NZIQS Competency Programme Notes

NZIQS Competency Standards Overview

Element 1: Soft Skills

  • 1.1 Communication Skills

    • Effectively communicate orally, in writing, and with visual aids
    • Combine facts and ideas into complex wholes
    • Prepare written information formally to convey meaning clearly

  • 1.2 Personal and Interpersonal Skills

    • Demonstrate self-confidence, time management, self-motivation, and enthusiasm
    • Understand the role and motivation of others; participate in teamwork
    • Identify and assess problems; find innovative solutions
    • Set and achieve personal objectives and targets

  • 1.3 Professional Practice and Ethics

    • Understand the NZIQS Code of Conduct
    • Know roles, responsibilities, and legal liabilities of Quantity Surveyors
    • Apply ethics of professional practice
    • Comply with legislation relevant to quantity surveying practice
    • Understand Quantity Surveyor's role in multi-disciplinary teams

  • 1.4 Health and Safety

    • Understand legal health and safety obligations
    • Recognize personal safety requirements on-site and in the office
    • Know specific regulations related to area of work and impact on health and safety

  • 1.5 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    • Understand principles for accessible and inclusive environments
    • Recognize diverse user needs, putting people first
    • Consider the legal, economic, sustainable, and social case for inclusion

  • 1.6 Continuing Professional Development

    • Engage in continuous professional development to stay relevant in the industry
Element 2: Basic Skills and Knowledge

  • 2.1 Quantification/Measurement

    • Understand purpose and standardized measurement approaches
    • Apply measurement rules and methods specific to the practice
    • Read and interpret construction and engineering drawings
    • Quantify and measure elements accurately

  • 2.2 Construction Law and Regulations

    • Know laws and regulations in construction industry
    • Understand building and construction contracts and current legislation
    • Be aware of standard forms of contracts and order of precedence

  • 2.3 Computer and Information Technology

    • Apply basic computer skills relevant to practice
    • Use information technology effectively

  • 2.4 Dispute Resolution

    • Learn techniques for conflict avoidance and resolution
    • Understand contractual provisions for dispute resolution in construction
    • Familiarize with negotiation, mediation, and litigation procedures

  • 2.5 Sustainability

    • Know sustainability principles in development and construction
    • Understand the impact of legislation on sustainability practices
    • Appreciate design considerations for sustainability in building projects
Element 3: Construction Methodology and Technology
  • 3.1 Construction Procedures
    • Understand design and construction technology and methodologies
    • Know how methodologies impact project costs
    • Demonstrate knowledge in various construction aspects, from demolition to major earthworks
Element 4: Design Advice, Cost Planning, and Cost Engineering

  • 4.1 Cost Planning and Elemental Cost Analysis

    • Establish project cost objectives and budgeting constraints
    • Understand elemental cost planning and data sources
    • Apply whole of life cycle costing principles

  • 4.2 Analysis of the Design Solution

    • Review project design against cost plans

  • 4.3 Estimating Knowledge

    • Understand various types of cost estimates and their foundations
    • Report on different stages of design cost estimates

  • 4.4 Estimating Specifics

    • Consider factors impacting cost estimates, including site conditions and inflation

  • 4.5 Prepare Estimates

    • Prepare detailed estimates and project cashflows

  • 4.6 Evaluation and Review of Estimates

    • Evaluate estimates against original project objectives
Element 5: Procurement and Contract Documentation

  • 5.1 Procurement Basics

    • Advise on appropriate procurement routes, including traditional, design and build

  • 5.2 Procurement Specifics

    • Understand roles and responsibilities associated with procurement

  • 5.3 Preparation of a Schedule of Quantities

    • Measure and quantify items accurately and ensure schedule completeness

  • 5.4 Pricing of Schedules

    • Build-up unit rates and forecast construction inflation

  • 5.5 Tendering Basics

    • Know forms of tendering like single stage, two-stage, and negotiated tenders

  • 5.6 Tendering Specifics

    • Develop tender documents, evaluate tenders, and manage the tender process

  • 5.7 Contract Selection and Drafting

    • Understand types of contracts and their implications on risk allocation
Element 6: Contract Administration and Reporting

  • 6.1 Contract Administration (For Consultants)

    • Manage forecasts, cash flows, and financial reporting during construction

  • 6.2 Commercial Management of Contracts (For Builders)

    • Oversee financial aspects of construction, including procurement, valuations, and final accounts