tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-427587189920694712024-03-08T10:33:37.624-08:00APC CPDPlease email contributions to james@cpddirect.com
If any readers wish to add content, useful links or the like to this forum, and I hope some of you do, email it to me at james@cpddirect.com and I will post it for you. I think I have to moderate it like this but it should be a quick service. Readers are particularly interested in hearing from assessors and other APC candidates who have recently been assessedCPD Direct Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284289445906708593noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42758718992069471.post-62999300946078039002008-06-11T06:02:00.000-07:002008-06-11T06:04:00.095-07:00<h3><a href="http://apcrics.blogspot.com/2008/05/recent-interview-feedback.html">Recent interview feedback</a> </h3> <p>Here is a query from a candidate assessed recently which demonstrates how the questioning can progress and also emphasising how you can become demoralised if you feel a question did not go well and how this can impact on your performance on the rest of the interview.<br />> Dear James<br />> Just thought I would let you know how I got on at my interview following your help with my Critical Analysis.<br />><br />> The panel were friendly and the chairman very welcoming although one of the assessors did seem to want to question me on areas for which I did not have significant experience and seemed to enjoy getting me into a corner.<br />><br />> The presentation went well, i feel, and the questions started relatively ok.<br />><br />> I am concerned in particular about 2 areas:<br />><br />> 1. I was quizzed about 'can I be sued personally if i performed my duties as an Employers agent negligently' and how does this differ in my role as a QS?? I answered along the lines of ... i understand the Merrett v babb case has increased the chances of surveyors being held personally liable but, unless i was not acting within the realms of my employment, my negligence would be covered by the employers PI insurance. He did not seem to like this and asked for a straight answer, yes or no, whether i could be personally liable. At this stage i panicked slightly and said "no, i believe i am covered by the firm's PI for both EA roles and QS". Unfortunately from this point on my performance<br />decreased.<br />><br />> 2. The recent cover pricing issue - it appears as though every candidate was asked the same questions - "would you include one of the 112 contractors on a tender list - what would your recommendation to the client be?" My answer was, "if there were other contractors who had adequate resources and experience to carry out the job, then I would recommend they are not included". The chairman then asked, "is that a yes or a no". I again panicked as I didn't feel it was as straightforward as that but said "no, i would not recommend them" - i feel this is wrong looking back.<br />><br />> It would be useful to get your opinions on these although i understand you probably can't give your views on the way the questions were asked. I am very concerned that a lot of emphasis will be placed on these two questions as they are effectively Rules of Conduct questions. Is the 'rumour' true that Rules of conduct questions such as these are pass/fail questions?<br />><br />I did make a statement at the end of the interview stating that i knew why PI is required, I knew what the RICS requirements are for PI and if i was ever unsure if the work i was doing was covered by the firms policy, I would always check. I got no reaction from this and the feeling as I left the room was one of extreme disappointment.<br />> Well thats the story of the assessment ..... I am confident I have the ability but am worried these may have gone against me.<br />><br />> Out of interest, is it the chairman that makes the decisions or must it be a majority vote?Thanks again for your help with my critical analysis and I look forward to hearing your views.<br />><br />> Regards, Hello xxx Fingers crossed! Obviously difficult to give firm opinion, even if I had been in the room at the time. In the first question I think they were maybe trying to get you to expand and see if you understood the principle of vicarious liability. The general rule as I understand it is that both you and the employer or agent could be liable but the plaintiff will normally sue the party with the 'deepest pockets' but of course in Merritt Babb the question arose partly because the deepest pockets were no longer available.<br />I assumed there was a strong case for the cover pricing question hence my detailed note on the apcrics blog which I hope you read. I think a straight 'no' could be problemattic for 2 reasons. Firstly, all of the potential bidders may well be on this very comprehensive list of 112 contractors and secondly none of them have actually been found guilty of anything yet! I think they were probably hoping you would discuss in terms of ensuring you vetted the tender list and exercised due diligence possibly getting some form of undertaking from the contractors under consideration. The contractors' defence seems to rest partly on the fear that if they did not put in some bid they would not be considered for future projects so this would also be an issue you would address with the proposed short list. It is true that a lot of weight is put on the responses to Code of Conduct issues. I don't think either of the above would be seen as a pass/fail deal breaker but your responses would be taken in the context of the overall interview. Each assessor independently comes to an assessment of you before the chairman collates the overall opinion.In my experience as an assessor this is normally unanimous. Good luck.