades. My current work covers Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates and I have also carried out research and valuations in Bahrain; with each location having considerably different ownership rules and market dynamics. However, the ethos running through Knight Frank’s support network, peer review and overall performance management set up is quality, which in such an opaque market is essential to answer client’s queries/arguments on our professional opinion. My experience to date and the knowledge I am gaining is monumental. I am currently sitting in the Knight Frank commercial valuation team; gaining vast exposure of asset classes varying from five-star hotels to workers’ accommodation. I will soon be undertaking rotations in leasing and lettings and development consultancy, where I will complete my graduate training programme and undertake the final assessment. The setup of the APC is far more straightforward than I had experienced in the UK, with online portals to input everything from CPD to your RICS Diary, which must be filled in quarterly. With the training mechanisms and procedures to rival any London office, the argument that moving abroad is only worthwhile when chartered is unfounded. If you have the aspiration, desire and opportunity – jump! b 2015 EDITION
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P R O J E CT MA NAG EMENT
The choice is yours
Prospects for young people and qualified professionals in the project management environment have never been better, says Tom Taylor
C
Construction project and programme management have come a long way very quickly. About 10% of the UK’s GDP is related to construction and roughly 10% of the national workforce is involved in the industry, property, premises and infrastructure. Every citizen is dependent on construction to live, to work, for transport, for leisure. Young people thinking about a career in construction should be encouraged to sit on the upper deck of a bus and look at the variety of building types, functions and materials, the newbuilds, the refurbishments, the changes of use from warehouses
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to apartments, banks to shops, pubs to restaurants. They will discover an environment undergoing constant change. For those already in the industry, the same trip would remind them of the diversity of their sector. When everything seems to be going virtual, it is nice to be involved with something so real and physical.
Professional variety There are many variations for management of projects in construction: development managers and directors, client representatives, construction agents, package and trade managers throughout the supply chain, as well as contract administrators, employer’s agents, design team leaders, funding representatives and simply project managers. The wide variety of interpretations of project management duties are included in the diverse sources of standardised institutional appointment
documents – not least as provided by the Association for Project Management (APM) and RICS. Prospective members of the project management community may wish to consider which role would suit their interests and capabilities. To help, there are a whole range of books, websites, courses, continuing professional development modules, experience sources, qualifications, and accreditations; not forgetting career guidance, both in person and on the internet. In the past, it was not thought appropriate to go straight into project management in construction as a school leaver or graduate, except in exceptional circumstances. Most people became project managers later in life either by circumstance or accident. This is no longer the case. Nowadays, it is possible to go to college or university or seek a higher apprenticeship in project management as a Image © Edouard Francois / Luxigon
career of first choice. There are also many construction related and other courses with substantial project management modules in the curriculum. However, these education routes are unlikely to fulfil the anticipated quantity and quality of project management needs in UK construction, and the many opportunities available abroad. As a consequence, there will still be a need for people to transfer into project management in later life. Construction is a tactile industry and every location is unique. The physicality and physics are wondrous when the pristine building emerges from the site. Certainly it is not easy, but it is the difficulty that makes it even better. What is not to like about a career in managing projects in construction? b
Tom Taylor is President of the Association for Project Management www.apm.org.uk
P ERSO NA L DEV ELO PMENT
RICS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BUILT ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL
Emma-Kate Ryan looks at the diverse range of opportunities in the construction sector and the level of support offered to allow you to progress
Come on in
The message from industry players and graduate recruiters is that there is a major skills shortage within the construction sector. It is no surprise that this shortage is at the core of the government’s Construction 2025 strategy, which sets out to create an industry “known for its talented and diverse workforce”. Now is the time for aspiring
construction professionals to seize the opportunity to work in a fast paced and dynamic environment and to take their careers to starry heights around the globe. The prospects for rapid progression extend to graduates from a ‘nonconstruction’ background. Ambition, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are key attributes that prospective
employers look for. And the high transferable core skills of communication, teamwork, commercial awareness, problem solving and time management can be gained from most degree programmes. Adding to the changing profile of the industry are the growing number of women in traditionally male-dominated roles.
Rising stars Quantity surveyor Keshiv Prabhakar and project manager Helen Brydson joined the industry from other disciplines and studied construction degrees while their careers progressed. We asked them for their stories.
Keshiv Prabhakar MRICS progressed from trainee to Senior Quantity Surveyor in eight years. He is currently undertaking an Executive MBA. What was your route into construction? After studying politics at university for a year with the ambition of becoming a chartered accountant, I decided it was not for me, and left. On a friend’s suggestion, I applied to a professional services consultancy firm, and was offered the position of trainee quantity surveyor. This meant going back to university to complete a part-time undergraduate degree, which the company agreed to sponsor. How did you find working and studying? Studying and working is never easy. The five-year part-time degree course really ramped up in the final two years, which coincided with increased Image © Alamy
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responsibility and steep development at work. It definitely takes motivation and dedication to excel in both arenas. Was your employer supportive? Very supportive. I was a ‘non-cognate’ employee, with no previous construction experience. They paid for my university fees, and I was given day release to attend lectures. I was also given study leave for exams. Some senior surveyors in the company had gone through similar experiences and were always willing to lend a hand. This made it easier and they provided great role models for a young surveyor carving their own career. You have progressed quickly in your career, in a short space of time – did you have to make sacrifices? The greatest sacrifices are personal ones. Everyone yearns for a work/life balance, but having a defined path makes the personal sacrifices seem small in comparison. What has been the highlight of your career? The watershed moments have been achieving a first class honours degree and becoming a chartered surveyor. Both were the result of long, arduous journeys and left me with a great sense of achievement. What are your future plans? I am undertaking an Executive MBA with plans to move away from a technical to a more business delivery focused role. Again, the company is sponsoring me and supports my ambitions to attain a leadership role. Have you any advice for a young person looking to break into the construction industry from a different background? Do your research. Try to map where you would like to see your career going. It is important to have realistic expectations from the outset. Networking can be a useful tool, speaking to people who have already made the shift and learning from 12
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their experiences. The greatest reward this industry can give you is to see the fruits of your labour. This is what I think construction can offer in abundance compared to other professions.
Helen Brydson MRICS is a Senior Project Manager of large public sector projects, and in 2014 was highly commended in the construction, infrastructure and real estate category of the Women of the Future Awards. What was your route into construction? Originally graduating with a BSc in physical geography from Durham University, I considered several career options before applying to my current company’s graduate programme. I was attracted to construction because there seemed to be a good split between sitting behind a desk and going out on site, and I was drawn by the sense of achievement in seeing a very tangible result of your work. I completed a part-time master’s over two years, sitting my APC the following year. How did you find working and studying? Juggling part-time study with work and my APC were intense periods in terms of pressure, but I learned to become more efficient and manage my time, in terms of both work and study. My employer was very supportive. They funded my master’s degree and gave me day release every week throughout the two-year course. Did you find the skills from your non-cognate degree to be transferable? Physical geography is effectively a science so you learn to analyse a
lot of different types of data, and I think that the skillset I developed has meant that I tackle projects from a slightly different perspective, particularly understanding an issue or risk and challenging or developing the agreed solution. You have progressed quickly in a short space of time – did you have to make sacrifices? I found that at various milestones or deadline dates inevitably something had to give to allow other items to take priority, be that a friend’s wedding or my APC final assessment. What has been the highlight of your career? Acting as client representative for the construction phase of HMYOI Cookham Wood, which involved a new 179-place accommodation block and an education building. This was a significant scheme because it was a government pilot project for BIM, which also trialled Soft Landings, project bank account and lean programming. Seeing the buildings finished and in use felt like a substantial accomplishment, and for the project team to be awarded Constructing Excellence London and South East BIM Project of the Year helped to cement this achievement. Have you any advice for a young person looking to break into the construction industry? No-one should be discouraged because they do not come from a construction background, and I advise anyone to look at the variety of professions in the industry to find a role that would suit their particular skillset, strengths, interests or personality. Most importantly, I would encourage them to maximise every opportunity that they are given, because even tasks that may seem insignificant contribute to the project and personal development. If you show initiative and perform well you will be given tasks of increasing importance or responsibility, which is fundamentally how you progress. b
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Equal to the challenge There’s no denying the statistics – currently only around 13% of chartered surveyors are female. This is however, changing. Women are recognising the benefits of a career in construction, and are striving for greatness in the field. They may have differing experiences of the industry but one thing in common: they are all passionate about the work they carry out, and very positive about the future. The message is that your career is what you make it, and they are reaping the benefits along the way.
