Strategic Management

Strategic Management is one of the elective we have to take. There were many choices but this subject is the most interesting. This module is about the strategic approach to a business or a project. We learn different  methods and their benefits to it. Also we were taught on their barriers to that approach. For this module, we have two assignments that needs to be done, which is an individual assignment and a group assignment.

Development Economics

Just like building economics we learn last semester, development economics is a bit similar. Development economics is related to the development of a land, from what are the procedures, required such as information stage to other stages.

We have an assignment for this subject. It is a group assignment, where we have to draw up a financial appraisal of a project consists of the residue method of valuation. Working as a team is crucial as each task is related to the previous task. Furthermore, we need to present as a team on the financial appraisal done by our group.

Project Management

Being a project manager can be one of the career path of a QS student. By studying this subject, one can diversify his/her career path. Project management is taught by Mr Leong who is an expert in this field. In this module, it teaches us the scope of a project manager, the method to prepare a working schedule and many other project management related task.

There are two assignment for this subject, an individual and a group assignment. As for the individual assignment, a project brief was given to us and we have to plan out the schedule for the task. A specific software is needed to be used in this assignment, which is the Microsoft Project. This software can help us tabulate the ending date, starting date, critical path and many more of a project.

The group assignment is to come up with a project that helps our client generate profit but at the same time brings benefit to the university nearby. This is because the land is under the university. We have to justify the choice of our project with supporting document.

Cost Value Engineering

Cost value engineering is another subject that is new to us. It teaches us maximize the value of a product without changing the quality of it. There is an organisation that governs the people that have involvement in VM is IVMM. The organisation consist of different consultant with different roles. For example, the QS will handle costing and budgeting related task.

For this subject, we have an assignment which involves us to work in a group. We have to conduct a VM study on the chosen project. Each group has a different project. We have chosen a project of an examination hall and conduct the VM study from scratch. We have to discuss as a team to decide which VM tool to use for this project. By using the case study, it has helped us to make the final decision on which VM tool to be used.

Dissertation

         Dissertation is the continuous of Research Methodology. In this module, we have to continue where we left of, which is chapter 3, 4 and 5. For chapter 3, 4 and 5, we cover the topic research methodology, data analysis and conclusion of the study. During this semester, I have conducted 5 interviews with 5 different Architects from different firms. The data analysis of the interview is conducted when the interview is done. The process is very difficult as I need to arrange appointment with the architect. Finally, we will conclude this Thesis by submitting it to our respective supervisor.

Cinstruction Law

           Construction Law and Professional Practice 1 and 2 have close relation. Our lecturer, Mr Wong shared with us many real life cases based on his past experiences. He provided us with insights of the professional field. In this subject, we were taught many topics related to contractual claims, remedies breach of contract, tort and formation of contract. There are 2 new topics that we have learn in this semester which is FIDIC and CIPPA.

            As for the assignment, we are assigned in two groups with Semester 5 students. This assignment is held in a 2 days workshop conducted by Ms Eugenie, whom is a contractual expert based in Singapore. The task given to us is to relate the given real life event with PAM Contract and FIDIC contract. My group members and I, discussed and work together to get our answer. We even made a short film related to the topics. On the second day of the workshop, each group has to do a presentation on the topic. The speaker, lecturer and guest lecturer were there to be the judging panel.

Research Methodology

Research Methodology is one of our biggest subject. This is our final year project, which is our thesis. We have to write a thesis on the topic we had chosen. This semester only covers two chapters of the whole thesis, which is proposal and literature review. We are assigned in groups with specific lecturer to guide us. We will then meet our lecturer weekly to see if our thesis is on the right track. A lot of reading on the topic related is needed for this subject.  We need to extract information from journals, books, thesis and so on.

Financial Management

Financial Management is a totally new subject to us. It is related to the field of finance. We need to know the basics of finance and accounting. We learn this subject because managing a company's finance is very important. It determines a company's activities.

Assignment 1
We were formed in to groups of 5 to 6 students and were given a company. We then have to do a financial analysis on the company and do a presentation. We have to look for the company's detail through their financial report of the past years.

Building Economics

This subject is to teach us on the construction cost and the whole life costing of the building. This subject is very difficult but it is very useful in the future. We need to understand the previous topic in order to understand the current topic. They are all related.

Assignment 1
This is by far one of the most difficult assignment to do. Mrs Diane had organize a two days workshop for us. This workshop was lead by Mr Eugene from Langdon and Seah. He will teach us and guide us throughout the workshop. We were given details of a project three days before our workshop. These details are what the client expect to have for an upcoming project but the catch here is there was no drawing given. Just the plan of the site. And with this we are to estimate and present the cost of the whole project to a panel of judges. It was very stressful as we only have a day to come out with a figure and to face a panel of judges with vast knowledge of the construction industry was frightening. But after all the hard work put into this assignment, it pays off well. We learn that we do not need drawings to estimate cost of the project and we, quantity surveyors can lead a project.

Measurement 5

Measurement 5 is very different compare to the previous four measurements in terms of teaching. This time we have 2 lecturers teaching us, Mr. Simon and Mr. Ramar. Both teach us different topics. Mr. Ramar is in charge of building works while Mr. Simon taught us civil engineering works. Both have different sets of standard method of measurement too. Building work uses SMM. On the other hand, civil engineering work uses MYCESMM.

Assignment 1
As for the assignment this semester, Mr Ramar is in charge of it. We are assigned in groups of 5 students. Then we are given a plan for a house. It as a cold water and plumbing plan.

Mid-Term
Since Mr Ramar gave us the assignment, Mr Simon set our mid term paper. The question was very tricky. It is very easy to overlook minor details of the drawing.

Professional Practice 2

A continuous of Professional Practice 1, we learn more about the PAM Contract, which includes disputes in claims, insurance, partial possession, determination by employer and contractor and so on. Similarly to the Professional Practice 1, cases and issues risen in the industry can be solved b using the PAM Contract 2006.

Assignment 1
We were assigned in groups of 4 to 5 students by our lecturer. We are given one week to prepare our presentation on the chapter we learn. This is a good method to help us recall what he learn during the previous week.

Assignment 2

As for assignment 2, we were assigned in groups of 6 students. We were given a questions related to final accounts and variation orders. Some of us had difficulty doing this as some of us didn't get to do final account during our internship. Overall it was a good learning experience.