Quantity Surveying Profession The origins of quantity surveyors can be traced back to the ancient Egyptian civilization that used dedicated personnel to carry out estimates and costing for their magnificent structures and buildings. It developed into an occupation during the 17th century restoration of London after the Great Fire. In 1836, the profession entered its new age when the new Houses of Parliament of Great Britain, designed by Sir Charles Barry, became the first major public contract to be fully measured and tendered using detailed bills of quantities for financial accountability. There are several options in the quantity surveying field. A qualified member of IIQS can usually gain employment in quantity surveying firms, construction companies, or property developers. Some large public or private organizations that deal with a significant amount of building or construction procurement as part of their activities normally employ quantity surveyors among other construction professionals to become their project managers. This profession offers great career opportunity. The Indian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (IIQS) The Indian Institute of Quantity surveyors, previously known as IQSA, from its inception has been encouraging its members to achieve an optimum level of professional competency in the field of Quantity Surveying. IIQS through its unprecedented objectives has assisted many of its aspiring members to endeavor; To achieve highest level of professional competencies To adopt best practices and ethics For positive attitude towards change For Openness, Trust and Reliability To implement organizational training programme To share knowledge For the continuous professional development To adopt flexibility, innovation and motivation To maintain Honesty and Integrity For a sustainable career progression Why to be part of IIQS family In several countries including India, quantity surveying profession mostly is limited to basic quantity surveying functions such as quantity take-off and billing. Since Quantity Surveying education programs are not commonly available in respective countries, such Quantity Surveying function is being performed mainly by the Engineers. Dec 2015 Revision.2 Page 1 of 7
Further, the individuals with Quantity surveying educational background require a proper professional guidance and career mentoring. IIQS, for these disciplines, through its various programs and professional assistance, is striving to promote proper awareness, understanding, enhanced knowledge and career guidance in the field of Quantity surveying in a broad spectrum, such as; Estimation and pricing Preparation of budgets Working knowledge on standard method of measurements Administration of valuations, certifications and variations Preparing tender documents including tender negotiations Procurement of goods and contracts Administration of guarantees, insurances and warranties Cost and value reconciliation Knowledge on various forms of the contract conditions Time and cost management including mitigation reviews Preparing/defending against construction contract claims Risk management Indemnities and liabilities Delay analysis Forecasts and feasibility studies Knowledge of construction and contract law Dispute resolution Interpersonal skills What Benefits it would offer IIQS has assisted many of its members pursuing Quantity surveying profession to achieve the required key competencies and career progression through the below listed programmes and means; Access to regional programme of CPD events and meetings Career and Educational Mentoring and Guidance Participation on subjects of common interest through open debates Online access to CPD Handouts issued in the past Online access to videos of the CPD s held in other regions Regular News Letter Advice on technical and contractual queries Network to communicate with top quality professionals Certification process Awards for personal excellence It also provides a perfect platform to attain enhanced knowledge and awareness in the field of Quantity surveying, so as to reach key positions within the respective organization. Disclaimer The programmes as listed above are being held currently in few regions of Member Councils. The support for the members residing outside such Member Councils shall be limited to the information available in the website. IIQS reserves the right to cancel or modify any of the above listed programmes or add any new programmes without any prior notification to the Members. Further, IIQS shall not in any way be committed to perform any of its programmes at any specific intervals. Dec 2015 Revision.2 Page 2 of 7
