RICS - Quantity Surveying Competencies
Upon careful consideration of my current ability, I was able to apply a percentage based scoring process to each RICS competency. Below is a critique of the matrix results and a review of my strengths and weaknesses.
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The spreadsheet attachment "rics_matrix.xlsx" is the background to my RICS competency ability to date. Please open and review the spreadsheet prior to reading the below to fully understand the critique summary below.
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My Strengths
Strengths: M001 – Accounting Principles and Procedures (AP&P)
M010 – Team working
M007 – Data Management
T062 – Procurement and Tendering
The competencies which scored the highest confidence percentages are elements that relate the most closely to both my past and present experiences. As my employment history to date informed, a fair proportion of my initial experience was based around procurement.
This has been reflective in my confidence score to Competency T062. The evidences on which support my high scoring are examples of Subcontract Agreements, and Record of Agreed Maters that I have produced. These elements illustrate the high level of responsibility I have been given to procure subcontractors on projects.
Other strength areas include AP&P (M001) and Team working (M010). Within the construction team, co-operation is essential. Evidences of Team Work are documented in Production Meeting minutes; my role is to input the commercial aspects for the benefit of the wider team. I feel that my contribution to the team has helped push the project forward.
Evidence for AP&P is illustrated by the provided examples of my payment notices, and also a limited view of the VCR summary page. My current ability is strong in this area due to the nature of my role. I have to ensure that the commercial matters of the project are correctly managed.
My role as project QS has enabled me to get ‘hands on’ with the fast paced commercial management of a project. The importance of Data Management (M007) has assisted my ability to quickly understand my role. A clear and concise record of both subcontractors and preliminary costs has been excellent tools for monthly reports. Evidence for data management is a pdf examples of my own spreadsheets that I use such as the Phase Handover Tracker document. My line manager has since requested I role out the document to other projects due to the success it has in capturing requirements for handover. Other examples of my role with data management is my status as a 4 Projects 'Super User' . 4 Projects is a web based portal for the construction team upload drawings, schedules and other important documents relating to the project. As 'Super User' I ensure that the correct references are being adopted by the Architects, and also have the ability to grant access to other users, such as subcontractors and the client team.
A bar chart to show the percentage of confidence in each of the RICS competencies.
My Weaknesses
Weaknesses - T017 Contract practice
-T013 Construction technology and environmental services
-M006 Conflict avoidance, management and dispute resolution procedures
The competencies which were scored the lowest within the matrix are areas where my experience has been limited. The competency T017 scores the lowest within the matrix due to the limited practical experience with construction contracts. Presently, the only form of contract I have used is a bespoke Development Agreement. Although this has been a good introduction to contract administration, I still haven’t been involved with the more common forms such as JCT or NEC.
This lack of contract knowledge interconnects with the M006 competency. As the conflict avoidance experience I have is limited to a subcontract level, in agreeing subcontractor interim payments.
The RICS Technical competency T013 was also scored low. This is also due to the limited knowledge of construction processes. At present my main experience has been based upon social housing. Other areas such as schools and healthcare projects my knowledge is insufficient. I have not incorporated my initial experience at HMP Moorland within the score due to the small role I had at that point.
Summary of my current ability in relation to RICS competencies
Conclusion
The review of the RICS matrix has shown me areas where I am performing well, and also areas required for improvement. The reasoning behind the technical competency overall percentage (63%) being lower than the mandatory elements (74%) is due to my relative inexperience with contract administration and higher level commercial disputes. Overall I am reasonably satisfied with the progress I am making, but I am ready to progress on to a construction project once South Killingholme is complete.
The review of the RICS matrix has shown me areas where I am performing well, and also areas required for improvement. The reasoning behind the technical competency overall percentage (63%) being lower than the mandatory elements (74%) is due to my relative inexperience with contract administration and higher level commercial disputes. Overall I am reasonably satisfied with the progress I am making, but I am ready to progress on to a construction project once South Killingholme is complete.