CHAFTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGRUOND TO THE STUDY
According to (Oyediran & Odusami, 2005). The explosive growth of the information andcommunication technology (ICT) has gained unquantified impact on business systemsand processes. However, global acceptance and widespread adoption of ICT hasaccelerated the dimensions of competition not only among organizations globally butamong professions locally. (Ashworth et al, 2007). Also noted that the use of informationand communication technology has also created wide range of implications which can benoted that ICT has changed the way in which we communicate, reach decisions, manageour work and store information.(Oyediran & Odusami,2005). However advised that since computer has promised to be areliable tool in all spheres of human endeavors as literature documents has revealed therelevance of computer-technology in construction industry, the quantity surveyors (QS)should not lag behind in the adoption of various tools provided by computer-technologythat has promised to improve the quality, promote efficiency and speed up their servicedelivery from inception to commissioning. The reason for this advice may be hinged onthe multidisciplinary nature of Quantity Surveying which (Nwagbara, 2008). Have notedthat is the application of the knowledge and skill of the art, sciences, engineering andtechnology in the practice of determining the economic use of resources of theconstruction industry and the financial appraisal and the measurement of constructionworks. Thus a Q.S. is expected to be adequately educated and trained, and possesses the1
knowledge, skills and experiences to provide quantity surveying services to clients anddesigners, as well as financial management during the whole spectrum of constructionprocesses, such services include among others are preparation of feasibility studies,preparing preliminary construction cost planning and control, offering of cost advice toemployers/clients and architects/engineers on financial and contractual matters that relateto construction work, providing technical processes of measurement for the preparationof tender/bid documents, advising on suitable procurement system, monitoring andevaluation of projects and programmes etc. (Nwagbara,2008).
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
Our society is undergoing profound and rapid changes as a result of information Superhighway, which is rightly referred to as the digital revolution. These changes haveoccurred primarily in response to changes in industry/client demands, economic andtechnological changes brought about by globalization. (Aminu,2005). Also, (Oyediran &Odusami,2005) in (Honey,1998) have reported that about 83% of the quantity surveyorsin the UK use computer at work and that is quite a large proportion of members usegeneral-purpose office software (database and spreadsheet applications). Therefore oneway of keeping abreast with development is through learning new skills etc. Howeverobserved by (Olukayode, 2005). That there was increasing yearly rate of adoption ofcomputer in QS services, particularly among those QSs in their mid-career years. About89% of the Nigerian quantity surveyors have been using computer for project costmanagement services (PCMS).2
1.3 NEED FOR THE STUDY
(Oyediran & Odusami,2005). Stated that QS appears to be one of the professions in theconstruction industries that has not been profoundly transformed by the application oftechnological advancement offered by digital revolution especially in developingcountries like Nigeria. As such, the QS must avail themselves to the various toolsprovided by the computer-technology that has promised to improve the quality, efficiencyand speedup their service delivery.
1.4 AIM The aim of this work is to investigate utilization of QS-Based Softwares in preparing Bill of Quantities by QS firms in Katsina and Kaduna States.
1.5 OBJECTIVES a. To identify the firms that utilize the softwares.b. To determine the benefits generated by the users.c. To identify the challenges facing the users.d. To find ways of facing the challenges.
1.6 SCOPEThe work is to be conducted in Katsina and Kaduna States, with particular reference toQuantity Surveying firms operating in the study area.