Seyi Bello graduated in 2011 with a degree in quantity surveying from the University of Reading and is an Assistant Commercial Manager at a large London-based consultancy. She is a key member of the Young Rail Professionals Network. Why did you decide to join the construction industry? Construction has always interested me as I feel that quality housing and infrastructure are essential to a functioning society. My long-standing appreciation of architecture adds to my interest in the field. I thought I had the skills to contribute in a meaningful way to the commercial side of the industry. What did you think about the image of the industry? If I am honest, prior to commencing my career, I did believe that the industry had a prevailing male culture. However, I decided to take on the challenge. I consulted family members and friends with industry experience, who told me about the positive headway women were making in the field, and I decided that was a movement I wanted to be a part of. How forward thinking do you perceive it to be? Although I have only been in the industry for three years, I have noticed a change in terms of work/life balance. This affords both men and women the opportunity, for example, to work from home for a variety of reasons. For women it also means less of an impetus to choose between a successful career and having a family. While this forward thinking is not specific to construction, it demonstrates how this sector is keeping abreast of wider social movements. The industry has made great strides to improve equality, and I have never felt discriminated against. What does an average working day entail? I work for a
built asset design and consultancy firm, and I am currently on secondment with a key client office, a major player in the London transportation sector. My role involves assisting in procuring yellow plant, logistics services and maintenance equipment. I attend meetings to brief the client on the progress of their procurement, draft strategies, issue invitation to tender documents and evaluate tenders received with the client. What does it mean to you to be a young person in construction? I am a results driven person. I like knowing there’s an end goal, and I like to achieve this goal, regardless of what it takes. The construction industry satisfies me greatly in this respect, because there is always an end game, such as project completion. Not only is the work varied but it means contributing to physical change that will benefit the wider society, whether it be the transport, housing or recreational sector. What are your long-term ambitions? For now, I am focused on achieving my chartered status with RICS. In the long term I would like to get to Senior Commercial Manager, working on a large-scale infrastructure project.
Alex Lawlor has a master’s in structural engineering, RIBA Part 1 and is working towards a MSc in project management and professional chartership with RICS. She is a Graduate Project Manager for a London-based global consultancy firm. Why did you want to join the construction industry? I have always had an affinity for logic and design, which I excelled at in school. During my first university degree I felt a pull towards the project life cycle. I wanted to understand the process of construction, the management of it, the pulling of all of the different parts together. I undertook a module in construction management where we reviewed the construction life cycle of the Olympic Park. We went from a scribble showing the initial design concept, and then went through the different design stages. That’s when I decided I wanted to be a project manager. What did you think about the image of the industry? To me, it produces amazing buildings and spaces; it was never about the male/female disparity, which has historically been seen as a downside to working in construction. Why did you choose to join a consultancy, rather than a contractor or client organisation? I chose the particular consultancy I work for because of the development programme 2015 EDITION
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n it offered to graduates. I also receive great support on my route to chartered status. Another primary reason is the great variety of work, and I often liaise with several different clients, contractors and subcontractors at once. How forward thinking do you perceive construction? For me, the essence of being a successful project manager is the ability to be an intuitive forward thinker. I am a planner, I am organised: that’s what makes me tick. I try not to think simply about how things will work and who will be involved, but also analysing the risks. It allows me to define the parameters of what will make each project a success.
partly the reason I chose to work in the UAE – to be part of the construction of landmarks such as the Burj Al Arab Hotel, Emirates Palace, or Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. How forward thinking do you perceive construction? This industry is so dynamic that it is essential to keep up to date with new technologies and methods of working. I believe the use of building information modelling will change the way of working, and it is important as a practitioner to adapt to new advances in this. In terms of sustainability, working in the UAE I have been exposed to iconic projects such as Masdar City, which uses solar energy and other renewable resources, and Al Bahar Tower, a sustainably-designed commercial skyscraper.
Are you worried you’ll face challenges because of the culture of the industry? Maybe – but I say challenge accepted! I believe younger people joining the industry should be the ones challenging the culture, as well as more senior practitioners challenging it from the top down. What are the essential skills of a successful project manager? To be inquisitive and a good communicator. It might sound obvious, but it’s important to genuinely like people and build relationships. What does an average working day entail? Attending project meetings, coordinating and communicating on various levels. Asking penetrating questions, to find out all the information I need. Resolving conflicts. Organising time, people and projects. Ensuring all decisions are tracked correctly in accordance with contractual arrangements. I carry out site visits regularly. What are your long-term ambitions? To be good at my job, and to always enjoy what I do. In the next three years I would like to become chartered as a professional project manager with RICS, and work in a senior role. It is important to me to mentor the young men and women joining the industry in a similar fashion to the support I received, so I will strive to do this throughout my career. I eventually wish to become a director.
Jimei Tang is a Quantity Surveyor from Yantai, China. She currently works in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and is studying towards a MSc in quantity surveying at Heriot Watt University in Dubai. She hopes to achieve chartered status with RICS in 2016. Why did you want to join the construction industry? I have always been interested in construction because I find this area quite challenging. I like the fact that I have to constantly update my skills base, and I really enjoy the diversity of working on different projects and with different parties. What did you think about the image of the industry? Before I joined the industry, it seemed to me to be full of opportunities to work on iconic, unique and innovative projects. This is 14
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Are you worried you’ll face challenges because of the culture of the industry? The UAE is quite male-dominated, especially in construction. This has been one of my greater challenges, but it is something I am happy to take on – I think the job is worth it. What does an average working day entail? I prepare monthly payment applications, contractor payment valuations, variation works and rates build-up. I provide monthly cost reports to the client and review the contract strategy. I liaise with all discipline leads to forecast the resources and budget of the project, and assist with claims and variations. In the hot summer weather, I normally schedule site visits in the morning and evenings. What are your long-term ambitions? First, I want to achieve my master’s degree this year, and MRICS status in early 2016 so that I will be even more confident to work as a professional in the industry. I would like to become a part-time lecturer. I think teaching and practising at the same time would both benefit my job and university students, because I could both add to and contribute from my own pool of knowledge. b Emma-Kate Ryan is a Graduate Quantity Surveyor at Faithful and Gould www.fgould.com/uk-europe
MOV ING C O UNTRY
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Raymond Smith advises on the personal and professional challenges of moving to another country
Broadening horizons
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any surveyors, mostly young but sometimes older, have the desire or opportunity to move to another country. But making the changes require courage and persistence, to a greater or lesser degree depending on the country, and without these, no move will be entirely successful. There are some general principles that should be carefully considered before committing.
Why move? The motives for a move is of primary consideration. These generally fall into three categories: taking advantage of language skills or family ties; opportunistic events such as job offers or taking a liking to a country after an enjoyable holiday; or lastly, as part of an ambitious life plan. Each has produced its success stories as well as failures. What is important is the degree of enthusiasm the person has when taking the decision. Starting with the first category, perhaps the most frequent reason for a move, a transfer by an existing employer, marriage to a local, previous residence in that country or other consideration will provide a solid footing in the new country. This is because that person will already have an edge in making it a successful undertaking. Opportunistic movers are perhaps the highest risk group. Some may be running away from a divorce or failed career and think that their problems will be resolved by a move. Even those who receive an unexpected job offer are not necessarily guaranteed success. A poorly motivated basis for a move often results in failure. Finally, there are those where a move is part of their career path. This group generally takes a more rational approach with strategic steps towards relocation.
