Occupational Certificate: Quantity Surveying Viability Planner

The purpose of this part qualification is to prepare a learner to be a Quantity Surveying Viability Planner.

A qualified learner will be able to

• perform construction project cost estimation.
• conduct a viability study on a construction project, and
• produce a viability report.

Achieving this Quantity Surveying Viability Planner part qualification will provide several benefits to the learner, including:

• Carrying out a viability study will ensure the successful completion of construction projects and give learners the skills needed to inform their clients on information pertaining to their investment decisions.
• Being able to analyse a number of factors that help in making the final determination regarding a construction project.
• Undertaking calculations to determine total building costs, total capital outlay, operating costs and return on investment.
• Performing cost estimates and producing viability study reports with respect to construction projects.
• An understanding of property, real estate investments, the processes involved, and developing a framework for an investment strategy.
• Expanding the horizons of a Quantity Surveying Viability Planner who will operate in a niche field within the Quantity Surveying Profession and then be able to pursue other qualifications.
• Being accessible to learners from other fields like engineering, property development etc.

Typical graduate attributes include proficiency, efficiency, and effectiveness in completing various viability studies-related tasks. A Quantity Surveying Viability Planner is a person of integrity and high ethical standards as they need to ensure that construction projects, which are inherently costly, are only undertaken if the viability study indicates or predicts their likely success, thus ensuring completion of projects without getting into budgetary difficulties.

Rationale

There is a significant need for this part qualification to exist. A viability study is a detailed look at how profitable a business idea might be. This type of study does not consider whether something can be done instead, it looks at whether or not it is worth doing. Because it helps uncover potential problems or dangers associated with a project before major financial resources are committed to it, a viability study is an important tool for all stakeholders in the Built Environment profession. A viability study increases success probability. These points emphasise the importance of the Occupational Certificate: Quantity Surveying Viability Planner.

The Quantity Surveying Viability Planner operates in the broad construction sector, making a significant contribution to the South African economy. According to a report titled 'South Africa Construction Market Size, Trend Analysis by Sector, Competitive Landscape and Forecast to 2027' (December 2023), the South Africa construction market size was $25.5 billion in 2022. The market is projected to achieve an Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of more than 3% during 2024-2027. This emphasises the potential role that can and will be played by the Quantity Surveying Viability Planner, as part of a very niche function within the Quantity Surveying profession.

The Quantity Surveying Viability Planner part qualification is becoming increasingly sought after by those involved in the quantity surveying and construction sectors.

Currently, there is neither a qualification nor a part-qualification on a viability or feasibility study registered on the NQF, and neither is there any skills programme on viability studies recorded at the QCTO.

The Quantity Surveying sector and by extension the Built Environment sector will benefit substantially because the Quantity Surveying Viability Planner will assist project owners to determine whether a construction project is financially viable before any construction starts. It also allows the Quantity Surveying Viability Planner the opportunity to give project owners an informed indication of their expected return on investment, which would influence the owner's investment decision (i.e. whether to proceed with a project, make amendments to the project or discontinue the project altogether and look for a different investment alternative). This qualification will become an enabling mechanism and will ensure the increased success of projects whose owners have the wherewithal to start and complete projects. This qualification will also save prospective clients and property developers from starting on a project that is not financially viable and which could potentially place them in huge financial debt.

Concept and viability planning encompass many areas of the built environment, including residential, commercial, industrial, civil construction and shopping centre developments. Successful feasibilities lead to the successful execution of many projects which, in turn, provide an impetus for job creation opportunities for many industry participants. This qualification would lead to skills enhancement and create and eco-system for employment.

Increased employment brings about a concomitant beneficial impact on the economy because the construction/quantity surveying industry plays such a significant role in the economy.

Typical learners will be school leavers and those already working in the quantity surveying, construction, and engineering sectors.

This part qualification is also for people wanting to work in the built environment and construction sectors, with an interest in quantity surveying and who need core knowledge and skills required in the sector.

In terms of the learning pathway, they could pursue the Quantity Surveying Assistant qualification once it is registered. At the current moment this is the only part qualification available which is the lead in this space, therefore the articulation possibilities are not viable at the current moment. There could be qualifications in future perhaps during the review where the articulation within and across will be possible.

Various stakeholders participated in the development of this part qualification.

RPL for Access to Training

Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme if they do not meet the formal, minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme.

Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider which offers that specific qualification/part qualification/skills programme. Such an assessment must ensure that the learner is able to display the equivalent level of competencies required for access, based on the NQF level descriptors.

RPL for Exemption of Modules

For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded.

RPL for credits

Learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification or skills programme through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded.

RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA)

A valid Statement of Results is required for admission to the EISA in which confirmation of achievement is provided that all internal assessment criteria for all modules in the related curriculum document have been achieved.

Upon successful completion of the EISA, RPL learners will be issued with the QCTO certificate for the qualification, part-qualification or skills programme. Quality partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for qualifications and part-qualification are approved by the QCTO.

Entry Requirements

An NQF Level 4 qualification, with mathematics and science.

This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules

Knowledge Modules

• 214904-001-00-KM-01, Project Scope, NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.
• 214904-001-00-KM-04, Project Cost Estimation and Financial Viability Planning and Reporting, NQF Level 5, 11 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 16

Practical Skill Modules

• 214904-001-00-PM-01, Participate as a Quantity Surveyor Assistant in Project Scope definition (Pre-construction phase), NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.
• 214904-001-00-PM-05, Participate as a Quantity Surveyor Assistant in cost estimation, Performing a Viability Study and Completing a viability Study Report, NQF Level 5, 10 Credits.
• 214904-001-00-PM-03, Participate in Self-Development Processes, NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 20

Work Experience Modules

• 214904-001-00-WM-01, Processes to Participate as a Quantity Surveyor Assistant in Project Scope definition (pre-construction phase), NQF Level 4, 5 Credits.
• 214904-001-00-WM-03, Processes to Participate as a Quantity Surveyor Assistant in Cost Estimation, Performing a Viability study and Completing a Viability Study Report, NQF Level 5, 12 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 17

1. Perform project cost estimation, conduct a viability study and develop a viability report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

ELO 1: Perform project cost estimation, conduct a viability study and develop a viability report.

• Analyse concepts, principles and theory related to a viability study to enhance understanding of a viability study within the quantity surveying sector.
• Collect information for a viability study in the quantity surveying sector is collected from a range of sources and analyse, synthesise and evaluate.
• Interpret and analyse construction drawings and perform various calculations to enable cost estimation for a project.
• Perform analyses of client's requirements/brief, scope of project, market trends, the political, economic, demographic, macro-economic, local economic and property trends, and urban growth to enable the generation of a viability study in the quantity surveying sector.
• Estimate the total capital outlay of the project, total project income and costs and prepare a cash flow projection for the development period to indicate whether the intended project is a viable proposition.
• Assess risks, uncertainties, and financial returns associated with a viability study to ensure that a construction project has the prospect of success.
• Generate a viability study is produced using the various analyses, estimations and assessments, a viability study report is developed using the appropriate format and structure, and supporting documentation Associated Assessment Criteria.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessments conducted internally

Formative assessments are conducted throughout the training of learners. A range of formal, non-formal, and informal ongoing assessment activities are used to focus on teaching and learning outcomes to improve learner attainment.

Formative assessments are conducted continuously by the facilitator to feed into further learning, to identify strengths and weakness, and to ensure the learner's ability to apply knowledge, skills and workplace experience gained.

Formative Assessments are conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP), and a variety of ongoing assessment methods may be used, for example, quizzes, assignments, tests, scenarios, role play, interviews. Continuous feedback must be provided.

Integrated Summative Assessments conducted Internally

Integrated Assessment involves all the different types of assessment tasks required for a particular qualification, such as written assessment of theory and practical demonstration of competence. To achieve this, the Internal Assessment Criteria (IAC) for all modules as found in the QCTO curriculum document must be followed.

An accredited SDP should implement a well-designed, formal, relevant, final internal Summative Assessment strategy for all modules to prepare learners for the EISA. These assessments evaluate learning achievements relating to the achievement of each module of the relevant components of the qualification.

Internal Summative Assessments are developed, moderated and conducted by the SDP at the end of each module or after integration of relevant modules, e.g. applied knowledge tests, workplace tasks, practical demonstrations, simulated tasks/demonstrations, projects, case studies, etc.

The results of these final formal summative assessments must be recorded. These results, which include the Statement of Work Experience results, where applicable, contribute to the Statement of Results (SoR) that is a requirement for admission to the EISA. An SoR, using the template provided by the Quality Partner, is issued by the accredited SDP for qualifications and part-qualifications. The SDP must produce a valid Statement of Results for each learner, indicating the final result and the date on which the competence in each module, of each component, was achieved. Learners are required to produce this SoR, together with their ID document or alternative ID document, at the point of the EISA.

External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) - a national assessment

The Quality Partner is responsible for the management, conduct and implementation of the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA), in accordance with QCTO set standards. Competence in the EISA is a requirement for certificating a learner.

For entrance into the EISA, the learner requires a valid Statement of Results issued by the accredited institution indicating the attainment of all modules for the Knowledge, Practical and Work Experience modules.