Weerasooriya, D; Ranadewa, K A T O and Perera, B A K S (2025) Facilitating the role of quantity surveyors through integration of cyber-physical systems. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 23(3), pp. 871-894. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: Cyber-physical systems (CPS) enable the synergistic integration of virtual models with the physical environment. This integration is gaining recognition for its potential to enhance construction project information management, thereby contributing to improved cost management in construction. Similarly, quantity surveyor (QS) plays a key role in construction projects by estimating and monitoring construction costs. Consequently, this research aims to explore redefining the role of QSs by integrating CPS. Design/methodology/approach: The research adopted an interpretivism stance to collect and analyse data. Two rounds of 21 and 19 semi-structured interviews were conducted, with experts selected through heterogeneous purposive sampling. Code-based content analysis was used to analyse the data using NVivo12. MS Visio data visualisation tool was used to present the findings. Findings: It is empirically proven the potential of CPS to facilitate nine key roles of QSs in all stages of the RIBA plan of work through the identification of 15 CPS applications and technologies. Nine key roles of QSs that CPS can facilitate were identified as preliminary estimation, measurement and quantification, contract administration, preparation of BOQ, interim valuation and payments, tender and contract documentation, cost planning, cost control and procurement advice. The study explored how adopting CPS technologies can transform traditional quantity surveying practices and enhance their value within the construction industry. Originality/value: The findings add to the body of knowledge by redefining the role of QS through the integration of CPS for the first time and then by highlighting the usages of CPS in the construction industry rather than limiting it to a specific sector of the construction industry, as previous studies have done. This research uncovers several other research arenas on CPS as being the very first research to evaluate CPS to facilitate key roles of QSs. The findings can enhance the awareness and the practical implementation of CPS by intervening to form more partnerships among application developers and industry leaders.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | applications; cyber-physical systems; key roles; quantity surveyors; RIBA |
| Index terms: | interview, quantity surveying practice, interpretivism, content analysis, data visualization, integration, methodology, construction project, cost control, body of knowledge, contract documentation, cost planning, plan of work, estimating, quantification, contract administration, quantity surveying, construction cost, partnership, cost management, estimation, monitoring, implementation, purposive sampling, construction industry |
| Subjects: | research methods, accounting and finance, theoretical framing, contract management, production management, operations management, contractual arrangements, knowledge management, financial management, measurement and scaling, organizational analysis, partnership management, industry analysis, data collection methods, profession, control systems, financial and cost management, data science, data analysis and analytics |
| Topics: | Procurement, Project Management, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Cost Management, Information Management, Research Practice, Site Management, Organizational Design, Contract Administration, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here