Practicalities The choice of country may be a relatively safe environment where chartered surveyors are an established profession. However, some opt for more challenging moves to countries where RICS has no presence and where they may not speak the language. The more ambitious mover will need to consider the following points. Language This is the key factor in business dealings. It is therefore essential to obtain a reasonable proficiency in the local language before a move to that country. This may be done through an intensive course in a language school or over a number of years, making friends with natives of that country or any other means to build up a sound knowledge. Low profile of the sector In many countries, no one understands what a chartered surveyor is or does. Lack of trust and cooperation This is especially prevalent in valuations, where advice or opinions from others
A poorly motivated basis for a move often results in failure
are required in the marketplace. Local operatives are very resistant to releasing information, because they are often suspicious of potential competitors trying to steal clients. Only after friendship and trust is established can this barrier be broken down, but this may be a difficult task in a large country with many different markets. Transparency In many markets, official records cannot always be relied on. Any information should be checked against other sources. Integrity This is of great importance to the chartered surveyor, and features to a greater or lesser extent in all countries in the world. Many challenges will be presented and many opportunities lost in upholding standards. However, in the long run, the market will respect ethical professionals and their standards.
Be prepared To sum up, a useful checklist on the route to a move is: b Be sure of your motives. b Be prepared for long haul; it can take years to become established in a new country. b Research all aspects of life and business in the country, meet people who know it and establish contacts. b Visit the country and meet people who work there. b Make oneself known to companies that are active or planning to move into that country. b Stick at it. b Raymond Smith is Partner at C창mara and Smith Chartered Surveyors in Brazil
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Get set to network
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Karen Rogers outlines some top tips on how to build up successful contacts in the industry
Networking is the “socio-economic business activity by which groups of like-minded business people recognise, create or act on opportunities”. What does this actually mean and how can networking be one of the most powerful tools in getting ahead in your career? Knowledge, competency, ability and of course hard work are essential. However, knowing the right people and building contacts will not only develop your understanding but will also give you influence, profile and creditability. Research shows that those who network effectively are three times more influential than those who do not. As a new graduate, building up business contacts is vital to maximise on opportunities. Competition for promotion is fierce, and employers will look for those who have a strong ‘personal brand’ and are getting themselves known. This is often the result of successful networking.
Hints and tips Unfortunately, we cannot rely solely on social media networks. Here are a few tips to becoming an effective networker. Prior to the event: b Know your stuff: You need to add value to networking; people want to engage with those with knowledge, expertise or informed opinions. That said, creativity will also add credit to your reputation and gain you respect. 16
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b Prepare and plan: who, what, why and wear! • Who will be attending? Look up some of the people who may be of greatest interest and benefit to you. • What is the event? e.g. format and programme outline. • Why is the event being held? Is it purely networking or a new product launch/initiative – gather as much information as possible. • Wear – some networking events now tend to be less formal; check the dress code. At the event: b Feel comfortable: Leave time to get to the venue to avoid appearing flustered or rushed. Read the room and look for openings in conversations. b Don’t be afraid to ask for introductions: Generally speaking, everyone has the same purpose. b Listen: It is more important to be interested than interesting! After the event: b Follow up: Be sure to undertake any actions you may have agreed to, and follow up opportunities and leads. b Update your profile: People you have met are sure to look you up on social media. Ensure that this information is up to date and shows you in the best light. b Plan your next opportunity: Keep the events you attend as varied as possible. Networking doesn’t always have to be at large formal events. Good luck and remember RICS Matrics provides great opportunities for students, trainees and those newly qualified to network and gain confidence among peers, employers and other professions. b Karen Rogers is RICS Matrics and UK Operations Manager
Building your brand
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ur industry is changing, and technology is playing a large part in shaping the future. I spend a lot of my time talking about the importance of employees empowering themselves through being active on LinkedIn and Twitter. More and more employers are using social media as a means of identifying future talent; as such it is vital that Generation Y keep their online profile updated, relevant and concise. For any young professional I offer the following advice: b add content to your profile that is relevant b create a positive image that tells people a story about your success
Image © iStock
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and how you have developed to reach such a position b have a range of content that shows you are more than just a construction/ property professional, i.e. include voluntary work, international work experience and awards. As you progress in building your career, the content of your profile should change to reflect your achievements and your current and future aspirations. Try to create a strategy for your social media networking, and then start to work toward raising your profile. Participate in relevant group discussions and post articles that will benefit your network. Find a niche and help add value to your followers. LinkedIn is more than just a recruitment website, it is a platform that brings together the professional world from all industries and backgrounds. Remember, the world wide web is a global marketing tool, and by being active on social media platforms you can reinforce your professional brand and help build your online network. I have done this by creating a group on LinkedIn targeted at Generation Y professionals wanting to build a career in the built environment. Graduate
Surveyors on LinkedIn currently attracts more than 1,650 global followers, including talent resource professionals from the most reputable employers.
Working on the inside An intrapreneur has the traits of an entrepreneur but within an internal ecosystem. An intrapreneur is someone who works within a large corporate organisation and can help to identify opportunities by bringing together people both within the workplace and from outside. As a young professional, it is important to use the resources and opportunities available to help reinforce your professional brand. These opportunities will act as milestones and better support a strong foundation for your career. When joining EC Harris in 2013, I put myself forward for a number of internal opportunities that would give me the exposure to raise my profile within a large corporate environment. It is important that Generation Ys position themselves by flaunting their skill set, ambitions and achievements. Of course, it is not practical to be involved in everything. Professionals should select opportunities that will help them to attain their long-term aspirations,
and add value to their career plan. For me, this was taking advantage of opportunities abroad such as freelance writing and being the administrator of EC Harris’ Global Graduate Twitter account.
Making connections RICS Matrics has played an integral part in shaping and building my network. Connecting with like-minded people within the workplace and online engenders better collaboration both on a personal and professional level. Sharing your perspective, tastes and opinions will help you grow as a young professional. Try to be active and show a willingness to learn and develop, capitalise on networking by providing a safe and productive environment to help create innovation, face challenges and validate success. It is important that Generation Y realise that building their professional brand and network go hand in hand in helping them to shape and accelerate their career. b
Shyam Visavadia is an Assistant Project Manager at EC Harris
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I N D U STRY LEA DERS
Emma-Kate Ryan finds out how two senior construction professionals steered their route to the top
Life at the top
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he construction industry can offer a long and rewarding career, and with much sought after and transferable skills, professionals have the capacity to move between several types of roles, and work in locations across the world. From the management of iconic developments, to defining the socio-economic plans of the future, industry leaders contribute to the advancement of wider society, as well as rising to the top of global businesses and organisations. b Emma-Kate Ryan is a Graduate Quantity Surveyor at Faithful and Gould www.fgould.com/uk-europe
When you started out, did you envisage you could have such an impact on the economy? I have tended to prefer public sector projects and I have always seen the chartered surveyor as playing the central role in protecting the public purse. Therefore, any contribution I have made to the economy has been from maintaining a simple focus on spending taxpayers’ money appropriately.
Martin Rowark FRICS is a Consultant at the Nichols Group Where did you study and how has your career progressed? My education was not entirely straightforward. I set out to be an illustrator and I won a place at a London art school, only for my father to lure me into construction. I joined the family management contracting firm and spent eight years there, during which time I studied at Brighton and Reading University (College of Estate Management). Since then, I have worked for Railtrack, David Langdon and Crossrail. Until recently I was Director of Commercial Transport for London, with responsibility for the line upgrade programmes. Did you set out with a specific career plan? Since my time as a contractor I have been very careful about my career choices. Very much like a game of chess, each move has to be carefully considered, and the further you progress the more challenging the moves become. Talk to us about your time working on the London 2012 Olympics and Crossrail? The opportunity to work on two mega projects back to back and transfer the knowledge and experiences gained was incredibly exciting for me. Specifically, applying the procurement approach used on London 2012 to Crossrail, then the biggest infrastructure project in Europe, was a significant challenge.
