Dissertation QSB 4924

This subject introduce me the academic research and provide some in-depth understanding of the research methodology. I am required to undertake and submit a substantial piece of independent research work which consists of both recording and analysing of data or the summary of published material on the topic supplemented by opinion gathered through interviews or questionnaires. The dissertation should be demonstrate an effective research combined with clear and concise presentation between 10,000 to 12,000 words. Upon the completion of the subject, I have develop awareness of the current local and global issues in the construction industry, explore the approaches to research as well as to demonstrate a systematic and orderly mind to produce a viable academic research. 

YAY!!!! Completion of my dissertation. 

Talks that I've attend during the Semester 6

Mr Leong arranged this talk "Innovative Building Solution: The Project Management Perspective" for us to have a better understand on the role of a project manager and how to improve project management through innovative building solution. The speaker invited from Lafarge Company, one of the well-know firm throughout the globe. Other than that, my dissertation supervisor has suggested me to participate in the VIVA Presentation in front of lecturers and others coruscates and juniors.

Start of LAFARGE's project management talk

Completed VIVA Presentation in front of more than 50 people in a lecturer hall

  

Cost Value Engineering QSB 4215

This subject provides the history, background, theories, concepts and principles of value engineering or value management in decision making process. This subject also introduce the idea of unnecessary cost and cost cutting exercise in the cost planning and control stage. It is then generally covers area of implementation of value engineering and the key person involved who is the facilitator. This subject concludes with a series of discussion on the problem and constraint in the implementation stage based on some significant case studies.

I am now able to identify the appropriate time to carry out Value Engineering throughout different construction phases, recognise and recall the contribution of the value engineering or value management in the development process. Other than that, I am now also able to apply the value management to a value outcome in the decision making process and to analyse the cost and value implications of project scope and to generate a Job Plan for the implementation of Value Management Workshop.

Development Economics QSB 4224

This module introduce me to the development, roles and contribution of construction industry to the national economy. It is initiated with the introduction of the process in a property development and factors that influence the development process. This subject also cover a various techniques of development appraisal and source of finance available. This subject is then concluded with the important of marker research to the overall development process and its impact of research to the development.

This subject allow me to have better understanding on the basic principles of economics and its link to the real world of construction and to develop an understanding of the whole process of property development, and able to enhance the understanding of the contribution of feasibility study in property development and understand the overall mechanism of the finance system in the construction industry.

Other than that, I am now able to calculate the developers budget during the initial development process for example, GDV and GDC. Other than that, also able to execute the cost-benefit analysis in the early stage of investment proposal and valuation system to help on decision making during the feasibility stage and classify various source of finance available in the construction industry and to outline the requirement in a quality marker research.

Construction Law (LAW 63804)

This subject provides me an understanding of the principles of the construction law and it’s application to different situations. This subject allows me to have more understanding on the general principles on the formation of a contract and remedies in the event of breach. Besides, studying this subject able me to have more understanding on the roles and liabilities of the architects, quantity surveyors as well as other professionals in relation to the professional negligence and the use of collateral contract. I find that the most important learning and I’ve receive by studying this subject, is the appreciation of laws relating to payments, contractual claims and the interpretation of rules of ambiguity found in the documents. I think this is important because it’s the root of maintain the process of a construction projects. Other than that, I’ve also learner to appreciate the principles and the procedures of litigation, arbitration, adjudication as well as alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as stated by the Malaysian Government and Standard Form of Contract.

Assignment designed of for this module is relating to FIDIC. I think this is very interesting as it will help my career if I want to start my career oversea. The assignment is derived from a 2 days FIDIC workshop which is hosted by Eugenie Lip, director of Davis Langdon KPK in Singapore. Other than that, Mr Wong also designed this module with another one assignment while based on the chapters that he taught in class. 

During FIDIC Workshop

The End of FIDIC Workshop

With Eugenie, Mr Wong as well as Ms Dianne 

End of my group's presentation 

End of class before the start of semester break

Project Management QSB4424

This subject has taught us on the process of project management in construction industry. We learned about the principle, techniques and managerial issues of the process management. This module is very handy to us on how we can advise the client for the cost control during construction.

Mr Leong design this module by providing us 2 assignments, one is individual assignment while the other is group assignment. For group assignment, Mr Leong provide us 2 assignment briefs and all group are free to choose either one of the assignment,  one is of proposed a development of an inhabitant island which located at Pulau Sembilan, which the other one is of proposed a development of a piece of land adjacent to Taylor's University Campus area. My group mates choose the development of a piece of land adjacent to Taylor's University and all of us also went to the Pulau Sembilan together with Mr Leong accompanied by Mr Kam.

Mr Leong and I

Mr Kam and I and YY

Individual assignment is derived from one of the lecturer that Mr Leong taught us during lecturer class. It is based on the concept of critical path method in Chapter 5. The project that we did for the individual assignment is water pump station. The purpose of this assignment is to test our ability to fully utilize Microsoft Project.

Tabulated Work Flow 

Gantt Chart

Network Diagram 

QSB3115 Measurement 5

This subject introduce us of the measurement for cold water installation, electrical installation, sanitary installation, fire protection, air-cond installation, earthworks measurement, RE wall installation, rail track measurement and prestress measurement. Other than measurements, this subject also introduce us MYCESSM book, this book allow us the students understand how does engineering works is carry out and how they prepare for tender document.

