Data and Technology for Quantity Surveyors and Cost Managers

We are studying the role and importance of data and technology in Quantity Surveying (QS) and Cost Management (CM) practice and welcome your response to this survey. No personal information is required. All answers will be anonymised and used for research purposes only. We will share summary results in a whitepaper that will be available for free download.

Thank you for participating in our survey. Your feedback is important.

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* 1. Are you an RICS member (student member, candidate, AssocRICS, MRICS or FRICS)?

Yes

Not sure

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* 2. How many full-time employees are in your organisation?

1-10

11-50

51-200

201- 1000

>1000

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* 3. Select your PRIMARY region of professional practice.

UK and Ireland

Europe

Asia Pacific

North America

Africa

Middle East

Latin America, including the Caribbean

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* 4. What are your organisation's service areas (select all that apply)?

Cost management and quantity surveying

Commercial management, project controls and contract management

Project, program, and portfolio management

Life cycle costing

Value engineering

Risk management

Supply chain management and procurement

Lender services

Strategic advice

Dispute advisory

Sustainability, including carbon emissions calculations

Multi-disciplinary consultancy, including design services

Building information modelling (BIM) management

Contracting, including sub-contracting and material supply

Real estate or infrastructure development

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* 5. Are you currently using estimating and quantification software in your QS and CM practice?

Yes, we are currently using estimating and quantification software with BIM and/or common data environment (CDE)

Yes, we are currently using estimating and quantification software without BIM or CDE

No, we are not using estimating and quantification software

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* 6. What is your usage level of the following digital tools in your QS and CM practice?

	None of our projects	Less than half of our projects	Half of our projects	Most of our projects	All our projects
Spreadsheets	Spreadsheets None of our projects	Spreadsheets Less than half of our projects	Spreadsheets Half of our projects	Spreadsheets Most of our projects	Spreadsheets All our projects
Estimating and quantification software	Estimating and quantification software None of our projects	Estimating and quantification software Less than half of our projects	Estimating and quantification software Half of our projects	Estimating and quantification software Most of our projects	Estimating and quantification software All our projects
Building information modelling (BIM)	Building information modelling (BIM) None of our projects	Building information modelling (BIM) Less than half of our projects	Building information modelling (BIM) Half of our projects	Building information modelling (BIM) Most of our projects	Building information modelling (BIM) All our projects
Common data environment (CDE)	Common data environment (CDE) None of our projects	Common data environment (CDE) Less than half of our projects	Common data environment (CDE) Half of our projects	Common data environment (CDE) Most of our projects	Common data environment (CDE) All our projects
Data analytics and visualisation	Data analytics and visualisation None of our projects	Data analytics and visualisation Less than half of our projects	Data analytics and visualisation Half of our projects	Data analytics and visualisation Most of our projects	Data analytics and visualisation All our projects
Artificial intelligence and advanced computational tools	Artificial intelligence and advanced computational tools None of our projects	Artificial intelligence and advanced computational tools Less than half of our projects	Artificial intelligence and advanced computational tools Half of our projects	Artificial intelligence and advanced computational tools Most of our projects	Artificial intelligence and advanced computational tools All our projects
Blockchain and smart contracts	Blockchain and smart contracts None of our projects	Blockchain and smart contracts Less than half of our projects	Blockchain and smart contracts Half of our projects	Blockchain and smart contracts Most of our projects	Blockchain and smart contracts All our projects
Drones and laser scanning	Drones and laser scanning None of our projects	Drones and laser scanning Less than half of our projects	Drones and laser scanning Half of our projects	Drones and laser scanning Most of our projects	Drones and laser scanning All our projects
Site logistics and inventory management software	Site logistics and inventory management software None of our projects	Site logistics and inventory management software Less than half of our projects	Site logistics and inventory management software Half of our projects	Site logistics and inventory management software Most of our projects	Site logistics and inventory management software All our projects
Digital twins for financial modelling	Digital twins for financial modelling None of our projects	Digital twins for financial modelling Less than half of our projects	Digital twins for financial modelling Half of our projects	Digital twins for financial modelling Most of our projects	Digital twins for financial modelling All our projects

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* 7. By using data and technology, QS and CM professionals can enhance their advisory role:

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly agree

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly agree

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* 8. What is the role of a QS and CM professional in carbon calculations (embodied and operational carbon over the life cycle) for projects and assets?