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What is the best advice for anyone setting out in this industry? Getting a formal professional qualification is vital, and then to contribute as a member to your professional organisation. It is essential to be self-aware and exhibit emotional intelligence to resolve differences; to operate with integrity, and never lie. What should influence a student’s decision on what sub-sector of the industry to enter? You have to have an interest in the sector. I am very interested in how rail infrastructure is an enabler, and has been for over 150 years in the UK. How do you promote an individual’s progression at work? I have used mentoring extensively to assist individuals for many years now. I believe in mentoring the whole person rather than a work persona, as I believe in life/work balance rather than the other way around. What does the ‘graduate of the future’ look like? We suffer a lack of women in our industry and are so much worse off for it. I spend a good deal of time in RICS looking at how we are to equip the infrastructure professionals of tomorrow; their skill sets will be quite different. I see technology making some traditional skills redundant but the basic principles of commercial awareness and management of time, quality and cost will remain as solid as ever. What next for you? Working on London 2012 and Crossrail accounted for almost a decade of my career. I am due to now take up a more advisory role. I also intend to get more involved in developing RICS status in the infrastructure sector through my Chair of the Infrastructure Forum and membership of the QS and Construction Board.
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of clients, government and wider industry issues. You tend only to get these insights at senior levels within contracting organisations, hence career advancement may be perceived as better within consultancy. I am proud to have had both experiences at relatively senior levels and simply view them as different rather than one being better than others.
Richard Graham FRICS is Director of UK Mainline Rail Business at engineering consultancy CH2M What did you study and how has your career progressed? I studied building services engineering at Bath University – a multidisciplinary design course with architecture and structural engineering. I have a master’s in construction management and economics from University College London, and another in construction law and arbitration from King’s College London.
How important is it to encourage forward thinking and innovation in the new generation of industry entrants? Forward thinking is essential. I am encouraged by the younger people I see who have great skills. The important point for me is to provide opportunities to grow, to take risk and demonstrate leadership. Large companies ought to offer young talent an environment in which they might thrive and hone their skills. Communication, investment and training are all central to this objective. It is also important to think longer term. I am encouraged that apprenticeships and other training academies are gaining in recognition and strength. What are the benefits and challenges of working for a large global organisation like CH2M? A large company, not just CH2M, offers global reach and the ability to work on large schemes. There is a huge resource and capability across CH2M that can be harnessed for the benefit of clients and partners within teams.
Would you recommend working abroad to graduates? While at Bath University I found a placement with the French Building Research Establishment at CoSTIC, doing building studies around Paris. I also worked for three years in Zurich while at Asea Brown Boveri, which was a very dynamic multicultural experience. My time abroad fundamentally changed how I see the UK and our approach to work. It was an essential part of my training and I would recommend it to any student who wishes to work on large infrastructure projects, given that these are increasingly multinational undertakings.
What does the ‘graduate of the future’ look like? Softer interpersonal skills will become increasingly important as many engineering activities are automated. It is hard to automate strategic decision-making, teamwork and creative engineering thinking. Project managers and QSs will need to move into the building information modelling space. Processes become systematised and people need to be able to interpret data effectively rather than relying on hand calculation. The day of a master builder such as Brunel is probably gone. Life is complex so the ability of graduates to work effectively as teams, sharing common goals will become more and more crucial.
Having worked for both contractor and consultancy, how would you advise a graduate to decide which route to take? My experience from the rail industry is that contractors are practical and down to earth, and consultants more cerebral (as a generalisation). Contracting is high risk and tough and involves hours on project sites in distant corners of the UK and the globe. It has taught me a lot about people and teamwork. Consultancy has the advantage of sitting strategically alongside the client at early stages of development. There is a better visibility and understanding
What is the highlight of your career and what are your future plans? My values are as much personal and driven around family as they are about work. Career highlights though include renegotiating the commercial framework for the Metronet Track Partnership and generally being part of that delivery team and being able to watch it grow and succeed. Future plans include spending more time on positively influencing industry change, perhaps work with a smaller company, and spending time with family.
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R E S O U R C ES
Isabelle Cheng outlines the wealth of information available to students through isurv to help them in their studies and beyond
C Created and managed by RICS, www.isurv.com is an online powerhouse of knowledge that supports many disciplines within the surveying community. But did you know that isurv can also help students on surveying courses in their areas of study? Access to this reliable and user-friendly reference tool 20
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Through the portal is free for students at all RICS-accredited universities, and help broaden your subject knowledge, gain valuable commercial awareness and build a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to succeed in the surveying industry. Once in the industry, isurv helps practitioners to keep on top of RICS best practice, guidance and the most pertinent developments, in construction, building surveying, valuation, commercial property, residential, planning and rural to the APC, professional conduct and the environment and sustainability. With isurv you can: b access materials designed for APC candidates; it is never
too early to think about chartership and this can put you one step ahead of the game in being aware of the opportunities available b keep your technical knowledge up to date; isurv provides authoritative commentary and guidance on a wide variety of subjects written by some of the best practitioners and legal experts in the industry b keep yourself informed on the current RICS best practice guidelines, legislation and standards b get additional insight through a case library full of case studies with real life experiences b see the professional conduct channel for the
latest issues affecting our members b read the latest RICS technical journal articles on a range of surveying topics b browse the RICS market surveys and research sitting alongside the commentary b use the isurv glossary of terms, which becomes bespoke to each channel when you navigate to the channel landing page b browse the RICS backlist of books and dig into the guidance archive. Isurv is managed by a team of commissioning editors, who ensure that material is updated on a regular basis, and that new content is published in line with industry needs and developments. Image Š iStock
RICS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BUILT ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL
The fact that it’s an online resource with powerful search capability can save students a lot of time – you can quickly and easily search for what you need, instead of sifting through a pile of textbooks and reference volumes How frequently is it updated? Each channel is updated four times a year by both authors and RICS editorial staff. Authors are not only commissioned to write new sections but also to maintain them, ensuring that their content doesn’t go out of date. We also have a dedicated team of technical editors to manage the quarterly updates, with all content meticulously checked prior to publication to ensure that content is both accurate and accessible.
Digital portal Isurv is a modern resource for the modern surveyor, a high-quality and comprehensive knowledge portal that also manages to be accessible, time-efficient and environmentally friendly. Unlike printed works, the digital format enables content to be continually updated so that it remains relevant. What makes it relevant to students? The fact that it’s an online resource with powerful search capability can save students a lot of time—you can quickly and easily search for what you need, on the move if needs be, instead of sifting through a pile of textbooks and reference volumes. It’s completely in line with modern methods of studying. It’s also an RICS-managed and accredited resource, with authors chosen on the basis of their professional expertise, which makes isurv a very authoritative and reliable port of call. And lastly, isurv has a very practical
focus, with content written by experienced practitioners as well as case studies taken from real-life business situations. It can help students improve their commercial awareness—and through that, also their employability on graduation. Any hidden gems? RICS guidance, journal articles, templates and forms, RICS books, market research, case studies and legislation are all free if you are a subscriber to isurv. It’s all rich material for study. But in terms of hidden gems, check out the comprehensive case study collection, or our guidance archive tool, which allows you to look up guidance by date. For example, say a company was accused of not adhering to guidance during a project they had managed in 2000, they could look up isurv to prove that the guidance referred to in the law suit had only come into place in 2010 and therefore they were not in breach. For those already thinking about the route to chartership,
we also have an area specifically tailored for APC students, covering a wide range of topics such as advice on the final APC interview and presentation, overview of key competencies, pointers for preparing for the final assessment and explanations of all the APC Pathways. How is the content selected? Commissioning editors focus on what our customers need to know and ensure that the content is in line with important developments in the industry. Members of our editorial boards advise us; being highly experienced practitioners in the industry, they are well placed to offer feedback. We also have first-hand access to new RICS guidance, policy and regulations in the pipeline so are able to commission supporting content accordingly. We also work with our RICS professional groups, who work at the forefront of issues affecting members, and as such they are able to relay any information needs to us.
