Emerging Needs of Construction Cost Managers: The Case of Malaysian Quantity Surveying Profession

Abstract

Quantity surveying is an essential component in any construction development worldwide and offers services across various industries. In Malaysia, the quantity surveying (QS) profession is managed by the Board of Quantity Surveying Malaysia or BQSM. It is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament, namely under the Quantity Surveying Act 1967. Similarly, the independent organization that oversees the quality and standard of a QS is none other than the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM). RISM is a Malaysia’s professional body for Surveyors. Globally, the QS profession has undergone momentous revolution, embracing career paths and services offered both within and beyond the construction industry. With this period of change, the roles of the quantity surveying professionals are changing. This has created opportunities for quantity surveyors to seize the initiative to broaden their involvement in other industries. However, in order for quantity surveyors to venture into other industries, they will have to improve their competencies’ sets and their knowledge bases. Therefore, the aim of this research work is to establish the emerging needs within the QS profession in order to provide directives for positive impact on the Malaysian construction industry. Primary data were collected via questionnaire. Percentile, mean internal score, were employed in the analysis. The study concludes that expanding the QS profession to new sectors, providing QS services for infrastructure works, strong government support in undertaking civil engineering works and establishment of an online academy with emphasis given to BIM and electronic measurement, ADR, and construction data analytics are in dire need by the RISM members (QS Division).