Meaurement 4

Meaurement 4 (QSB 2125)

Measurement 4 is the core subject for a quantity surveyor, I'm taking this module in my 4th semester is because i have passed my Measurement module in my last semester, as this module is a prerequisite subject. For me, i think this module is the toughest one if compared to measurement 1 - 3. Sr. Chang Khong Thong is not only the lecturer for Professional Practice 1, but he is also the lecturer for this subject.  

Basically, Sr. Chang taught us how to measure sewerage system, brick manhole, brick sump, culvert, surface water drainage, drain work, water reticulation, alteration and demolition, bored piling, road work, and pavement. Besides that, every time before we start doing our measurement, Sr. Chang will advice us to do the taking off list first so that we will have clearer image on what we are measuring and do not miss out some elements easily. We also learnt how to produce bill of quantity for each of the element stated above.

Just like the other module, we are also having 2 group assignment for this module, which 1 of the assignment is to measure all the element of a double storey terrace house and produce a the tender document of it, while the 2nd is the Elemental Cost Analysis (ECA) workshop. For the 1st group assignment, we are required to form a group which consists of 6 members in a group in order to complete the tasks. For the measurement part, my task is to measure the doors and windows, internal ceiling finishes, refuse chamber and miscellaneous works.While for the preparation work for the tender document, my task is to prepare the preliminary. Sr. Chang was generous enough to have an interim evaluation for us so that he can check our progress of our measurement works and in the same time we can ask questions regarding our measurement and he was willing to help us out every time we consult him and sometime he even sacrificed his precious time just to solve our questions.

Me and my assignment group members.

Photo taken after our assignment 1 presentation.

  

Professional Practice 1

Professional Practice 1 (QSB2615)

This is a whole new module for me as this is not a prerequisite module, and the lecturer for this module also is somebody that i'm not familiar with, who is Sr. Chang Khong Thong. Mr. Chang  has explained to us the overview of professional and contractual responsibilities of a quantity surveyor in the consultant group from the design stage to the final account stage. He also focus on the importance of a clear understanding of the organization and administration of quantity surveyor practices and the legal and contractual procedures in relation to building procurement wtih us.

For his lecture, he has taught us about the tender document, role of quantity surveyor, procurement, selection of contract form, tendering method and procedure, contract document, variation order and prime cost and provisional sum, delays and extension of time, damages, interim valuation and claims. Upon successful completion of the module, now i'm able to describe the duties and define the qualifications (academic and professional) required of a Quantity Surveyor, its professional Institution and Board. Besides that, i'm able to identify the roles of various parties involved in the building team and their construction contracts and contractual obligations. Not only that, i'm also able to evaluate the array of construction contracts between the client and the main contractor.

Unlike other modules, this module does not have the group assignment but we have an individual assignment to do. For this individual assignment, we are acted as a consultants quantity surveyor and we are invited to submit a proposal on the best procurement, tendering and contract arrangement to meet our developer friend's requirements as our developer friend is unfamiliar with the construction industry. (For further information of the assignment please click --> Assignment brief ). Because of this individual assignment, i am able to learn even more and deeper about the procurement method, tendering and contract arrangement, which make me have a better understanding of the role of a quantity surveyor.

Construction Technology 3

Construction Technology 3 (QSB2514)

As this is a prerequisite module, I have passed the Construction Technology 2 last semester, so I am having this module in my 4th semester . We are seeing Mr. Chiew Seng Khoon  again in this semester not because we failed CT2 last semester, it is because he is still our lecturer for this subject. He is an dedicated lecturer who is willing to help us out all the time, we gained a lot of extra knowledge during his lecture. 

The topics that Mr. Chiew has covered are Industrialized Building System (IBS), tunnel form work syetem, aluminium form work system, precast installation, retaining walls, gabion retaining walls, dewatering, curtain walls, prestressing, green bulding and space frame roof. Upon successful completion of this module, I am able to illustrate  most aspects of elementary construction with an insight into the techniques applied in large- scale development using standard steel sections and reinforced concrete. Besides that, I am able to apply industrial methods which are mainly composed of factory produced components to a module or standard increment.

