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RICS APC (Quantity Surveying) > Case study questions > Flashcards

Case study questions Flashcards

1
Q

What building regulations are associated with sustainability?

A

Part L - the conservation of fuel and power.

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2
Q

What two kind of accounts do companies have to produce?

A
  1. Financial accounts: External accounts and issued to HMRC & Companies House (for external stakeholders.
  2. Management accounts: Internal accounts for internal use (any format, any time). Financial reports used for business owners and managers. Not required by law.
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3
Q

What is a profit & loss statement?

A

A profit & loss statement shows the income and expenditure of a company over a set period of time (normally the financial year).

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4
Q

What are some of the objectives on your company’s (T&T’s) business plan?

A

Our Purpose: We are making the difference; transforming performance for a green, inclusive and productive world.
* Green - investment in net zero and renewables. Deliver projects more sustainably.
* Inclusive - collaboration and diverse talent
* Productive - more data driven and insight led

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5
Q

How do you contribute to T&T’s business plan?

A

1) Spend time with the junior members of the team and have assisted a number of them in their apprenticeships.
2) Spent time with a new member of staff from Qatar
3) I use all of our digital tools which contribute towards our digital transformation
4) I always recycle where I can and car pool to site meetings and events to other offices
5) Networking
6) Share knowledge with my team

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6
Q

What are the 7 principles of GDPR?

A
  1. Lawfulness
  2. Purpose limitation
  3. Data minimisation
  4. Accuracy
  5. Accountability
  6. Confidentiality
  7. Storage limitation
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7
Q

What are the levels of fines / sanctions for failing to comply with GDPR?

A

Lower level: 10 million euros or 2% of annual turnover, whichever is highest.
Higher level: 20 million euros or 4% of annual turnover, whichever is highest.

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8
Q

How would you deal with confidentiality if you were to send data overseas?

A

Once data is sent to an overseas location they become the data owners. To avoid this I would recheck all recipients of emails I am sending, not send sensitive data or confirm with the client or information owner that it’s OK to send data. Also check local laws.

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9
Q

What is unconscious bias?

A

The underlying attitudes and stereotypes that people unconsciously attribute to another person or group of people that affect how they understand and engage with a person or group.

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10
Q

What are the benefits to a diverse team?

A
  • Increased creativity and innovation
  • Enhanced problem-solving and decision making
  • Strengthened skill sets
  • Boosted profits and revenue
  • Heightened employee engagement
  • Improved company reputation
  • Strengthened team morale.
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11
Q

Do you know of any reports on Diversity by the RICS?

A

Building Inclusivity - Laying the Foundation for the Future

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12
Q

Do you know any alternative sustainability assessments to BREEAM?

A
  • LEED - Leadership in Energy, Environment and Design (Used by US)
  • SKA - Skanson - RICS own assessment method for office fit-out.
  • CEEQUAL
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13
Q

Do you know any UK legislation that deals with Sustainability?

A
  1. Sustainability Act
  2. Clean Air Act
  3. Energy Act
  4. Climate Change Act
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14
Q

What are the 3 Pillars of sustainability?

A
  1. Social
  2. Economic
  3. Environmental
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15
Q

What is outlined in Part L of the building regulations?

A

Part L sets the standard for energy performance and carbon emissions in new construction or change of use construction projects.

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16
Q

What is decarbonisation?

A

Decarbonisation refers to the process of reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the atmosphere. This is a crucial strategy for mitigating climate change and achieving net zero emissions.

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17
Q

What are the main forms of ADR?

A
  1. Negotiation - parties work out disputes by themselves
  2. Mediation - parties agree on an independent party to facilitate discussions to reach a settlement. Power still remains with the parties.
  3. Adjudication - a legal alternative to arbitration and litigation. Deigned to allow for disputes to be resolved more quickly and cost effectively. Power is with the adjudicator.
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18
Q

When can mediation become legally binding?

A

Only when the parties involved reach an agreement and sign a settlement agreement. This signed agreement is then enforceable by law.

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19
Q

What is the RICS guidance for conflict avoidance?

A

Conflict avoidance dispute resolution in construction black book.

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20
Q

What are the benefits to good data management?

A

Streamlined Processes and Increased Efficiency
Better Data Consistency
Easier Data Sharing
Enhanced Privacy and Compliance
Backup and Recovery
Better security
Improved Data Integrity

21
Q

Do you know of any formal team building guidance?

A

RICS and the Construction Industry Council both have guidance on appointing project managers and the project team respectively.

22
Q

Do you know of any team building theories?

A

Bruce Tuckman theory - How groups of people progress through a series of stages:
* Forming - what are the goals / objectives.
* Storming - what are the conflicts.
* Norming - team spirit.
* Performing - finding the balance.
* Adjourning - Feedback.

23
Q

What legislation are you aware of relating to D&I?

A
  1. Disability Discrimination Act 2005
  2. Equality Act 2010
  3. Human Rights Act
24
Q

Are there any Building Regulations relevant to inclusive environments?

A

Approved Document M - Access to and use of buildings

25
Q

What is the role of the QS under JCT D&B?

A

Does not exist, only a supporting role to EA.

26
Q

What is an Extension of Time (EoT)?

A

Provision that allows the CA to ‘adjust the completion date’, prevent time from becoming ‘at large’ and thereby postponing the employer’ right to recover liquidated damages.

27
Q

What is the procedure for claiming an EoT?

A

Contractor write to CA as soon as reasonably apparent that a delay has occurred. Notification should identify a Relevant Event and give an indication of the delay.