<br /> james@cpddirect.com</p>CPD Direct Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284289445906708593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42758718992069471.post-59020257207022473632008-05-15T08:32:00.000-07:002008-05-15T08:33:38.214-07:00Here are the experiences of David who sat the BC Interview last Friday. Good luck DEP<br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Thanks to everyone who has given me advice based on their knowledge and experience and to those who have posted advice about competencies and how to handle the assessment. Explanations and guidance from the RICS is valuable but there is nothing like hearing from someone else’s experience.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">In return and to give to others yet to go through their assessment here is my experience after Fridays assessment/ interview. First, the assessors I had were friendly and did put me at ease, I got a little more nervous again when the questions started but not as bad as I thought.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">The assessors seemed to want me to pass but were definitely making sure I knew my stuff, a pass was not a given and had to be earned.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">They thanked me for my presentation and complemented me on being good on my timing. Again making me feel at ease. This makes me glad I went over and over it in practice. I nearly went all the way through without looking at my notes but had them for reference just in case. I’d recommend you go over and over your presentation till you know it by heart and keep notes for just in case.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Questions can be about anything in your field. My being BCS I got two questions that seemed a little obscure but through plenty of swatting I think I was ok. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">I misinterpreted on a couple of questions but the assessors being reasonable prompted me that I was off track and clarified the questions which I then answered. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">If you get stuck or need clarification ask for it. I did on occasion but forgot to on two occasions hence having the assessors rephrasing questions when needed. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">On about 4 or 5 occasions the assessors stopped me and said that they had enough information from my answer and that I was going too deep. To ensure they had what they wanted, the correct answer, I asked if I had provided the information required or if I had misinterpreted the question. I think this is best to do in case you’re off track and the assessors then might think you don’t know the subject under question.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">If you get asked a question that you don’t know the full answer to then state you can’t say off the top of your head but that you know where to refer for the answer, and give the reference.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Thank the assessors at the end of your assessment/ interview, they have the rest of the day to work through, you can go home.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Something I didn’t know when I got to the assessment was the time slots and amount of APCers. I though I was the only 9.30am, and then there would be someone an hour or so later. Not so, there were 15 assessment rooms so plenty of colleagues in the same boat. Try and have a chat to them before you go in, it helps relax the nerves.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Also, my interview was in Leeds, I live in Wolvo so decided to go up the night before and avoid the hassle of traffic. Imagine the stress stuck in a jam getting wound up with time ticking by and you just want to get there with no hassle and time to spare? My advice, if you have any distance to travel, is to book into a hotel the night before. Spend some time on last minute presentation practice, last minute revision, get a good meal to treat yourself, then get a hot deep bath and bed early.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">One last thing, when you get the assessment dates for the various centres pick the one that is the furtherest away in time terms as your first option. This allows you more time for study. In order to get the centre I wanted I got my submission in as early as possible – my theory being first come first served and that I’d get the centre I wanted. I don’t know if this is the case in practice but it seemed to work for me. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">I hope there are one or two tips here for others that can help. To cover my self I had best say the above is based on my experience and can’t guarantee anything so no liabilities accepted.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Regards,</span></span></p> <span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Dep</span></span>CPD Direct Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284289445906708593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42758718992069471.post-39678637226471525402008-05-08T08:31:00.000-07:002008-05-08T08:33:24.603-07:00APC QUESTION TOPICSTHANKS TO ANDREW FOR FOLLOWING LIST OF TOPICS COVERED ON HIS RECENT ASSESSMENT- GOOD LUCK ANDREW<br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Dear James,<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p>I had my final assessment (BS) last week. While I remember, subjects on which I was questioned yesterday included (in no particular order):<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (subject of Critical Analysis)</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Japanese Knotweed</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Demolition and asbestos</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Sulphate in the ground and sulphate attack</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Building near trees - heave, root barriers, depth of foundations etc.