Just like Construction Technology 2, we are assigned to produce an individual assignment and a group assignment. For the individual assignment, we are required to sketch/draw 20 pieces of drawings that are related to our module. While for the group assignment, we are asked to form a group of 4-5 members in a group to write a report on any one topic related to the module syllabus. We have chosen "IBS System" as our topic for our group assignment. We have done our group assignment by doing some research and finding information that are related to it as much as we can. From this assignment, we've learnt how to cooperate with each other and learnt the importance of team work, we can't complete our assignment if we do not work with each other.

One of the drawing that we need to sketch in our individual assignment.

One of the drawing that we need to sketch in our individual assignment.

One of the drawing that we need to sketch in our individual assignment.

Estimating

Estimating (QSB2314)

Puan Azrina Md Yaakob is the lecturer for this module and this is the 2nd time she is being our lecturer it is because she was our lecturer for Management Science subject in our last semester. In this module, we've learnt about the principle of estimating, project cost estimating, components of build-up rates, various method of estimating, and the works of sub-contracting. Not only that, we've learnt hoe to calculate the excavation work, concrete work, brickwork, roof construction and finishes, glazing, plastering and tiling, carpentry and joinery, painting works, and plumbing works. Now, i am able to identify, explain and distinguish the various terminology related to estimating, measurement and unit rates including the objectives and various components of estimating, measurement and unit rates at different stages of construction procurement. I am also able to estimate the unit rates by considering and evaluating other factors influencing the cost of the construction components and elements.

There are also 2 assignment for this module which both of the are group assignment. For the 1st group assignment, there are 2 task that's need to be done by us which the first task is that we are assigned to form a group of 4 to 5 students in a group to do a seminar of  certain question, as my group is the 4th group, so we are doing seminar for the question no. 4 as shown below:

For the second task, we are to estimate the total cost and the unit rate of certain element of a building and tutor our friends during our tutorial class. The question for our group is: roofing tutorial
For the 2nd group assignment, we are required to form a group of 9-10 person in a group to obtain the tender documents as per the tender invitation. We acted as a contractor and we even have our own company name, our company name is "The RING SDN BHD" (THE RING) and we need to prepare a set of tender document and submit to our lecturer as she is our client to see whether which group win the tender. Our group won the tender because our tender is the 2nd lowest compare to the other group.  (Click this link for furthur information of the assignment -->Assignment 2)

Me and my group members (The RING SDN BHD).

Software Application for Quantity Surveyor

Software Application for Quantity Surveyor (QSB2813)

For this module, we are to learn two software which are Buildsoft and CostX. So there are two lecturer teaching this module, which 1 of them is Sr. Habizah Sheikh ilmi and the other one is Sr. Soon Lam Tatt . We were separated into 2 groups so that each lecturer is in charge of each group until a certain period then only the lecturers switch their place taking charge of the other group of student. Basically this subject provides us students the basic knowledge on preparation of quantities taking off, preparation of rate build up and preparation of bill of quantities by using software stated above. Upon successful completion of this module, I am able to distinguish the different types of software programs available in the market and their limitations in usage. Not only that, I also can implement cost control procedures to consider alternatives and make well-reasoned recommendations promptly. 

For this module, there are 2 assignments, which 1 of it is a group assignment and the 2nd assignment is an individual assignment. For the group assignment, we need to compare the functions and limitation of BIM QS computer software in the market and recommend the best BIM QS software with supporting reasons and data. After that, we need to compare benefits and constraints of Building Information Modelling (BIM), CAD Measurement and Manual Measurement in preparation/ briefing stage; design stage; pre-construction Stage; and construction Stage. For the individual assignment, it is integrated with the Measurement 4 assignment, as we already done our BQ using the software during our Measurement 4 assignment, so for this individual assignment, we need to do a price build-up and necessary material, labour and machinery rates for the element we've done in our BQ, for me i am doing the price build-up for door elements.

I'm glad that i can learn these software before i go to my internship practice, it is because the company i will enter might be using these software and i can show them i already learnt the basic of the software therefore I can cooperate with them very well.