By doing this subject, I am now able to measure for the all of the elements stated above and understand how the system runs in a building and on the road.

Other Events

Other that studying and studying and repeatedly doing it every week, the lecturer also planned a few talks for student to attend. Such as GST and FIDIC talks both conducted by Eugenie Lip from KPK Davis Langdon. I can both of the talks is very useful for me in future. Besides, RICS also organised a talk regarding CIPAA in Taylor's Lakeside and is open to the QS final student. and I'm able to tag along to attend to this talk.

I'm working as a President for Taylor's QS Society since March'15. I find it very challenging as I am the only lady in the committee and I find it a bit difficult for me to work with men. As difference gender have different personality. But worry not, I still able to cope with it and work with them. This is the first event of the year, QS 2nd Sports day. 

Here's me with the overall Champion participants, Semester 5. 

Part of the committee. 

Later we have this Society Logo competition, and the guy on your left is the winner, Julius Khor from Semester 5. 

Miss Ang, the Programme Director also give me the opportunity to attend the 54th RISM Annual Dinner 2015 in One World Hotel. It's a golden opportunities. There are around 12 students from Taylor's cat walking during the dinner as well. 

This is the QS representative for cat walking. 

 

QSB 3933 Research Methodology

This subject introduce us the student of the academic research and provide some in-depth understanding of the research methodology. This module covers the process and techniques of research, research design, identification of research areas and the preparation of research proposal.

By doing this subject, I am now able to identify the issues and problems leading to the development of the subject area and objectives of research, and I am now able to review literatures and is now able to prepare a proposal for an academic research.

Lecturer also invite Taylor's librarian to class so that they can brief us on the citation method we have, and also how to fully utilise the resources of Taylor's Library.

QSB 3414 Financial Management

This subject introduces me the management practices which covers both financial and organisational aspects in relation to construction projects. It also emphasise on the examine of resource-use systems, particularly the finances of a construction project as well as the management of important resources in ensuring quality performance from the project staff. This subject also allow the student to exposed to various terms of finance, which cover financial information systems and capital investments.

Throughout the whole semester, I am now able to identify the appropriateness of financial management systems for different construction projects and implement the accountancy principles and practices in examining the construction company's finances and accounts. I am now also able to define the appropriate cost control structure and technology in ensuring the quality management and total quality management (TQM) of the entire construction performance. Able to apply capital investment techniques in analyzing the cost & benefits for particular construction projects.

The assignment given also allows me to understand how to identify the financial report of a company.

QSB 3214 Building Economics

This subject me an overview of the Quantity Surveyor's role during the pre-tender stage of a development with practical situations of the various method of controlling the cost of buildings at the design stage. Throughout the whole semester, I am not able to introduce the relationship between building morphology, design variable and life cycle costing of a building. Other than that I also leaned how to apply information technology in the cost planning.

After 4 3 and half months of studying this subject, I am able to identify the role and responsibilities of Quantity Surveyors in the overall development process and to match the relationship between cost and design to a value outcome. I am now able to explain various methods of pre-tender estimating and outline the importance of cost studies to enhance the role of Quantity Surveyor in the development process. I am now also able to produce an estimate at pre-tender stage, cost plan based on historical data and S-curve for financial planning to a proposed project.

One of the highlight of the assignment given is that we are able to produce our own preliminary cost plan for the "client" from this assignment, we are able to learn the more accurate way to prepare a cost plan and also we are able to learn how to write a proper letter of award.

QSB 3615 Professional Practice 2

This subject provides me an overview of professional and contractual responsibilities of a Quantity Surveyor in the consultancy setup from the inception stage to the final account stage. This subject focus on the importance of a clear understanding of the organization and contract administration of quantity surveying practices and the legal and contractual procedures in relation to build environment.

Throughout the semester, I'm able to explain various construction contracts, the limitation and constraints and define the issues in interpreting the contract clauses of the construction contract. Besides I am now also able to describe team dynamic, power of teams and teamwork in construction contracts. 

Besides that, the lecturer also provides very good explanation on the clauses of the PAM Contract 2006 (with quantities). This allows me to fully understand the PAM form more clearer and it's easy for me when it comes to the assignment given. 

Besides the highlight of the module is the seminar, it is a very interesting assignment. The assignment is that the students have to group with their friends and they all will work on the same topic. I find it very interesting as we able to fully understand the particular chapter and we are also able to "set" questions for the other students to answer. 

MGT 60703 Strategic Management

Throughout the whole semester I've learn the fundamental concepts of strategic planning and management in the context of the real estate, design and construction industry. This subject also discuss about the basic business relationships among firms in the design and construction value chain.

This subject focus on these topics:
1) Industry analysis strategic planning models
2) Information technology strategy
3) Strategy in fragmented industries

The teaching method of the lecturer is tiny bit different from the other subject's lecture, as the lecture also gave us a few case study to study and later discuss in class. Throughout the discussion the lecturer and us (the student) will exchange some ideas and thus learn together.

Besides, the individual assignment given also helps me a lot as in I've learned to study the things out of the industries and able to derive it into a business. This might help me in future when I'm financially and ready to have my own business or firm.