How widely used is the channel? We have a very broad customer base, because practitioners from all parts of the industry find isurv helpful to them. Our clients span the big, multinational infrastructure and construction clients, consultants and contractors to management consultancies, city law firms, local authorities, SMEs and universities. If your university does not have a subscription, it might be worth recommending isurv to your university librarian and asking them to get in touch with our sales team at mailorder@rics.org b
More information >
To find out more about isurv, visit www.rics.org/isurvhub
Isabelle Cheng is a Commissioning Editor for isurv
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R E S O U R CES
Cost information is just a click away to support both learning and practice, says David Perestrelo
Data on demand
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or the past 50 years, the RICS Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) has been collecting, aggregating, analysing, modelling, and interpreting data on behalf of the industry. Today, BCIS makes that information easily accessible through online applications, software services, calculators, publications and data licences. The service is free for students to use as long as their university or college are subscribers. BCIS also provides consultancy and research support to clients from both the public and private sectors. Services include measuring price movement, benchmarking, market research, statistical analysis, forecasting and impact studies. At the core of these services is BCIS’ ability and experience. By using BCIS, students can get early practice on standards and procedures they will use once they start their working life. The information and data provided will help with course work and with all the information in one place, cut down research times in writing dissertations. From its inception, BCIS has been the guardian of the Standard Form of Cost
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Analysis (SFCA) (see panel). The current 4th version was published in 2012, and is based on common elemental definitions and cost breakdown structure with the RICS New Rules of Measurement for capital and maintenance cost planning (NRM1 and NRM3). The internet-based service supports professionals in construction, infrastructure and valuations markets, and provides the only independent data of quality and quantity in the market, updated every day through its team of analysts. An unrivalled archive lists projects going back 40 years. Collecting data from its subscribers and government departments provides a real market view and a true reflection of what is going on.
Get ahead The BCIS platform can support students on various subjects from practising early cost advice to costing up life cycle costs of a building, reinstatement costs and many more. The Schedule of Rates provides a simple user interface that will allow students to practise estimating, checking rates, cost planning, benchmarking and loss checking; getting you ready with real data including detailed work items split in to labour, plant and materials. Image Š Alamy
Setting the standard RICS published its first edition of the Standard Form of Cost Analysis (SFCA) in 1961. In the same year, it set up BCIS to act as a central repository for the exchange of elemental cost analyses, a role it still fulfils today. A second edition of SFCA was issued in 1969. This could be considered the definitive edition, remaining unchanged until 2008 with subsequent editions seeking only to clarify the definitions, expand on the sub-elements in the light of modern construction techniques, and take account of questions of interpretation raised by users. It was endorsed by all the major government procurement departments, with many producing their own in-house branded editions for use by their staff. Over 45 years, the SFCA data structure became the accepted default for expressing costs for budgeting, estimating, cost planning, cost recording and benchmarking.
RICS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BUILT ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL
Asking price The vast range of data products include: b building analyses and average prices provide elemental and pound per square metre costs of buildings b tender price, output price, resource cost and price adjustment formulae indices for buildings and civil engineering; we also provide these indices for building running costs in addition to these the plant and equipment indices are for valuation of assets b duration calculator for construction projects to estimate preliminaries and other reporting b maintenance and life cycle costs – benchmarking data allows subscribers to set accurate budgets for the running, upkeep and repair of the buildings throughout their lifespan providing the total cost of investment b residential reinstatement calculator, based on BCIS house models providing credible data for insurers to provide adequate cover and competitive pricing b schedule of rates is an excellent online alternative to paper-based price books, to create abstracts for estimating projects costs without the use of special software. The data covers major and minor building works, alterations and refurbishment, building maintenance through to civil engineering. It can be fine-tuned to reflect inflation and regional price difference b day works, wages and contract percentages offers national rates for benchmarking, inserting into contracts and checking specific project costs b infrastructure information service provides a range of tools to manage inflation, predict cost trends for long term contracts and benchmark project costs.
The reputation of BCIS’ independent cost information is unrivalled
More information >
www.rics.org/uk/knowledge/bcis/ about-bcis/forms-and-documents/
Once the studying is over, BCIS still provides excellent support to industry professionals with measuring price movement, benchmarking, market research, statistical analysis, forecasting and impact studies through five key areas: b construction, building and civil engineering b maintenance b rebuilding b bespoke solution b insurance.
Be a part The reputation of BCIS’ independent cost information is unrivalled. Subscribers see the information as business critical. They stay year after year and are regularly joined by new users. The data is used by consultants, clients and contractors to produce specific estimates for option appraisals, early cost advice, cost planning, reinstatement costs, benchmarking, whole life costing, facilities, and maintenance budgeting. What’s more, the service is increasingly being called on by government bodies and private developers to deliver bespoke research and consultancy projects. b David Perestrelo is RICS Product Manager for Data Products
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Role models John Klahn talks to RICS Certified BIM Managers about how their BIM journeys have progresed The RICS building information modelling (BIM) strategy was developed in 2011 to support the construction industry with understanding, implementing and delivering BIM for the benefit of all involved. The strategy spans the entire organisation, involving the development of standards, training, conferences, qualifications, as well as information and data products. The next BIM targets for the UK industry are part of the government Construction 2025 strategy document, and it is current students who will be in the position to realise these goals and visions. RICS BIM Manager Certification was developed to recognise those championing and supporting BIM implementation, whether as construction consultants, property managers, contractors or clients. It is widely accepted that 80% of the success of BIM delivery relies on culture changes and 20% on technology developments, and this is reflected in the skills required to achieve certification. Applicants must demonstrate three core [c] and one optional [o] competency: Initiation [c]: What BIM is, why it’s needed and how you justify this to others Process [c]: How BIM is used, why a defined process is needed and what you need to do to follow this Collaboration and integration [c]: What environment is needed to use BIM, why collaboration is essential and how you create this environment Technology [o]: How software is selected and used to create an effective BIM environment Commercial and contract [o]: How the model and datasets are used to allow all parties to meet their responsibilities and provide an effective asset handover
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BIM
Allister Lewis Architect, Hampshire County Council Property Services Industry experience: 15 years Qualification: MRICS BIM journey started: 2008 Role: implementation across the organisation and across the life cycle of a project.
How did you get involved with BIM? For Jane Foulkes, Associate Director at Faithful and Gould, there was no choice in the matter: she was a pre-construction project manager on Cookham Wood Prison Young Offenders Institution, the first government trial project to test the application and benefits of BIM Level 2. Meanwhile, Allister Lewis’ start at Portsmouth City Council demonstrates how the use of BIM has grown. Beginning with a ‘lonely’ project (a sports hall) that incorporated only his own design input, his next project (a community centre) included collaboration with a structural engineer. When he moved to his current role this was followed by the addition of the MEP consultants for a primary school. Shahida Rajabdeen has been involved in various internal initiatives relating to collaborative technologies and processes as a senior quantity surveyor at Faithful and Gould. She first heard of BIM when asked if she wanted to be involved in what was “widely considered to be the future of the construction industry”. Others started their BIM journeys as part of their master’s degree dissertations. What is the reality? “Don’t be distracted by flashy technology,” argues Sarah Davidson, Director of Research at Gleeds. BIM Consulting/Training Manager at BRE Daniel Rossiter agrees: “BIM is about how the data is structured and exchanged; it is a process driven system.” Having achieved RICS BIM Manager Certification at Cardiff City Council, he believes that “there will be a lot less confusion in the industry if this message is given to everyone at the start of their journey”.
Daniel Rossiter BIM Consulting/Training Manager, BRE Industry experience: 5 years Qualification: ACIAT BIM journey started: 2011 Role: to manage BIM services, including consultancy, education and certification.
In Hong Kong, Sunny SL Choi encountered a common mindset among quantity surveyors: “I’m afraid BIM will replace me” or “BIM is just a design tool and nothing to do with quantity surveying”. However, his experience at the Housing Department “reinforced [his] vision that by collaborating with designers, modellers, software vendors and contractors it is possible for quantity surveyors to use BIM for preparation of bills of quantities”, he says. How has it affected your job responsibilities? Mac Muzvimwe, Associate Director and Head of BIM at Faithful and Gould, believes that the advance of technology means the information “needs managing to ensure it remains effective”. For him, “BIM is a way of working. I view being a BIM manager as an added value service to core duties”. Jane Foulkes agrees: “BIM enhances and makes simpler and more efficient what people already do in construction.” Her knowledge of BIM makes her able to help clients and project stakeholders, and she says “define what they want to achieve and ensure that the right questions are being asked of their supply chains to get the result they aspire to”. This holistic view of BIM as both an adjunct to existing professional roles and a role in its own right is mirrored in the responsibilities stated by other RICS Certified BIM Managers who: b produce BIM execution plans b challenge the requirements b coordinate output to deliver efficiently b update internal protocols b audit BIM on colleagues’ projects
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Shahida Rajabdeen Senior Quantity Surveyor, Faithful and Gould Industry experience: 9 years Qualification: MRICS BIM journey started: 2011 Role: Strategic – drafting client standards and protocols, and delivery.