</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Overshadowing and rights of light</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">DDA and design of accessible toilets/washing facilities<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Communication and consultation with disabled clients/owners</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">CDM Co-ordination</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Career to date and future CPD,</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">experience and types of projects</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Contracts and types of procurement</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Novation of consultants</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Surveyors acting as Contract Administrator</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Surveyors acting as Employers Agent</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Equipment required for a measured survey of a 1960’s style MOD type office block</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Personal and staff Health & Safety for survey operations</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Conduct and setting up in practice, PII (and basis for level of cover), EL, PL, CHP etc.</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p>Quite a bit of ground was covered – I thought you might be interested.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p>Phew!! – fingers crossed<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>Thanks for your help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"></span></span><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;" lang="EN-GB">Andrew McAllister</span></span></b>CPD Direct Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284289445906708593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42758718992069471.post-78849202648744410602008-04-24T07:55:00.000-07:002008-04-24T07:57:41.343-07:00Candidates and their solicitors<p>There is a thread currently running on the RICS forums on the pros and cons of taking your legal representative to the interview. I have no doubt that this would seriously hinder you chances of passing and below is my latest definitive posting on the above thread.</p><p><br /></p><p>'When I started reading this thread, I thought it was a bit 'tongue in cheek' hence my rather flippant earlier reply. Like myself, the 3 assessors are experienced professionals who are giving up their time to help ensure than only candidates who are professionally competent and a 'safe pair of hands', in the opinion of their peers, are sanctioned to go out in to the world as a representative of the RICS, the most prestigious organisation of its type in the world. </p><p>It is hard work for the assessors too and their 'reward' of expenses is often immediately donated to the Lionheart fund. The assessors take their role seriously and as a general rule are very good at what they do. This can be evidenced by the fact that assessors complete their assessment sheets individually before the Chair reviews the collective assessment and in my experience this is usually a unanimous verdict, either for or against. They are also trained to be supportive and friendly; although admittedly some are much better at this than others.<br /></p><p><br />If something goes wrong then the appeals system is in place to hear representations from the candidate and the Institution do take appeals seriously because the integrity of the process is vital to the Institution as well as to the candidate.</p>In this context the idea of taking a solicitor in to the interview is a complete non-starter. It will set the wrong tone for the interview right from the start ( and this is the most important part of any interview), discussion will be stilted rather than free flowing and the interview will probably be confrontational rather than a professional supportive assessment by your peers. As both an experienced assessor and an academic who taught interview psychology, please believe me when I say there is absolutely nothing good which will come of taking a solicitor in to the event.'CPD Direct Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284289445906708593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42758718992069471.post-82807381276011124452008-04-22T02:56:00.000-07:002008-04-22T03:13:48.189-07:00Be Prepared:PFI UpdateAs you may know I recommend that APC candidates have a stratgeic answer prepared for a range of questions or 'hot topics' related to their faculties and a common area is PFI/PPP for qs,bs, pm and the like.Below I give a comprehensive 3 part example answer to such a question. My 'model' answer to this common question has of course been affected by the recent launch of an investigation in to competition surrounding this process. I would suggest that you continue to use the same format but where I mention the inherent lack of competition in projects of this size you may wish to illustrate this with the above news as there are often a limited number of potential tenderers for some projects and of course these tenderers know each other and do talk through a variety of formal and informal channels. This 'chatter' will include such issues as how keen they are to secure contracts but of course these contractors are constantly monitoring the competition anyway and would be wary of'misinformation'. The process is also complicated by the belief among tenderers that if they do not put in a tender, even an uncompetitive one, this may affect the client's attitude to future projects. Be very wary of giving a 'tabloid' answer that implies the whole system is corrupt, especially as no contractors have actually been found guilty of anything, yet. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">How to answer questions. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Part 1<span style=""> </span>Define the question, what exactly is the assessor asking. Not all assessors are good at asking questions! Even well thought out questions can be ambiguous if the assessor is coming from a different background to the candidate. