The future of quantity surveying – becoming drivers of innovation
The future of quantity surveying – becoming drivers of innovation
Technology often feels like it is accelerating at an uncontrollable pace. That’s because it is. 40 years ago, the first personal computers arrived. Hardly anyone owned one. Now we walk around with a computer the size of our hand, with access to all the information in the world, right in our pockets. 40 years is not a long period of time for such a drastic change to have taken place. Innovation drives every aspect of our world.
With technology advancing so quickly, and computers able to do more and more each day, it is no wonder many quantity surveyors are concerned about where they stand in the future. Are you still going to be useful in 10 years time, or will faster, more efficient technology take over, leaving you jobless?
The future of quantity surveying
There is no doubt that quantity surveyors’ jobs will change in the coming years. They have already shifted significantly over the past few decades. Just look at the sudden arrival of BIM in the field. This transformed the game in quantity surveying. It allowed developments to become more efficient, faster, more accurate, and less tedious. This does not diminish the need for the job. It only means there needs to be a change in the role during projects as time goes on.
Staying profitable in a changing role
The advancement of technology in the field of quantity surveying provides more and more avenues for quantity surveyors to branch out with their skills. When innovations like BIM come along, who are the ones who need to be able to use the software? Quantity surveyors. When people need training in new technology, who are the ones with the in-depth and in-field knowledge of how it to use it? Quantity surveyors. These are just two new roles that these staff may look to fill. Another route for them to explore in an adapting field is innovation.
Becoming drivers of change through innovation
We need to look beyond this overused buzzword and find out how innovation can be a profitable part of a quantity surveyor’s future role. Research from the QUT Research Week found that people in this position tended to excel at innovation within the fields of data collection, and management and monitoring processes – roles which other members of construction teams may not be as skilled in.
As a result, it may be that the hard years of studying which go towards being an in-field quantity surveyor will start to have more focus on adding creative thinking and adaptation to the rigid role. This will steer the purpose of the job towards improving the industry over time. If this is the case, there is a chance in the future for quantity surveyors to become a driving force in the rapidly advancing field of quantity surveying, rather than passive participants reacting to changes.
At Inscape, we make it our duty to immerse ourselves in the complex world of construction. This means when the time comes for us to do our part, providing bespoke manufacturing services and support for your construction team, we are the best company to approach. Get in touch with us today on 0845 230 8565 .