Mac Muzvimwe Associate Director, Faithful and Gould Industry experience: 17 years Qualification: MRICS BIM journey started: 2008 Role: to raise awareness, helping draft business cases, handbooks and templates.
Jason Whittall Director, One Creative Environments Ltd Industry experience: 17 years Qualification: RIBA BIM journey started: 2011 Role: to deliver the Employers Information Requirements and monitor the model output.
b contribute to external BIM groups b educate internal and external stakeholders.
to examining the benefits on site – particularly with clash detection and coordination of a complex job.”
What projects have you been involved with? The projects range in financial value from a £1.2bn university estate to a £10,000 toilet refurbishment, and from newbuild to existing buildings. Jason Whittall, Director at One Creative Environments Ltd, was design leader and BIM manager for a micro-hotel project to convert hundreds of shipping containers into four high-quality bedrooms to provide rapidly deployable accommodation. Without BIM to integrate the architect, structural and mechanical engineer within the same digital environment, the project “would have taken much longer and been far less efficient and coordinated…. BIM was the glue we were looking for to improve inter-disciplinary collaboration and data management”, he says. In contrast, Allister Lewis used BIM to plan the refurbishment and extension of an existing Victorian building. All consultants worked together in 3D and produced information on the £4.5m project, and the quantity surveyors completed the model to form the bill of quantities. “I’m looking forward
Is RICS BIM Manager Certification relevant? “It has given credibility in an area where there is a lot of hype and uncertainty,” says Gleeds’ Davidson. Rossiter adds that “there is a lot of misinformation and ‘BIMwash’ in the industry, which can confuse those who may not fully understand it”. Certification gives confidence to BIM practitioners, employers, clients and other project stakeholders, he says. “It validates my BIM experience to date”, and confirms we are going about BIM the right way, “recognising genuine expertise”. The process of gaining certification has also provided a benchmark and allowed them to reflect on what they have learnt. Davidson admits that “there is still a lot to learn”, but that the industry needs a standard and Lewis is “impressed that RICS recognised this so early and put its certification in place”.
Certification has given credibility in an area where there is a lot of hype and uncertainty
What is the future? Ian Aldous, Associate Quantity Surveyor at EC Harris, became BIM-enabled in 2008. “I was constantly amazed at how it can remove a lot of the uncertainties and release people to add true value to projects. Since then, I have viewed it as an obvious benefit that should be championed to ensure the industry meets its potential. Eventually it will become business as usual.” Rossiter supports this last point, hoping that “within 30 years the term BIM will become redundant”. Muzvimwe, who also
Ian Aldous Associate, EC Harris LLP Industry experience: 11 years Qualification: MRICS BIM journey started: 2008 Role: to define information a client wants delivered with their asset and ensure it is produced in a timely manner.
started his BIM journey in 2008, foresees the evolution of ‘green BIM’ allowing the industry to achieve its sustainability aspirations. Technology advances are the focus of Rajabdeen’s aspirations: “The integration of intelligent and smarter tools is inevitable for BIM’s future. As BIM matures, I believe we will be exploring augmented reality with our BIM models.” What advice would you give to others? “Be prepared to continually adapt,” says Whittall. “Get involved and ask questions,” is Aldous’ advice. “A specialist interest in BIM will stand you in good stead for any meaningful construction career.” Davidson recommends identifying what you want to achieve: “Think about where you can really add value.” Whether your activity is defined by your responsibilities as a manager, technician or coordinator, your identity as a client, consultant or contractor, or by the roles stipulated in protocols, the success of BIM requires proactive involvement from all stakeholders and management of information for both implementation and use throughout the property life cycle. b
More information >
If you are planning to champion and support BIM implementation when you graduate, visit rics.org/biminsight to find out how RICS’ solutions can help. For a full list of BIM managers, visit rics.org/bimmanager John Klahn is RICS Certifications Development Manager
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BIM
Tricks of the trade Research on the use of BIM has shown the UK is ahead in equipping practitioners with the necessary skills, as Christopher Willis and Clint Kissoon explain
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s the development and adoption of building information modelling (BIM) continues in major construction markets worldwide, it is important for both built environment professionals and students to appreciate its impact on the industry, particularly in North America, China and the UK where it is gaining significant traction. But practitioners in these three countries will need to possess a range of competencies in digital technologies to be effective in the use of BIM, particularly for cost and project management, a 2015 research project commissioned by RICS, Kissoon et al concludes. It also identifies BIM skills as essential from a career perspective. In North America, architects are likely to collaborate with other project participants using BIM in construction cost and project management practices. Best practice is flagged as “assigning ownership and responsibility for the accuracy of various types of building information” and “having clear and consistent rules and protocols when accessing and updating [a] building information model”. Unfortunately, according to the research, the North American construction market has not been able to standardise rules and protocols or address ownership and responsibility issues. The immediate implication is that built environment professionals are expected to apply differing rules and protocols as they work on different projects, and with various clients. They will also be expected to deal with unique BIM ownership and responsibility issues as they transition from one project to the next.
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Therefore, to be successful in this market, they must not only understand different rules and protocols used by clients, as well as adapt to processes governed by different ownership and responsibility constraints, but must also possess soft skills that will enable them to deal with changes to BIM processes and practices. This is likely to be the case until the North American construction market establishes standardised BIM rules and protocols. Kissoon et al discovered that the use of BIM in construction cost and project management practices in China bore many similarities. It was revealed, however, that China faces different challenges with respect to interoperability issues among local software applications and popular BIM tools as well as a lack of a China-specific BIM content library. While this has many implications for the skills and competencies required to function on projects implemented using BIM in China’s construction market, the immediate concern is that they may have to achieve a higher technical skill-set in order to manipulate software programs, given various incompatibility issues. As a
UK government’s mandating of collaborative 3D BIM by 2016 has caused the UK industry to advance at a greater pace in its adoption and uptake
result, it would be reasonable to predict that within China built environment education in BIM may focus more on technical, rather than on management and process issues as is currently the case in the North American market. In contrast, the UK construction industry is more advanced in the implementation of BIM compared to North America and China, the research found. Primarily, this is because the UK government’s Construction 2025 mandating of collaborative 3D BIM by 2016 has caused the UK industry to advance at a greater pace in its adoption and uptake. The major challenge is that the UK construction industry still operates within rigid discipline specific professional groups. It is expected that UK-based built environment professionals will have to
RICS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BUILT ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL
embrace the fact that integrated project delivery will become more common within the UK construction market. As BIM continues to evolve in these three major construction markets, current and future built environment professionals will be required to demonstrate specific competencies. For example, they will have to be competent in applying BIM processes and technologies in estimating, project control and contract administration. While it is expected that the curriculum of built environment education programmes will be revised in the long term to reflect new BIM-centric learning outcomes, in the short term, professionals and students may have to undertake additional post-secondary training and certification to possess the necessary skills to advance the Image © iStock
use of BIM in construction cost and project management. Based on the expected trajectory of BIM development in these three construction markets, built environment careers such as quantity surveying, project management, and architecture will undergo a transformation of their core competencies, with acquired knowledge and skills in BIM management processes and practices becoming more pronounced. Of the three construction markets, it is expected that the UK construction market will grow the fastest with respect to BIM knowledge and competencies, as a direct result of the UK government’s interventions; an approach that currently appears to be lacking in the North American and Chinese markets. b
Christopher Willis is a Professor and Clint Kissoon MRICS is Chair of the School of Architectural Studies and Angelo Del Zotto School of Construction Management, George Brown College, Toronto, Canada
More information >
