Dissertation (QSB 4914)

Lecturer: Ms. Theong May Chuan

Supervisor: Mr. Lee Wing Tey

Reasearch Dissertation is our final year assignment. We need to carry out a study of current local
and global issues in the construction industry and it takes 2 semesters to complete. My research title is
 'The involvement of foreign and local contractors in mega project in Malaysia'.

Aim

• To identify the problem faced during the construction of mega project
• to identify the solution to the problems faced above. 

Scope of Study

• Foreign contractors in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur
• Local contractors in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur

Research Methodology

• Questionnaire survey

Data Analysis

• Ranking & Average Index
• Data was analyzed by ranking and average index. 

Conclusion

Based on the research done, it is found that the most common problems faced by the contractors
 during the construction of mega projects in Malaysia is Cost overrun and delay in mega projects.
 And the solution to the problems faced would be project management. 

Development Economic (QSB 4223)

Lecturers: Mr. Ho June Khai                   

                  Ms. Dianne Kok Hui Wei  

Objectives 

• To understand the general principles of economics and the relationship between the construction industry and also property development process.
• To understand feasibility study in property development.
• To understand finance operating system in construction industry.

Assignment 

The assignment is divided into Group Assignment (65%) and Individual Assignment (35%). 

There are required 9 students for the group assignment, we were required to carry out analysis of the number of units for the type of houses to be built for the proposed development project. Besides that, we need to prepare financial appraisal and cash flow. Whereas for the individual assignment, based on the analysis done in the group assignment, we were required to give comment on the cash flow and viability of the project based on 'Build-then-Sell' concept.

Learning Outcomes 

This module helps us to understand more on the various techniques of development appraisal and source of finance available. We learnt how to calculate the developer's budget. Besides that, we also learnt how to execute the cost-benefits analysis in the earlier stage of investment proposal and valuation system to help on decision making during the feasibility stage. The assignment helps in getting better understanding about cash flow process and the property development process

Cost Value Engineering (QSB 4214)

Lecturers: Sr. Lee Wing Tey                 

                  Sr. Loo Seong King

Objectives

• To understand the function, the contribution to the industry, the development of Value Management and understand how Value Management can be applied to construction projects so as to achieve savings in term of cost, time and quality.

Assignment

It is a Group Assignment consisting of 10 members. We are required to carry out a case study report for project implementing Value Management or project which is to be implemented with Value Management studies. In this assignment, my group had carried a case study report for Khoo's Villa. We had implemented Value Management for the project and we had learnt that we can manage cost effectively in every aspects. Learning OutcomesI have understand more about Value Management, the origins of Value Management, the terminology of the Value Management, the benefits of it to the industry, the workshop to carry out the study, the barriers to the application and the method to promote the application. I understand the benefits that Value Management can bring to a project where it will eliminate unnecessary cost but maintaining the quality and fulfill client's requirements.

Construction Law (QSB 4414)

Lecturer: Sr. Lim Sek Cheon

Objectives

• To understand the general principles on the formation of a contract and remedies in the event of breach.
• To know more about the roles and liabilities of the professionals in construction industry in relation to professional negligence and the use of collateral contract.
• To understand more on laws that relating to the payments, constractual claims and interpretation rules of ambiguity found in documents in construction industry.
• To understand the laws relating land and construction industry with regards to National Land Code, Street, Drainage and Building Act, Uniform Building By-Law, etc.
• To have better understanding regarding the principles and procedures of litigation, arbitration, adjudication and other alternative dispute resolution stated by the Malaysian Government and Standard Form of Contract.

Assignment

There are two assignments which are Seminar and Loss & Expense Assessment.

Seminar

We were assigned two in a group to carry out seminar about the lecture. My partner is Kavitha Manipala and we carried out the seminar about Contractual Claims. The purpose of the seminar is to train us to speak in public. This will helps us a lot in future when we are working.

Loss & Expense Assessment

We carried out this assignment with a group of 10 persons where we act as consultants assessing the contractor's application for loss and expense claim. We assessed the applications based on the Conditions of Contract and Principles of Laws relating to remedies and damages due to breach of contract. This helps us to identify, explain and distinguish the various laws related to the construction industry including land law and construction statutes by demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the principles in law, conditions of contract and the applicable statutes. We also need to provide evidence of reasoned advice in relation to contractual claims and interpretation of any discrepancies of various contract documents.