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Part 2<span style=""> </span>Answer the question</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style=""> </span>Explain the problem, legislation, professional technique etc.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Part 3<span style=""> </span>Professional opinion</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">‘I think this is a good think / effective / not the only way / new and requires some modification based on my experience/ appears to be working etc</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Assessors questions often follow general introductory route to find some common ground on which to go in depth.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Example<span style=""> </span>Q:<span style=""> </span>What is your opinion of PFI /PPP as a means of procuring developments?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Ask yourself what is the point of this question. To the ‘man in the street’ a typical answer would focus on the widespread criticism of the concept, anecdotal stories of high end-user costs of hospital car parking and the like or maybe the recent liquidation of Metronet. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Your focus must be on such issues as</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">What is it?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">What is it designed to achieve?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">What are the advantages / disadvantages / alternatives?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Does it achieve the client objectives?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">This is complicated and can only be successfully achieved if anticipated and practiced before the interview.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span lang="EN-US">Answer<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Part 1</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The Private Finance Initiative or as it is sometimes now called the Private Public Partnership is primarily a risk transfer mechanism whereby the risk of providing projects or services which would traditionally have been provided by the public sector is transferred to the private in return for a future anticipated income stream.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It has been mainly concerned with public facilities such as schools and hospitals and infrastructure and transport including motorways, railways and bridge construction. The systems tend to be characterised by an ongoing involvement in the operating of the facility by the private sector in the form of maintenance and facilities management roles.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Part 2</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">There are a number of ways in which this can be achieved and the risk ‘priced for’ will reflect the certainty of the future income entitlement.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Low risk example would be the provision of a number of schools for a local authority for which the private funder would receive an inflation-proof rental income from the authority typically for 20 or 25 years. This is relatively low risk and the tendering competitiveness should reflect this.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">For a scheme which depended on the use of the facility such as a motorway toll or the famous Skye road bridge PFI contract the income is uncertain and again this would be allowed for in the agreement and reflected in the competitiveness of the pricing mechanism.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Part 3</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It would appear that the system is here to stay and from what I have read there is little incentive to return to the old way of funding such schemes. There are many benefits and a major one is the fact that there is an inherent tendency to build quality and low running costs into the scheme, not for altruistic reasons, but because the contracting organization or consortium who are awarded the contract is generally also responsible for the maintenance and facilities management throughout the contracted period.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">There are problems of course. One example here is the very high cost of tendering. This has two main effects; firstly most contractors cannot afford the risk of tendering for such schemes thus inherently reducing competition within the system and excluding the majority of contractors from this potentially lucrative and expanding area of operation. Secondly the high tender cost has to be passed on to future schemes- many tendered schemes have never gone ahead even after reaching the preferred bidder stage.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It has certainly had some very adverse publicity and this is ongoing with the proposals for the London Underground and problems which are emerging on the FM side of completed projects but the best evidence of its benefits comes from a survey in 2005 in which over 85% of local authority clients were generally satisfied and thought it was their preferred procurement system for future projects.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">This is not put forward as ‘the perfect answer’ to this particular question but we would suggest that if representative of their performance on the day, it would represent a more than satisfactory response.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">IT WILL NOT ALWAYS BE APPROPRIATE OR EVEN POSSIBLE TO GO THROUGH A COMPLETE ANSWER IN THIS WAY, HOWEVER IF THE CANDIDATE HAS PREPARED ANSWERS TO A <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">RANGE</st1:PlaceType> OF <st1:placename st="on">QUESTIONS</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> IN THIS FORMAT HE OR SHE WILL BE ABLE TO BEGIN AT THE APPROPRIATE STAGE AND MOVE UP AND DOWN THE FORMAT.