To download C Kissoon, C Willis, T Regmi, J Zhang and F Cheung Utilisation of BIM in construction cost and project management practices: North America, China and the UK, visit www.rics.org/bimuse For more details of RICS’ involvement with BIM, visit www.rics.org/collaborativebim www.rics.org/bimvalue 2015 EDITION
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I N TE R N AT IO NA L STA N DA RDS
Alan Muse looks at how the new International Construction Measurement Standards will harmonise cost, classification and measurement definitions across the global construction sector
Measuring up
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hatever your view of it, football is a global success story. It is worth reflecting, however, that the humble origins of the game, played in the medieval villages of England, would not have developed into a truly international game without the formulation of agreed rules and standards. Business practices are increasingly demanding global rules. We have seen this in the accounting arena, with international financial accounting standards, and, with 70% of global wealth in land and property, valuation, measurement of property and ethics are prime candidates. Similarly, construction is the risky intervention that turns land into property or an asset. In the UK, standards have made an annual contribution of £2.5bn to the economy, and 13% of the growth in labour productivity was attributed to standards. Standards have also been identified as enablers of innovation and facilitators of technological change. Construction is a large contributor to world GDP and is recognised as having a significant ‘multiplier’ effect on national economies. It is also an increasingly mobile industry with projects carried out on an international basis. Global investment in construction is also rapidly changing (see Figure 1) and standards are required in emerging and developing economies. Principally in developing and emerging economies, construction is also forecast to grow by 70% by 2025 as urbanisation gathers pace (see Figure 2). However, uncertainty, or risk, is a major drag on investment in construction and infrastructure, often caused by a lack of comparable, consistent and 28
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collaborative standards. This lack of measurement standards means that construction projects, their inherent works elements and the resultant assets are incomparable from one geographical market to another. In addition, robust global benchmarks for cost, time, quality, risk and technology are not available. At a micro level, surveys carried out by RICS (BCIS) in 2009 and the European Council of Construction Economists of cost consultants in 40 countries have shown that: b approximately 50% of countries did not claim any published standard elemental classification of building parts b in the absence of locally agreed standards, professionals frequently adopt ‘foreign’ standards or ad hoc in-house developed standards b there is no common way of expressing cost per m2, both in terms of the cost definition and the floor area b there are many countries where the quality of cost information and data classification falls short of what local professionals might wish. BCIS concluded in its survey: “Although there are countries with quite complete cost related standards and information sources, there appear to be many more where the quality of published guidance and cost information falls short of what local professionals might wish.”
Consistency call At a macro level and based on research carried out by Stephen Gruneberg at the University of Westminster, consistent approaches are required as to what is included in, or excluded from, construction activity, and how variables should be measured and presented. This needs to take account of the data requirements of statisticians, Image © Alamy
policy makers, international bodies, industry, researchers and others. It is an international issue and needs to be addressed at that level; construction is too important a sector of the economy to be measured so poorly. One product of the lack of international measurement standards is that comparison of construction works between countries is inefficient and inconsistent. This scenario creates a barrier to well-informed investment decisions, from commercial real estate portfolios, through to the individual dwellings and land rights of the poorest sections of society. Hence, the need for international standards in land, property and construction is well founded. International Property Measurement Standards (IPMS) have already been established as a coalition of bodies to agree, sector by sector, international standards for floor areas used in valuation, property management and construction. This now constitutes more than 60 organisations and a new code, RICS Property Measurement (incorporating
RICS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BUILT ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL
Figure 1:
Figure 3:
International growth in construction to 2020
Connecting international land, property and construction standards
Percentage contribution to growth in Global Construction Output 2010-20 by country
Construction (ICMS)
34% others
4% Indonesia
28% China
3% Australia
16% USA
3% Canada
10% India
2% Russia
Valuation and Ethics (IVS/IES) Property (IPMS)
Land (ILMS)
Figure 2: Growth in cities to 2030 1.1bn 1.0bn Cities of 500,000 to 1 million
0.9bn
Cities of 1 to 5 million
0.8bn
Cities of 5 to 10 million
0.7bn
Megacities of over 10 million
0.6bn 0.5bn 0.4bn 0.3bn 0.2bn 0.1bn 0
294 cities
239 cities
21 cities
10 cities
525 cities
417 cities
1990
IPMS) 1st edition, has been issued. IPMS for residential has also recently been published for consultation. Construction, land and property standards will connect at a measurement level, and cross-professional valuation and ethical standards will sit at the core (see Figure 3). The international measurement standard principles will integrate with detailed measurement standards in accordance with local market jurisdictions, to ensure that standards are adopted bottom up. These will be developed in consultation with expert, international practitioners and panels, subject to international consultation and stakeholder review. All this will improve certainty in construction and enhance project performance for the users of the industry. This, we believe, is central to the mission of a professional body.
Coalition starts work Accordingly, more than 30 professional bodies from around the world met at the beginning of June 2015 at the International Monetary Fund
in Washington DC to launch the International Construction Measurement Standards (ICMS). The ICMS Coalition was established by non-profit organisations representing professionals in more than 140 countries. Collectively, the group aims to harmonise cost, classification and measurement definitions to enhance comparability, consistency, statistics, and benchmarking of capital projects. Inevitably, the coalition will continue to grow as further professional organisations come forward. Industry corporations, contractors and key government stakeholders are encouraged to contribute to, and lead adoption of, the new international framework in their capital markets. Work is already underway by an independent committee of construction experts, appointed by the coalition. Indeed, the Washington meeting represented a landmark moment for the construction, project management, cost engineering and quantity surveying sectors as a whole. This is the first time these professions have come together
43 cities
2014
28 cities
731 cities
558 cities
63 cities
41 cities
2030
in this way to develop unifying standards that reflect and enhance the increasingly international construction market. The coalition has stated its ambition to make tangible progress immediately, and to deliver an internationally agreed and adopted standard in the near future. Global is the new local. As overseas developers continue to invest significantly in UK property and the construction industry, ICMS is as relevant to UK practitioners as overseas professionals. It will connect to, and enhance, quantity surveying and cost management guidance in national markets and across measurement issues in land and property. It does, however, require some new thinking. As Albert Einstein remarked: “We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.� And team games require team solutions. b
Alan Muse FRICS is RICS Global Director of Built Environment
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STR ATE GY
Shape of the future Dan Cook and Chevon Erasmus Porter explore what the built environment sector will look like in 2030
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lobal expansion, changing demographics and technological advances are the key trends driving and reshaping the world in which we live and work. Digital advances, a mobile workforce and unprecedented urbanisation will bring challenges and opportunities never encountered before. New markets, products and services bring a need for housing, infrastructure and education as the world grapples with changes to real estate and society as a whole. So how can the built environment sector proactively respond? How will it shape where we will live and what skills will it need to be relevant? To find the answer to some of these questions, RICS decided to place strategic foresight at the forefront of its planning and engagement with global stakeholders, to ensure that the built 30
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environment plays a lead role in taking responsibility for the future of the profession. This research culminated in the launch of our Futures report Our changing world: let’s be ready in April 2015, which reflects our vision of the world in 2030. The report contains strategic actions we can take from today and over the next few years to help ensure that we, the profession, are prepared. Over three years, RICS carried out intensive research through horizon scanning, scenario planning and simulation to create and consider alternate futures. We engaged with a range of industry leaders, practitioners, students and firms through workshops, conferences and other global events, in-depth interviews and research to identify where the most significant changes are occurring, which drivers and trends have the greatest implications for the surveying profession and the wider built environment sector.
