AT THAT POINT - Key Persons

Larry Feinberg is set to end his decade-long term as Executive Director of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) in February 2022. Prior to leading the ASAQS, Feinberg served as Regional Manager for Africa at the Charted Institute of Building (CIOB). Under Feinberg's leadership the ASAQS implemented holistic governance processes, internal administrative policies, procedures and workflows based on recommended best practice. These changes were made to combine the rich 114-year history of the ASAQS with robust systems that are imperative to today's business environment. During his term as Executive Director, Feinberg was also instrumental in successfully facilitating the inclusion of South Africa as an Associate Member of the Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS), as well as the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Malaysia, and the Philippines. Other collaborative partnerships established during Feinberg's term include the Joint Building Contracts Committee (JBCC), Africa Association of Quantity Surveyors (AAQS), Construction Sector Charter Council (CSCC), and all Voluntary Associations and Statutory Councils within the built environment. Software has disrupted many industry sectors, from travel to insurance, and from retail to real estate. In each case, we were informed excitedly that the new technology would side-line humans. And yet estate agents, insurance brokers and even brick-and-mortar retail stores all still continue to grow. More accurately, those that have embraced the new technology have gone on to flourish. When it comes to quantity surveying we are seeing something like the same dynamic unfolding. An added element is that the profession is poorly understood by other players in the public and private sectors. Too often, quantity surveyors are seen simply as providers of Bills of Quantities and drafters of tender documents. In reality, a quantity surveyor has a much broader and more valuable role to play, especially in these days of mega-projects, strict regulation and, of course, unremitting cost pressure. It is true that intelligent software can help automate and improve some of the more routine elements of the quantity surveyor's job, such as measurement and the collation of documents. But to see the role of the software in this light only, or even to see it to some extent replacing a quantity surveyor, is to miss the point entirely. Rather, the software should be seen as providing quantity surveyors with the space to provide the services that have, over time, come to define their real contribution to any project. The construction industry has always been cyclic, enjoying a boom for several consecutive years only to face a slump afterwards. Eventually, things pick up again. South Africa's last upward cycle ended around 2010 in step with the global economic crisis. Since then, quantity surveyors have been feeling the pinch. Unfortunately, this trend looks set to continue into 2017. However, quantity surveyors have always been value enablers in the construction industry. In 2017 they should strive to promote the results they produce, not just their technical capabilities. In a down economy, investors hope to do more with less and the quantity surveyors are in a prime position to help them reach that goal. The price of their services are easily offset by the cost savings achieved from their advice on sensible construction choices, such as cost-effective substitutes or avenues for realising lower building life cycle costs. So quantity surveyors can thrive, but they will need to work harder to build awareness of the value they add. Another notable trend for 2017 is the Construction Sector Charter Council's revised construction sector codes. The new codes are designed to bring the industry in line with the black economic empowerment and transformation targets set by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). While the codes are still open for comment, quantity surveying firms should familiarise themselves to ensure they are prepared in the coming year. Technologies available to the quantity surveyor appear set to continue developing in line with other industries. Various software packages exist for quantity surveying and they should make the most of suitable technologies. Automation of repetitive tasks brings greater efficiency, resulting in faster service and higher profits. However, technology is only a tool and cannot replace sound business advice, solve problems or suggest alternatives.