module specification

Competence in measurement is integral to the role of Quantity Surveyors and Commercial Managers. You will study the relevance of measurement and how it is required to quantify construction works, and to then calculate costs at all stages of a project, from feasibility to project completion and final account. 
You will start off examining the traditional measurement techniques and conventions, using standard procedures, and apply these to different stages of a project, from the position of the client’s Quantity Surveyor and the contractor’s Quantity Surveyor. You will learn about cost planning and the iterative process through each stage of the project. 
Thereafter, you will use industry standard software, developing competence and employability skills, together with the ability to critically appraise the benefits of such software.

By the end of the module students should be able to undertake the following:
• Apply traditional measurement techniques to various situations.
• Interpret drawings, specifications, and other construction information in order to provide measurement data for costing purposes.
• Know where to find relevant cost data for cost planning purposes.
• Use measured data to estimate early costs of a project.
• Use measured data to work up cost plans and bills of quantities.
• Demonstrate competence in software used for measurement.
 

Introduction to Measurement and Estimating
• Purpose and role of measurement in cost management (LO1)
• Relationship between measurement, estimating, and design development (LO1)
Standards and Conventions
• International Cost Management Standard (ICMS) (LO2)
• NRM1, NRM2, NRM3: structure, use, and relationship to RIBA Plan of Work (LO2)
• Measurement terminology, units, and classification systems (LO1,2)
Interpreting Design Information
• Drawings, specifications, and schedules (LO2)
• Taking off quantities and forming descriptions (LO2)
Cost Data and Sources
• Cost indices, benchmarking, databases, published cost guides (LO3)
• Adjusting cost data for location, inflation, and market conditions (LO3)
Estimating and Cost Planning
• Order of cost estimating methods (LO4)
• Elemental and detailed cost plans (LO4)
• Measurement for cost planning at different design stages (LO4)
Bills of Quantities and Documentation
• Purpose and benefits of BQs (LO4)
• Types and preparation of BQs (LO4)
Digital Tools in Measurement and Estimating
• Use of QS software (e.g. CostX, or similar) (LO5)

A blended/ technology enhanced learning approach will be employed in the delivery of this module. Formal lectures will introduce and develop themes that relate to the core subject. The delivery of the module will be broken down into key elements that have discrete tasks. Where appropriate, activities will be captured and made available to allow asynchronous access.

Workshops and seminars will be held in which students will engage in practical measurement activities making use of the New Rules of Measurement. Students will be given the opportunity to engage in seminar activities in which the use of case studies from around the world stimulates discussion and helps them to develop a deep understanding of measurement and cost planning in context and undertake authentic formative activities to gain an appreciation of the processes in industry by which costs are planned, reported, and controlled, including the use of industry relevant software to gather and process data.

Problem-based learning will be used to encourage independent learning through proposing a problem that is complex and with more than one right answer, challenging the students to work individually and in small groups to develop solutions, thereby developing their problem-solving abilities. Staff will act as facilitators throughout the activities.

Tasks will be performed through group and independent study, to develop critical thinking skills of analysis, evaluation, and synthesis.
Throughout the module student outputs will be reviewed, and formative feedback will be given to ensure clarity and comprehension.
The learning and teaching in classes will be supported by the University’s VLE and a blended learning approach, sharing class materials, recommended reading, and case studies.
Group tutorials will also be offered to support students in the preparation of their assessments, with opportunities for students to receive forward feedback.

On completion of the module, the learner, operating independently and applying their knowledge and skills, should be able to:

1. Explain the principles, conventions, and purposes of measurement and estimating within the Quantity Surveying profession.
2. Interpret drawings, specifications, and design information to apply standard measurement rules accurately for different project stages.
3. Identify and use appropriate sources of cost data to prepare reliable estimates and cost plans.
4. Apply standard methods of measurement (e.g. ICMS, NRM1–3) to prepare order of cost estimates, cost plans, and bills of quantities.
5. Demonstrate competence in the use of digital measurement and estimating software, critically evaluating its advantages and limitations.

There is no single text currently in publication that provides a comprehensive coverage of all aspects of this module. There are several books which cover various parts of the module in some detail, and these are listed in the core text list.

There is excellent coverage of the subject available via the Construction Information Service (CIS). CIS is accessed via Construction Information Service and provides a huge range of information relevant to this module.
Useful books and articles for this course are listed below:

Link to library reading list
Core:
RICS New Rules of Measurement
Cartlidge, D. (2022) Quantity Surveyor's Pocket Book. 4th edn. Abingdon: Routledge.
Lee, S. (2020) Willis's Elements of Quantity Surveying.13th edn. London: Wiley Blackwell.
International Cost Management Standard (ICMS)

Additional Reading:
RICS Black Book
Construction Management Magazine
CIOB Global Construction Review
Association for Project Management news
RICS news and insight
United Nations Climate Action