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">EXAMPLE USING THE PFI QUESTION ABOVE:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">AN ASSESSOR ASKS YOU WHETHER PFI WORKS? -</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">effectively straight in at Level 3.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">WRONG ANSWER:<span style=""> </span>YES<span style=""> </span>OR NO</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">RIGHT ANSWER: YOU SAY YES ON BALANCE AND BASE IT ON THE MAIN ELEMENTS OF PART 3 ABOVE . QUALIFY YOUR ANSWER BY BRINGING IN THE QUESTION OF RISK AND COMMENTING ON HOW THIS MAY IMPACT ON WHETHER IT ‘WORKS’ AND HOW THIS RISK IS REFLECTED IN THE COSTS.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">( Don’t forget to mention what the acronyms PFI or PPP actually stand for!)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">This approach is only possible if you have done your homework –<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Remember the adage: Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Practice this technique with a range of topical issues from your range of competencies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>CPD Direct Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284289445906708593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42758718992069471.post-9140045209142364592008-04-18T02:33:00.000-07:002008-04-18T02:34:48.089-07:00Please email contributions to james@cpddirect.comIf any readers wish to add content, useful links or the like to this forum, and I hope some of you do, email it to me at james@cpddirect.com and I will post it for you. I think I have to moderate it like this but it should be a quick service. Readers are particularly interested in hearing from other APC candidates who have recently been assessedCPD Direct Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284289445906708593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42758718992069471.post-29725234710743899192008-04-17T16:28:00.000-07:002008-04-17T16:30:36.926-07:00GovernanceMore on the new Governance Model. Hot off the RICS press today. Enjoy<br /><h2 style="font-weight: bold; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">A modern corporate governance structure -<br />helping to provide you with better value for money.</h2> <p>For RICS to be truly effective in today's business environment we need a clear and concise constitutional framework, which allows RICS the room to develop. </p> <p>At the forthcoming AGM, on 7 July 2008, you will be asked to vote to adopt this new proposed governance model. We thought we should contact you in advance of this to explain what the proposed changes mean and how they can benefit you and the profession.</p> <h2 style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 18px; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">This new, more forward-thinking approach will enable RICS to:</h2> <ul><li>Provide a gold standard service that we can all be proud of </li><li>Ensure that the obligations under the charter, particularly the duty to serve the public interest as well as members' interests, are met more effectively </li><li>Ensure that, at the highest level in the organisation, there is democracy and representation </li><li>Monitor and assess outcomes and performance in a more business-like way </li><li>Create clear lines of authority and accountability </li><li>Ensure informed and transparent decision making and risk management </li><li>Provide a greater level of flexibility - enabling the organisation to be more responsive and able to adapt to further change without major upheaval </li><li>Ultimately make the organisation more modern, business-like and cost effective in the future. </li></ul> <h1 style="font-size: 30px; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><strong>VOTE 'YES' TO MODERNISE<br />THE WAY RICS OPERATES</strong></h1>CPD Direct Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284289445906708593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42758718992069471.post-66237893861536949972008-04-17T09:48:00.001-07:002008-04-17T09:50:39.643-07:00Governance ModelAs delegates to the cpd courses will know, the RICS Rules of Conduct have been in play but the ByeLaws on which they are built have still been the pre 2007 set. The RICS now has a new proposed 'Governance Model' which is available for viewing on the RICS website today. Worth checking out if you still have an interview to look forward to.<br /><br />JamesCPD Direct Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284289445906708593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42758718992069471.post-73706463181143106532008-04-17T09:42:00.000-07:002008-04-17T09:46:00.579-07:00Interview ProcessInterview Process<br /><br />Not sure of the original source but here is an example of how the assessors may test your understanding of an area( in this case leases) and how you might persuade them you know what you are talking about. Also a bit on ethics.<br /><br /> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Question:<span style=""> </span>Why might the rent be depressed by a short lease term?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Answer:<span style=""> </span>Because tenants require security of tenure, and if, for example, the <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">majority of tenants require a lease of at least 5 years, the number of <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">tenants in the market for leases of 2 years or less will be relatively <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">limited. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Comment:<span style=""> </span>Relatively brief answers are being given to the assessors, but the assessor <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">is asking follow up questions. The next question shows how you can look <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">to give more information to the assessors – but ensuring that is good <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">quality, concise comment.