Leading role

Supporting role

No role

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* 9. Rank the following benefits of using data and technology in QS and CM workflows:

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* 10. Data and technology help my organisation give better consideration to the following inputs in my cost estimates:

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neutral	Agree	Strongly agree
Market conditions	Market conditions Strongly disagree	Market conditions Disagree	Market conditions Neutral	Market conditions Agree	Market conditions Strongly agree
Inflation	Inflation Strongly disagree	Inflation Disagree	Inflation Neutral	Inflation Agree	Inflation Strongly agree
Procurement strategy	Procurement strategy Strongly disagree	Procurement strategy Disagree	Procurement strategy Neutral	Procurement strategy Agree	Procurement strategy Strongly agree
Benchmarks and historical data	Benchmarks and historical data Strongly disagree	Benchmarks and historical data Disagree	Benchmarks and historical data Neutral	Benchmarks and historical data Agree	Benchmarks and historical data Strongly agree
Modern methods of construction	Modern methods of construction Strongly disagree	Modern methods of construction Disagree	Modern methods of construction Neutral	Modern methods of construction Agree	Modern methods of construction Strongly agree
Contingency, i.e., known unknowns/identified risks	Contingency, i.e., known unknowns/identified risks Strongly disagree	Contingency, i.e., known unknowns/identified risks Disagree	Contingency, i.e., known unknowns/identified risks Neutral	Contingency, i.e., known unknowns/identified risks Agree	Contingency, i.e., known unknowns/identified risks Strongly agree
Management reserve i.e., Unknown unknowns/unidentified risks	Management reserve i.e., Unknown unknowns/unidentified risks Strongly disagree	Management reserve i.e., Unknown unknowns/unidentified risks Disagree	Management reserve i.e., Unknown unknowns/unidentified risks Neutral	Management reserve i.e., Unknown unknowns/unidentified risks Agree	Management reserve i.e., Unknown unknowns/unidentified risks Strongly agree

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* 11. Rate the improvements that result from the consistent use of data and technology in your QS and CM practice.

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neutral	Agree	Strongly agree
Enhanced cost certainty	Enhanced cost certainty Strongly disagree	Enhanced cost certainty Disagree	Enhanced cost certainty Neutral	Enhanced cost certainty Agree	Enhanced cost certainty Strongly agree
Enhanced schedule certainty	Enhanced schedule certainty Strongly disagree	Enhanced schedule certainty Disagree	Enhanced schedule certainty Neutral	Enhanced schedule certainty Agree	Enhanced schedule certainty Strongly agree
Realistic and reliable cost targets	Realistic and reliable cost targets Strongly disagree	Realistic and reliable cost targets Disagree	Realistic and reliable cost targets Neutral	Realistic and reliable cost targets Agree	Realistic and reliable cost targets Strongly agree
Realistic and reliable time targets	Realistic and reliable time targets Strongly disagree	Realistic and reliable time targets Disagree	Realistic and reliable time targets Neutral	Realistic and reliable time targets Agree	Realistic and reliable time targets Strongly agree
Improved collaboration between project team members	Improved collaboration between project team members Strongly disagree	Improved collaboration between project team members Disagree	Improved collaboration between project team members Neutral	Improved collaboration between project team members Agree	Improved collaboration between project team members Strongly agree
Enhanced progress monitoring and control	Enhanced progress monitoring and control Strongly disagree	Enhanced progress monitoring and control Disagree	Enhanced progress monitoring and control Neutral	Enhanced progress monitoring and control Agree	Enhanced progress monitoring and control Strongly agree
Effective risk management	Effective risk management Strongly disagree	Effective risk management Disagree	Effective risk management Neutral	Effective risk management Agree	Effective risk management Strongly agree
Reducing the total cost of ownership	Reducing the total cost of ownership Strongly disagree	Reducing the total cost of ownership Disagree	Reducing the total cost of ownership Neutral	Reducing the total cost of ownership Agree	Reducing the total cost of ownership Strongly agree
Improving sustainability	Improving sustainability Strongly disagree	Improving sustainability Disagree	Improving sustainability Neutral	Improving sustainability Agree	Improving sustainability Strongly agree
Avoiding disputes and claims	Avoiding disputes and claims Strongly disagree	Avoiding disputes and claims Disagree	Avoiding disputes and claims Neutral	Avoiding disputes and claims Agree	Avoiding disputes and claims Strongly agree

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* 12. Rank the importance of the following to the QS and CM practice:

	Very high	High	Medium	Low	Very low
Cost and carbon classification standards such as ICMS	Cost and carbon classification standards such as ICMS Very high	Cost and carbon classification standards such as ICMS High	Cost and carbon classification standards such as ICMS Medium	Cost and carbon classification standards such as ICMS Low	Cost and carbon classification standards such as ICMS Very low
Construction information classification standards such as Uniclass, UniFormat, SfB, and NRM	Construction information classification standards such as Uniclass, UniFormat, SfB, and NRM Very high	Construction information classification standards such as Uniclass, UniFormat, SfB, and NRM High	Construction information classification standards such as Uniclass, UniFormat, SfB, and NRM Medium	Construction information classification standards such as Uniclass, UniFormat, SfB, and NRM Low	Construction information classification standards such as Uniclass, UniFormat, SfB, and NRM Very low
International standards for BIM, such as the ISO 19650 series including national annex	International standards for BIM, such as the ISO 19650 series including national annex Very high	International standards for BIM, such as the ISO 19650 series including national annex High	International standards for BIM, such as the ISO 19650 series including national annex Medium	International standards for BIM, such as the ISO 19650 series including national annex Low	International standards for BIM, such as the ISO 19650 series including national annex Very low
Interoperability standards such as the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)	Interoperability standards such as the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) Very high	Interoperability standards such as the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) High	Interoperability standards such as the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) Medium	Interoperability standards such as the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) Low	Interoperability standards such as the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) Very low
Measurement rules for estimating, cost planning, procurement, and life cycle costing	Measurement rules for estimating, cost planning, procurement, and life cycle costing Very high	Measurement rules for estimating, cost planning, procurement, and life cycle costing High	Measurement rules for estimating, cost planning, procurement, and life cycle costing Medium	Measurement rules for estimating, cost planning, procurement, and life cycle costing Low	Measurement rules for estimating, cost planning, procurement, and life cycle costing Very low
Education, training, and chartered/professional qualification	Education, training, and chartered/professional qualification Very high	Education, training, and chartered/professional qualification High	Education, training, and chartered/professional qualification Medium	Education, training, and chartered/professional qualification Low	Education, training, and chartered/professional qualification Very low

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* 13. Rate the barrier that you think hinder the use of data and technology in QS and CM.

	Not a barrier	Minor barrier	Moderate barrier	Major barrier	No opinion
Cost and effort needed	Cost and effort needed Not a barrier	Cost and effort needed Minor barrier	Cost and effort needed Moderate barrier	Cost and effort needed Major barrier	Cost and effort needed No opinion
Resistance to change	Resistance to change Not a barrier	Resistance to change Minor barrier	Resistance to change Moderate barrier	Resistance to change Major barrier	Resistance to change No opinion
Low return on investment	Low return on investment Not a barrier	Low return on investment Minor barrier	Low return on investment Moderate barrier	Low return on investment Major barrier	Low return on investment No opinion
Lack of availability of data	Lack of availability of data Not a barrier	Lack of availability of data Minor barrier	Lack of availability of data Moderate barrier	Lack of availability of data Major barrier	Lack of availability of data No opinion
Lack of data standards	Lack of data standards Not a barrier	Lack of data standards Minor barrier	Lack of data standards Moderate barrier	Lack of data standards Major barrier	Lack of data standards No opinion
Improper use of construction information classification systems	Improper use of construction information classification systems Not a barrier	Improper use of construction information classification systems Minor barrier	Improper use of construction information classification systems Moderate barrier	Improper use of construction information classification systems Major barrier	Improper use of construction information classification systems No opinion
Disciplinary silos	Disciplinary silos Not a barrier	Disciplinary silos Minor barrier	Disciplinary silos Moderate barrier	Disciplinary silos Major barrier	Disciplinary silos No opinion
Shortage of skilled persons, including retention of trained staff	Shortage of skilled persons, including retention of trained staff Not a barrier	Shortage of skilled persons, including retention of trained staff Minor barrier	Shortage of skilled persons, including retention of trained staff Moderate barrier	Shortage of skilled persons, including retention of trained staff Major barrier	Shortage of skilled persons, including retention of trained staff No opinion
No demand or financial support from clients	No demand or financial support from clients Not a barrier	No demand or financial support from clients Minor barrier	No demand or financial support from clients Moderate barrier	No demand or financial support from clients Major barrier	No demand or financial support from clients No opinion
BIM and CDE only geared towards design	BIM and CDE only geared towards design Not a barrier	BIM and CDE only geared towards design Minor barrier	BIM and CDE only geared towards design Moderate barrier	BIM and CDE only geared towards design Major barrier	BIM and CDE only geared towards design No opinion

Data and Technology for Quantity Surveyors and Cost Managers

Question Title

* 1. Are you an RICS member (student member, candidate, AssocRICS, MRICS or FRICS)?

Question Title

* 2. How many full-time employees are in your organisation?

Question Title

* 3. Select your PRIMARY region of professional practice.

Question Title

* 4. What are your organisation's service areas (select all that apply)?

Question Title

* 5. Are you currently using estimating and quantification software in your QS and CM practice?

Question Title

* 6. What is your usage level of the following digital tools in your QS and CM practice?

Question Title

* 7. By using data and technology, QS and CM professionals can enhance their advisory role:

Question Title

* 8. What is the role of a QS and CM professional in carbon calculations (embodied and operational carbon over the life cycle) for projects and assets?

Question Title

* 9. Rank the following benefits of using data and technology in QS and CM workflows:

Question Title

* 10. Data and technology help my organisation give better consideration to the following inputs in my cost estimates:

Question Title

* 11. Rate the improvements that result from the consistent use of data and technology in your QS and CM practice.

Question Title

* 12. Rank the importance of the following to the QS and CM practice:

Question Title

* 13. Rate the barrier that you think hinder the use of data and technology in QS and CM.

Question Title

* 14. Did we miss something, or do you want to make a suggestion? Use the optional textbox to provide feedback.