Gowthaman, M; Gamage, I and Karunaratne, T (2025) Framework for managing deficiencies and inefficiencies in quantity surveying-related software implementation. Construction Economics and Building, 25(2), pp. 192-214. ISSN 2204-9029
Abstract
There is a wide variety of software that can be applied in the construction sector relating to various aspects including design, time management, cost management, and quality management. Software like AutoCAD, CostX, Revit, CostOS™, Vico Cost Planner, PlanSwift, Oracle Primavera, Cubicost, and Bluebeam are among the prominent software that directly deal with cost management/quantity surveying (QS) aspects in construction projects. Although the global construction sector has been revolutionised by information technology, the Sri Lankan construction industry continues to be slow to adopt new technologies due to many factors. In particular, quantity surveyors encounter deficiencies and inefficiencies when implementing quantity surveying-related software within the Sri Lankan construction industry, mainly due to the issues related to the product, organisation, and human resources. Therefore, this study focused on strategies to overcome deficiencies and inefficiencies in implementing quantity surveying-related software in Sri Lanka and thereby enhance productivity. A qualitative approach was adopted using a survey research strategy to investigate the research phenomena in Sri Lanka. Data were collected through ten semi-structured interviews with industry practitioners and academic professionals. Purposive sampling identified resource persons experienced in quantity surveying and related software such as AutoCAD, CostX, Revit, CostOS™, Vico Cost Planner, PlanSwift, and Cubicost. The study revealed deficiencies such as lack of financial capacity, standards, skilled personnel, and knowledge opportunities, and inefficiencies including less memory access, organisational and legal issues, delays, budget overruns, and poor product quality. Experts suggested stakeholder actions to overcome these issues, and a framework was developed to support effective QS software implementation.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | deficiencies; inefficiencies; quantity surveying software; strategies |
| Index terms: | quantity surveying, legal issue, time management, new technology, qualitative approach, productivity, product quality, cost management, global construction, Sri Lanka, purposive sampling, implementation, construction industry, quality management, interview, personnel, surveying, strategy, cost planner, survey, construction project, human resource, budget overrun, practitioner, construction sector, information technology |
| Subjects: | financial and cost management, health monitoring assessment and metrics, data collection methods, profession, computing systems, project controls, industry analysis, management, innovation and technology management, contractual arrangements, legal systems, strategic management, practitioner, quality assurance, research methods, accounting and finance, production management, Geography |
| Topics: | Legal Issues, Quality Management, Health and Safety, Project Management, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Procurement, Digital Applications, Human Resources, International Construction, Time Control, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Roles and Professions |
| 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