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Question:<span style=""> </span>Back to the term of occupation then. What would be the position if <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">there were no express obligations in the lease?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Answer:<span style=""> </span>The unexpired lease term would be the assumed length of term of the <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">hypothetical tenancy. This reflects the ‘presumption of reality’ principle. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">However, the prospect of the renewal of the lease can also be reflected <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">insofar as it may weigh in the mind of the hypothetical tenant attracted <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">to the property. The prospect of lease renewal, and therefore continued <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">occupation, may, for example, be strong in the case of a modern office <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">block where the landlord is keen to retain tenants and optimise <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">investment value, but in the case of a warehouse within a development <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">site, the renewal is unlikely to be possible. Indeed, a short term to lease <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">expiry and enforced vacation would be unattractive to the market, and <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">could be a situation where rental value is depressed at rent review. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Comment:<span style=""> </span>Note how the provision of more information produces a better quality <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">answer. Much more could be said, but you must know when to bring <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">your answer to a close and await the next question. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Question:<span style=""> </span>What about the assumed length of term at lease renewal – what would <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">that be?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Answer:<span style=""> </span>It would reflect the length of the new lease. The court could grant a <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">maximum of 14 years, but a range of factors could determine the length <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">of the new lease, such as the term of the current lease, any aspirations <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">for the landlord to redevelop the property and consequently require a <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">break clause, and the need for certainty for the tenant.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Question:<span style=""> </span>Just remind me what the 21 year rule states.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Answer:<span style=""> </span>The value of improvements cannot be taken into account at lease <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">renewal if they were undertaken during the current lease (whatever its length), <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">or where the improvements were undertaken during the 21 years prior to the <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">application for a new tenancy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Question:<span style=""> </span>While we are on improvements, what would be basis of compensation <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">for a tenant who has undertaken improvements, and is leaving the <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">property?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Answer:<span style=""> </span>It would be the increase in the value of the property as a result of the <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">improvements, or the cost of undertaking the works today, whichever <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">the lower?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Question:<span style=""> </span>Just finally before I hand over to the chairman, who can serve an interim <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">rent notice – the landlord, the tenant or both?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Answer:<span style=""> </span>Only the landlord.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;" align="left"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;" lang="EN-GB">Assessor<o:p></o:p></span></i></h4> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">We’ll ask you a bit more on rent review later, but in examining the main comparable, the rent review of the nearby property shown on your plan, tell me how you went about obtaining the information, and also how you analysed the transaction.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <h4 style="text-align: left;" align="left"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;" lang="EN-GB">Candidate<o:p></o:p></span></i></h4> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">When I first inspected the property, I also walked the high street and other retailing areas looking for boards. I contacted these agents, and also others covering the area. I was fortunate to be provided good quality information by the agent undertaking the rent review, which included areas of the property, including zoning breakdown, the effective date/valuation date, the new rent and the previous rent (and effective dates), the rent review frequency, the length of the lease and term to be assumed for the rent review, availability of break provisions, rent review assumptions, repair provisions, the user clause, alienation provisions and insurance provisions. All these factors can affect rental value, but there needs to be something significant in order to make it a particular point in negotiations. