Professional Practice 1 - QSB 2615

In Professional Practice 1, we learnt much more theory compared to calculations or any of the like. To me, Professional Practice 1 in Semester 4 is just like our Construction Technology subjects in Semester 1 till Semester 3. However, covering a different scope of topics. In Professional Practice 1, we learnt a lot about contracting, tendering, procurement methods and different approaches of solving contractual disputes in this industry. The topics covered were basically Tender and Contract documentation, Introduction to the role of Quantity Surveyors, Procurement, Contractual Arrangements, Tendering methods and procedure, Tender examination and report, Variation: PC Sums and Provisional Sums, Claims and interim valuation, Delays; Extension of time; damages; guarantee and bond.

It is an interesting module as through this module we managed to cover lots of important aspects of being a quantity surveyor. It opened my eyes as to how being a quantity surveyor would not only require calculations and measurements but it would require lots of knowledge regarding contract methods and more. It showed me how a quantity surveyor is important and is needed to manage budget, and to manage one of the most important liquidated element in the industry which is money.

To me, I found this subject interesting as we were taught the things that we wouldn't be able to understand if we saw it happening. For example, we all knew that a certain project would have to go through the stage of tendering before the project is awarded to a specific contractor. However, little did we know that there are so many different methods of tendering and if that's not enough, there are also so many different types of contractual arrangement and procurement methods to go along with the tendering. We managed to learn how the employer, consultants and contractor have their different roles in these different stages of handing over the project. We also managed to learn how different methods are actually selected based on comparison and the nature of project and so on.

We had a midterm test which covered the three anchor topics of this module which are the procurement methods, contractual arrangements and tendering methods and procedure. We then were given an individual assignment to complete. The assignment was about the same three anchor topics. We were given situational question where we had to decide for the client which would be the best procurement method, contractual arrangement and tendering procedure. Then we had to compare and explain the reasons why we would recommend as such, to the client. Upon completion of the comparison and explanation, we had to type out a letter of recommendation to the client, to be bound together with our explanation and comparison.

My coverpage for the individual assignment

The letter of recommendation to the client

The final decision and recommendation as a conclusion and wrap up from the comparison and explanation.

The assignment required us to type out a total of 3,000 words which we thought would be a great challenge at the beginning. However, through the completion period of the assignment, I realised that it wasn't so tough to type a total of 3,000 words as true enough as said by the lecturer, we would have a lot to compare and explain.

It was a good assignment as it wrapped up the three most important topic of the module and this assignment definitely helped us to research more and learn more about these topics.