Hiring a quantity surveyor is mandatory for any construction company. Their role is significant to the success of a construction project, key among them being developing a work breakdown structure (WBS). A construction project consists of a myriad of tasks and work elements that must be well-coordinated and planned for successful implementation. In this regard, WBS is a critical task for quantity surveyors. Notably, a well-developed WBS helps a quantity surveyor bring together vital ingredients of a construction project. That said, there are different types of WBS, which quantity surveyors can rely on during a construction project. This article highlights essential WBS models that quantity surveyors use in construction projects.
Contract Breakdown Structure
The relationship between a client, a contractor and a subcontractor is critical for the successful implementation of a construction project. A quantity surveyor's job is to make the relationships work; otherwise, a project experiences issues such as a breakdown in communication. Thus, a quantity surveyor must prepare a practical hierarchical model representing the relationship between key players in a project. The hierarchical model is described in a contract breakdown structure. Besides highlighting the relationships between a client and a contractor, a contract breakdown structure stipulates each party's contractual obligation to prevent misunderstandings.
Cost Breakdown Structure
A construction project can go off the rails without a quantity surveyor as far as cost is concerned. It makes project costing one of the most critical roles of a quantity surveyor. For instance, a surveyor uses their costing expertise to generate a budget for every detail in a project. However, a quantity surveyor needs a cost breakdown structure to help them evaluate and budget for all elements in a construction project before works commence. A detailed cost breakdown structure also helps quantity surveyors monitor and control cash flow and allocate resources on a needs basis. It includes the lowest level of work in a construction site, such as security personnel.
System Breakdown Structure
A building consists of different systems, including electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems. Besides, such systems can be grouped further with drainage, hot and cold water systems falling under the plumbing system. An electrical system can be branched into lighting, lighting protection and power system. The systems can be complicated and make a quantity surveyor's job difficult, especially when sourcing materials. Therefore, a system breakdown structure is handy since it helps a surveyor group work elements into their constituent categories, making project handling less complicated.
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