28
Q

How long does the EA have to assess a an Extension of Time under JCT?

A

12 weeks from receipt.

29
Q

What are the timescales surrounding an Loss & Expense claim under JCT?

A

28 days for the EA or CA to review and agree.

30
Q

What are the timescales for payment under JCT D&B contract?

A

Interim Valuation Dates (IVD) are agreed in the contract particulars and occur monthly.
The due date for interim payment is 7 days after the IVD.
Contractor must submit an interim application for payment by the IVD, due date is 7 days from IVD.
Payment Notice issued within 5 days from Due Date
Final Date for Payment is 14 days from Due Date
Pay less notice should be issued no later than 5 days prior to Final Date for Payment

31
Q

Can you name some of the contracts within the NEC suite of contracts?

A

○ Option A - Priced contract with CSA
○ Option B - Priced contract with BoQ
○ Option C - Target contract with CSA
○ Option D - Target contract with BoQ
○ Option E - Cost Reimbursable
○ Option F - Management Contract
○ Option G - Term Contract (Only for consultants - appointment document)

32
Q

Can you name some of the contracts within the JCT suite of contracts?

A

○ JCT Design & Build
○ JCT Minor Works
○ JCT Intermediate
○ JCT Pre-Construction Services Agreement
○ JCT Major Projects Agreement
○ JCT Measured Term
○ JCT Standard Building (with quant/wo /approx)
○ JCT Framework Agreement

33
Q

What happens at practical completion?

A

Half retention released
Client’s opportunity to levy LAD’s ceases
Insurance switches from Contractor to Client
Defects liability period begins

34
Q

What would you advise a client who came to you with insurance queries regarding the contract?

A

I cannot advise on insurances as I am not qualified nor covered by the PI insurance of T&T.

35
Q

How does risk vary between different forms of procurement?

A
  • Traditional - design risk with client, often lump sum so commercial risk with contractor
  • D&B - design risk with contractor, if lump sum cost risk with contractor
  • Approx. quantities - cost risk with client
36
Q

How do you quantify risk using NRM1?

A

Risk is quantified based on actual probability and impact to the project, not as a % under NRM.

37
Q

What are the 5 techniques to managing a risk?

A

Shrink
Accept
Distribute (make sure it’s to the right person)
Eliminate
Monitor

38
Q

What is a risk?

A

An uncertain event or set of circumstances that, if happened, would have a negative impact on the project’s objectives.

39
Q

How would you cost a risk?

A

Only cost those that have a cost impact.
Cost the outcome as if the risk occurred - multiply by the risk score (total risk rating) - so don’t include the full cost, only the Expected Monetary Value (EMV)

40
Q

What is Expected Monetary Value (EMV)?

A

Quantitative way to asses risk. Multiply the monetary impact by the probability of the risk occurring.

41
Q

What other Risk calculation methods could you use?

A

Monte Carlo simulation - technique that predicts the probability of multiple scenarios (uses computer software)

42
Q

What are the 3 types of Conflict of Interest?

A
  1. Party Conflict (If you work for two different clients on a matter, where those two clients have conflicting interests, you will be conflicted)
  2. Own interest conflict (where your own interests are at stake)
  3. Confidential information conflict (if you are obliged to keep certain information confidential for one party but obliged to reveal the same information to another party)
43
Q

What is T&T’s complaints handling procedure?

A
  • Immediately on receipt on the complaint, the nature of it is discussed by the Director concerned and the CM and a Corrective Action Record (CAR) is initiated
  • CAR - identifies the problem, action to be taken and the date it should be rectified by. Also identifies any appropriate future preventative action required to ensure that a reoccurrence of the event leading to the complaint does not take place.
  • On receipt of formal complaint, Director will write to client to advise complaint is being dealt with. CM implements actions set out in CAR and advises Director. Feedback from Client to verify satisfactory outcome must be added to CAR.
  • Should Client not be happy, meeting must be arranged with Client and Director to agree further action.
  • Next options - Regional MD, then T&T’s CEO for resolution using independent Alternative Dispute Resolution.
44
Q

How do I deal with Client care?

A

I check in regularly with them (weekly as a minimum) I’m open and honest with them

45
Q

What are the various stages of negotiation?

A
  1. Preparation
  2. Opening
  3. Bargaining
  4. Conclusion
46
Q

Tell me about a successful or unsuccessful negotiation

A

Agreeing final accounts with clients (as a main contractor)

47
Q

What are the key principles under CDM 2015 regulations?

A
  • Construction (Design & Management) Regs 2015
  • Ensure client, designers, contractors and others consider the H&S of those constructing, maintaining and demolishing works.
  • Places statutory duties on clients, PD, designers and contractors to plan, manage and coordinate H&S throughout the project.
  • Improve safety on site through design, planning and management.
48
Q

Can you identify a few differences between the JCT and NEC contracts?

A

○ NEC includes time and cost in changes
○ Programme is a contract document under NEC
○ NEC is more collaborative in theory but more administrative heavy
○ NEC puts timescales on its change control procedures.

49
Q

What is the Building Safety Act 2022?

A

Introduced to reform building safety legislation in response to Grenfell.

  1. Enhanced safety measures: new regime for higher’risk buildings (at least 18m high or at least 7 storeys and 2 or more residential units)
  2. New regulatory bodies: Building Safety Regulator (high-rise), National Regulator of Construction Products & New Homes Ombudsman
  3. Competence & Accountability: Improve competence of those responsible for overseeing, managing and delivering works to high-risk buildings

RICS APC (Quantity Surveying) (20 decks)

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