 

Learning Outcomes

This module helps to better understanding towards the various laws ad its applications related to construction industry. Besides that, I learnt that every dispute has different methods of resolution, and principles to apply in the dispute varies. We must adopt a systematic approach to analyse the disputes. By having the seminar and the group assignment, its enhanced my knowledge on the matters that involving contractual claims and its assessment. Different interpretation can be done by different individual regarding the construction laws, however it must be done in fair and reasonable.

Financial Management

Lecturer : Mr Chang Jau Ho and Sr. Lee Ting Wey

Lesson learnt are :

- Introduction to Financial Management (Part 1)

- Introduction to Financial Management (Part 2)

- Company Finance & Accounts

- Financial Information Systems (Part 1)

- Financial Information Systems (Part 2)

- Capital Investment (Part 1)

- Capital Investment (Part 2)

- Introduction to Organizational Management (Part 1)

- Introduction to Organizational Management (Part 2)

- Corporate Analysis - Construction (Part 1)

- Corporate Analysis - Construction (Part 2)

- Firm Management

- Financial Investment Appraisal (Part 1)

- Financial Investment Appraisal (Part 2)

ASSIGNMENT :

We were assigned to work in a group of 7 and were required to choose one local company and briefly write their :

1)      Introduction with the executive summary of company including company milestone.

2)      Brief write out on the company financial and marketing objective.

3)      Brief write out on the company core business.

4)      Overview on business operation.

5)      Conclusion with recommendation.

6)      Financial Highlight for 5 years – taken latest 2(two) years from annual report and forecasting for the following 3 year based on the company historical records.

In this assignment, my group has studied Maybank Berhad. We had learnt that Maybank doesn't like other companies that have gross profit, we have to understand the financial statement before proceed to the calculation in order to forecast the business plan in the next 5 years. We have learnt all their company core business including their objective, vision and mission of the company. It is indeed one of the top Malaysian company listed in Bursa Malaysia and the best Malaysia company listed in Forbes 2000. We have learnt in-depth how to do a financial forecast of a business. We used what was taught in Corporate Analysis to analyze the performance of the company. This assignment is indeed very useful as it has reflected whatever we have learnt in the past 14 weeks.

Measurement 5

Lecturer : Mr Ramar Subramaniam and Sr. Chee Wai Meng

This module covers the measurement of M&E (Mechanical and Electrical) as well as C&S (Civil and Structural) works. Introduction on the principles of specification writing, form of specification writing and their application in various trades are taught in the module. 

Scope of learning :

- M&E :  

     1. Electrical Installation

     2. Cold Water Installation

     3. Sanitary Installation

     4. Fire Protection

     5. Air Condition

- C&S :

     1. Excavation & Earthwork

     2. Environmental Protection & Enhancement ( Sediment Basin)

     3. Traffic Management & Control 

     4. Site Investigation Work (Deep Boring)

     5. Demolition & Site Clearance

     6. Geotechnical Work (Retaining Wall)

     7. Railtrack 

     8. Concrete Work of Prestressed Concrete

ASSIGNMENT 

A group which consists of 6 persons was required to prepare a complete measurement including the Bill of Quantities of the area and volume of the site clearance. 

Through this assignment, I am able to understand and use the following formulas:Area = D/3*(K+2L+4M), where,  

D = distance between offsets   

K = sum of first and last ofsets   

L = sum of remaining odd offsets   

M = sum of even offsets

Building Economics

Lecturer: Miss Dianne Kok and Sr. Ho.


This subject introduces me on the QS role in the overall development process.

Upon learning this module, I am able to match the relationship between cost and design to a value outcome.
Also, I am able to explain various methods of pre-tender estimating.  Other than that, I am also able to identify the importance of cost studies to enhance the role of QS in the development process.
Besides that, I am capable of implementing Elemental Cost Analysis to estimate building cost.
Furthermore, I can also produce an estimate at pre-tender stage to proposed project and a cost plan on historical data in group or independently.


ASSIGNMENT:
We were assigned to work in a group of 6 and prepare a preliminary estimate of a proposed building according to the assignment brief given by the lecturer.