Greater urbanisation and changing demographics: Today, 54% of the world’s population lives in cities. By 2050, this is expected to rise to 66%. The rapid growth in urbanisation globally will impact on how new infrastructure is delivered, how cities are planned and what professional skills are required to feed this demand. The ageing of established economies and youth population booms in Africa will also change demands on use of the built environment. Shifts in economic power: We are beginning to see clear shifts in economic power, especially with the emergence of the BRICS group of countries that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The group is fast moving beyond political links and is now establishing its own financial institution, the New Development Bank, to be based in Shanghai. The many new companies and institutions are now participating in regional and global economies and the BRICS role as a political and economic Image © iStock
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ethical principles for the profession, especially in the wake of the global financial crisis. Building trust and ensuring better outcomes for society are themes we expect to see rising up the agenda in the period to 2030. Greater resource scarcity and growing importance of sustainability: In many parts of the world, water, food, minerals or energy supply have come under pressure, making the issue of resource management crucial for economic development. Against the rising population and demand for new development, our profession has the ability to lead by promoting better use of land and agricultural management, and advising on the most efficient ways to manage resources in the built environment.
The professional of the future
player, together with other rising markets, will continue to grow in influence for both the built environment sector and the professionals who advise on asset development and management. Growing middle class: A growing middle class means growth in consumption. This will trigger the need for more housing and better planning in cities to accommodate greater numbers of vehicles on the road and retail or business developments. A study by Oxford Economics expects construction output by 2025 to grow by as much as 70% to US$15 trillion. Notably, China and India, are expected to contribute to one third of this output. Inequality and instability: Notwithstanding the various global efforts at reducing poverty, the wealth gap remains and is a major contributing factor to unrest and volatility around the world. With almost 70% of the world’s wealth bound up in real assets, our sector has a critical role in ensuring quality housing and infrastructure, as well as strong
Surveying may have a long history, but roles are continuously adapting to our evolving world. Technological advances will mean major change for many professionals as they replace certain tasks and transform building processes to improve efficiency and productivity. Big data, complex projects and the need for collaboration will drive new skillset needs. On top of this, the cyclical nature of our sector (especially construction, sale of properties, resource booms and greater global mobility) will raise challenges for employers trying to meet skills needs. Our journey starts now. We believe the key areas of focus for our sector to take action going forward are: b War for talent: How do we attract the next generation of professionals, retain that talent, promote diversity and ensure that the right education is available to meet our sector’s needs? b Future cities: How does our sector contribute to reforming land use planning, integrating smart technology, building resilience, helping to define the economic and social purpose of place-making and delivering affordable community infrastructure? b Embracing technology and big data: Our goal must be to create new value through the integration of datasets, the building of analytical capability and embedding new technology by changing
systems and processes. Our profession needs to place itself at the forefront of change and help to change mindsets. b Leadership: Leadership is needed across the land, real estate and construction sectors, including representation at board level, a stronger voice in government and collaboration across professional bodies. b Ethics: The issue is becoming a critical part of professional behaviour and is an area where more work is needed. RICS has recently launched, with a coalition of partners, the International Ethics Standards, which aims to create a set of global principles for the profession. A view expressed many times is that a stronger commitment to sustainability from our sector is needed to bring about positive change. This might be action by our industry’s leaders, greater convergence of standards and measurement and through smarter government policy interventions and direction. In conducting our research for the report, we held more than 100 round tables, workshops and interviews with professionals with varying experience levels and expertise, across Asia, South Asia, Africa, the US, Europe and South America. More than 500 people contributed. Together we can respond to these challenges and ensure that our sector and professions are equipped to be successful in a fast-paced changing global environment. The future may be inescapable, but it can be shaped by those who think about it today. In other words, to shape the future you must first imagine it. b
More information >
If you would like to participate in any of our Futures work, get in touch at futures@rics.org #ricsfutures The report is available to download at www.rics.org/changingworld Dan Cook is RICS Director of Strategy and Chevon Erasmus Porter RICS Global Communications and External Affairs Adviser
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R E C R U I TMENT
Find a career, not just a job RICS Recruit is the leading source of surveying vacancies in the construction, land and property sectors worldwide
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hat better place to start looking for that first role in the industry than RICS Recruit, which provides all the information you need to get ahead. b It is the official jobs board for RICS b It gives unparalleled access to the surveying and property industries b Guaranteed access to newly qualified chartered surveyors and students for recruiters.
Prospects on the up The RICS and Macdonald & Company Rewards & Attitudes Survey 2015 showed business confidence and sentiment remains positive across the UK property sector. Almost 60% of organisations believe they will increase headcount this year. Of these, 44% believe their company will hire qualified or experienced professionals, while 37% anticipate their company hiring at graduate and entry level roles this year. This is great news for students looking for their first role in the industry.More good news was shown by survey responses to salaries. The average UK property professional salary is now at its highest level for the past eight years, and has increased to £54,771, rising by 7% from last year. All aged groups secured on average an increase on 2014, with those aged 18-22 and 23-26 securing the highest 32
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average salary increase at 25.6% and 8.3% respectively. While the majority of survey participants (84%) were satisfied, with their current job, 32% of respondents state that they are either very or fairly likely to move job in the next 12 months, down 5% from last year. An improved salary remains the primary motivation for leaving an employer, although the relative importance has decreased by 1% year on year since 2013. Career progression (68%), range of interesting work (57%) and better benefits package (52%) also continue to be important reasons to leave an existing employer. In this improving job market, RICS Recruit can help connect you with your dream job. You can sign up for our ‘jobs by email’ alerts for free.
CV tips If your CV is informative and interesting to read, it will open doors for you. Follow these simple tips to help you stand out from the crowd: b keep your prospective employer’s point of view in mind b emphasise your potential based on your academic achievements
b explain how your experience relates to the work they want done b make your case economically b keep your CV brief but informative b tailor your CV to your potential employer. Why not upload your CV to RICS Recruit for free to make your job hunt easier? By adding yourself to the database, you could get headhunted for your dream role. You can also read articles about career planning and the property profession on the RICS Recruit Graduate Hub.
Working abroad Surveying opportunities can take you all over the world, working on the most exciting projects. Finding work abroad is not as difficult as it seems. RICS Recruit is a global job board, with more than 10% of our users based outside the UK and seeking jobs in various global regions. C
More information >
Visit www.ricsrecruit.com
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RICS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BUILT ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL
Item code: 20220 Price: £115
Construction Datasets 2016 Working from the latest construction pricing data is essential for preparing and checking estimates and variations, cash flow analysis, labour and durations, benchmarking quotes, litigation and much, much more.
Item code: 20219 Price: £165
Maintained by professional quantity surveyors and experienced estimators, the newly updated construction datasets cover an unrivalled level of detail and are compliant with the industry standard methods of measurement.
Enhanced Schedule of Rates All the Price Book information is accessible via the newly enhanced BCIS Schedule of Rates. The online service makes accessing the latest construction rates for comparing and benchmarking estimates easier than ever before. Find out more at rics.org/newscheduleofrates
Order your Construction Datasets at rics.org/bcispricebooks or call us on +44 (0)24 7686 8555 BCIS – Provider of independent cost data and analysis
RICS Recruit Where recruiters go to find the best surveyors in the industry RICS Recruit is the UK’s No. 1 built environment job recruitment board with almost 1,000 active vacancies in the UK and around the world. RICS Recruit is packed full of knowledge and guidance to support your career development.
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@ricsrecruit
RICS Recruit
ricsrecruit.com
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RICS I N T E RN AT I O N AL STU D EN T BU I LT E N V I RON M EN T J O U R N A L
A DV E RTI S I N G
Item code: 20221 Price: £202
New Dilapidations Dataset The 2015 edition is set out in accordance with the RICS New Rules of Measurement and includes over 4,000 supply and install costs. Its authoritative information is provided by experienced, specialist estimators, all presented in easily accessible trade sections – saving you time at the initial estimating stage for work required on a Schedule of Dilapidations.
Enhanced Schedule of Rates The BCIS Dilapidations Price Data information is accessible via the newly enhanced BCIS Schedule of Rates. The online service makes accessing the latest construction rates for comparing and benchmarking estimates easier than ever before. Find out more at rics.org/newscheduleofrates
Order your Dilapidations Dataset at rics.org/bcispricebooks or call us on +44 (0)24 7686 8555 BCIS – Provider of independent cost data and analysis
We are the leading supplier of Books JCT and NEC contracts Standards and other digital products for professionals throughout the property and the construction industry. Free UK delivery on orders over £75
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2015 EDITION