IT and the ten surveyors

Citation

Hoxley, M. (1999), "IT and the ten surveyors", Structural Survey, Vol. 17 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.1999.11017baa.001

IT and the ten surveyors

IT and the ten surveyors

After many false dawns, computer processing power and software development have now reached a stage when one can clearly see that information technology (IT) will soon play a significant role in the work of construction and property professionals. One of the papers in this issue reports a Government-funded project to create an integrated information model which can be accessed over the Internet by all of the professionals working on a construction project. The paper by Aouad and Sun explains how the client, architect, structural and M&E engineers, quantity surveyor, project manager and contractor will soon be able to access all of the project information held on central databases while sitting at their desks (or by using a lap top and a mobile telephone). In addition, any member of the project team will be able to take a virtual walk through the building model over the Internet.

The writer recently attended a demonstration of a commercially available software package which enables a building designer to create a three-dimensional computer model of the building in a relatively short period. This software, like the OSCON project described by Aouad and Sun, uses objects rather than vectors (which are used by traditional CAD packages). Once the model is complete the software can automatically produce working drawings, bills of quantities, work schedules and even a facilities management programme. Computer packages like these are likely to reduce the need for technician level staff in many professional practices. A revolution in the way that construction projects are conceived and planned is just around the corner!

While computers can take much of the drudgery out of some of the technical work required to plan buildings, they will never be able to inspect buildings. Any reader who watched the Channel 4 Dispatches programme Surveying the Surveyors in February will have been severely depressed by the poor level of competence demonstrated by ten randomly selected house surveyors. For those who missed the programme, the paper by Malcolm Hollis (who appeared in the programme) and Keith Bright, which follows this commentary is a must.

In future issues the authors will be writing further papers about the lessons to be learned from this unique research experiment. Clearly however one of the main points made in the programme and paper is that it is just not possible to carry out an inspection for a Homebuyers Survey in the time taken by some of the surveyors in the experiment. The commercial pressures placed upon some surveyors are intolerable. The writer has recently been told of a Building Society staff valuer who was expected to carry out six Homebuyers Surveys in a day. Clearly, if the clients are to receive a worthwhile report this is impossible ­ in the writer's experience one such survey a day is sensible and two just about possible in the summer months.

One can only hope that Hollis and Bright's recommendations are taken seriously by the powers that be, to prevent the entire surveying profession falling into disrepute. Is it too much to hope that, in the future, the increased technological assistance available to professionals, will free time up for what Hollis and Bright say is essential when surveying buildings ­ to inspect, consider, reflect and advise?

Mike Hoxley