Membership advantage and eligibility criteria IIQS membership provides competitive advantages to individuals working in the field of Quantity Surveying. It assists in improving the professional expertise and core competencies. For membership application and acceptance, the Institute relies on the; Self-declaration Assessment and recommendation from the Assessor of the applicant and Other requirements as per the criteria subsequently outlined here. What is a Competency Competency is the ability of an individual to perform a task. A competency is a set of defined behaviors that provide a structured guide enabling the identification, evaluation and development of the behaviors in individual professionals. IIQS believes that the knowledge acquired through academic qualification may not be sufficient for the professional career progression. A professional is required enhance his knowledge to put in practical perspective. Competency Assessment IIQS adopts a competency based assessment for enrollment to the membership which is a guide to determine the applicant s knowledge, application and proficiency in key areas of the quantity surveying and to set targets for knowledge enhancement. IIQS has set out various competencies, in the order of priority, to ensure proper career and professional progression. Each of the competencies shall be assessed on the following basis A (Proficient) - Can perform a competency independently B (Application) - Can perform a competency under a reasonable supervision C (Knowledge) - Understands the functions Each applicant is required to maintain a personal career portfolio based on a specimen as prescribed as a continuous tool for assessment until the required optimum standard of the competency is achieved. Dec 2015 Revision.2 Page 3 of 7
The Assessor shall mark and signoff, as a proof of confirmation, that the applicant has achieved the required level of the competency. Assessor shall be the direct line manager of the applicant or senior member of the Institute with MIIQS/FIIQS membership. Membership Grades and Criteria Following are the membership grades. Eligibility criteria and requirements for each of the membership grade has been set out here below and in other relevant sections. Membership Grades: Grade Student Associate Member (AIIQS) Member (MIIQS) Fellow (FIIQS) Honorary Fellow (HON FIIQS) Brief Notes on Criteria Student Membership will be awarded to the students of any engineering or quantity surveying disciplines from any recognized universities /institutions in India. Associated Membership will be awarded to any individuals who are associated with the Construction Industry. Membership will be awarded to Professionals with Degree in any Engineering/QS + 5 years of work experience or Diploma + 10 years of work experience and holding AIIQS membership for a minimum period of 1 year + a formal interview or Members who hold Chartered Membership from RICS/AIQS/ ICES/CIArb/CIOB etc. may apply for direct entry. Fellowship will be awarded to eligible professionals who are continuously holding a Membership (MIIQS) for the minimum period of 5 years and able to demonstrate his/her enhanced professional competency through documentary evidence as detailed in the relevant section and a formal interview or Members who hold Fellowship from RICS/AIQS/ ICES/CIArb/CIOB etc. may apply for direct entry. Honorary Fellowship will be awarded to industry leaders, who made significant contribution to industry / society subject to the approval of the Board of the IIQS. Dec 2015 Revision.2 Page 4 of 7
Membership Criteria Student: Student Membership will be awarded to the students of any engineering or quantity surveying disciplines from any of recognized universities /institutions in India. Curriculum Vitae Self-attested copies of qualifications (if applicable) Self-attested copies of experience certificates (if applicable) Authorization letter from the Educational Institute Associate Member (AIIQS): Associated Membership will be awarded to any individuals who are associated with the Construction Industry. Curriculum Vitae Self-attested copies of qualifications (if applicable) Self-attested copies of experience certificates (if applicable) Dec 2015 Revision.2 Page 5 of 7
Member (MIIQS): Membership will be awarded to Professionals with minimum 5 years of work experience and holding AIIQS membership for a minimum period of 1 year + a formal interview. Applicants, holding membership from any other professional institutes such as Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS), Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES), Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), Chartered Institute of Buildings (CIOB), may apply directly for the membership of IIQS notwithstanding above criterion. Curriculum Vitae with a brief report on attained level of competencies Competency form duly assessed by the Assessor and self-attested by the Applicant Dec 2015 Revision.2 Page 6 of 7
Fellowship (FIIQS): Fellowship will be awarded to eligible professionals who are continuously holding a Membership (MIIQS) for the minimum period of 5 years and able to demonstrate his/her enhanced professional competency through documentary evidence as detailed in the relevant section and a formal interview. Applicants, holding Fellowship from any other professional institutes such as Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS), Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES), Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), Chartered Institute of Buildings (CIOB), may apply directly for the Fellowship of IIQS notwithstanding above criterion. Award Fellowship under this criterion is subject to approval of the Board of the IIQS. Detailed profile (in not more than 2000 words) demonstrating the professional and leadership skills required for an industry expert Honorary Fellow (Hon FIIQS): Honorary Fellowship will be awarded to Industry leaders, who made significant contribution to the Industry/Society, at the discretion of the Board of the IIQS. Curriculum Vitae Dec 2015 Revision.2 Page 7 of 7