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <h4 style="text-align: left;" align="left"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;" lang="EN-GB">Assessor<o:p></o:p></span></i></h4> <h5 style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;" lang="EN-GB">What were the main negotiating issues then?<o:p></o:p></span></h5> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Candidate<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">The effective date of the subject review was four months after that of the comparable property, and the landlord’s agent felt that an uplift should be reflected. I resisted this, requesting that the landlord’s agent provided evidence. Another difference was that the subject property had a five year rent review pattern, whereas the comparable was of only three years. The landlord’s agent maintained that a five year period was more valuable to a tenant than a three year period, particularly in market conditions where values are rising strongly. I pointed out that inflation was currently low, economic conditions relatively stable, and that although there had been rental growth over the last five or so years, this largely reflected the market’s emergence from recession, and also that rental growth in retail rents was not expected to be substantial over the next few years – as indicated in the research of a large national practice. Another thing I checked initially was whether the rent could go up or down at review. For both leases it was upwards only. I held my ground, and agreed a rent of £25 per sq. ft. zone A, against £24.50 payable for the other property.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Professional ethics for the APC interview<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Acting outside principal employment<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 8pt;" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Consider the question, ‘What would you do if a friend asked you to act on his behalf in respect of a rent review on his shop/the securing of planning permission for a house on his large garden/the drawing of plans for house/the arrangement of tenders/the monitoring of works?’ <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">The question assumes that you are working for a firm, rather than being self-employed, and that the friend is seeking your assistance on an informal basis. You would, of course, have to decline to act for the friend. Remember that you do not hold professional indemnity insurance. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Although declining to act would be the correct answer in the APC interview, an assessor could still ask a private practice surveyor, ‘What about the opportunity to secure fee income for your practice - would you turn it down because the potential client is your friend?’ <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">This may appear to be a rather stern approach by the assessor, but it is giving you the opportunity to acknowledge the prospect of securing an instruction for your practice, and ideally contributing further information to the assessors. You may say that you would invite the friend into the office to discuss a formal instruction. An assessor might say, ‘Is there anything to stop you discussing matters in the pub or in your home?’ You may say that there is not, but that you would just prefer to keep matters on a more professional footing. You may add that you would ensure that a colleague quoted fees bearing in mind your friend was the client. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Professional ethics is an area where assessors can bounce questions around in order to test a candidate’s understanding. Candidates should not feel things are not going their way in the interview in respect of professional ethics because assessors appear to be ‘moving the goal posts’.<o:p></o:p></span></p> JamesCPD Direct Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284289445906708593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42758718992069471.post-63970069457536124722008-04-17T09:35:00.000-07:002008-04-17T09:39:40.063-07:00Hello againHi APC sufferers and survivors alike.<br /><br />Apologies for the delay in getting the blog active. Google have some sort of robot which tries to detect SPAM blogs and apparently mine at first appeared to fall in to that category. They said they would free it up in 4 days and 3 weeks later they have given it the all clear.<br /><br />Please contribute your experiences or concerns and make it a useful APC resource, for free. You have to give email and a password to Log In but thats all there is to it, I believe.<br /><br />JamesCPD Direct Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284289445906708593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42758718992069471.post-53127992787107988562008-03-23T06:31:00.000-07:002008-03-23T06:49:56.678-07:00Mode PresentationHere is a recent presentation by a QS candidate with some comments by myself. Good example of how to cover all the bases and would be very effective if used in combination with a FLIP CHART which had a good picture of the propject during the introduction. Then there should be a series of mainly text flip charts comprising KEY ISSUES, MORE DETAIL ON THE KEY ISSUE OF TIME, PROCUREMENT OPTIONS CONSIDERED, OPTIONS REJECTED, OPTION CHOSEN, CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF OUTCOME, REFLECTIVE ANALYSIS ( This sections should be all about YOU rather than the job. Include lessons learned, show some development and talk about those transferrable skills you are claiming as your own such as teamwork and negotiation. <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="">PRESENTATION<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">THANK YOU MR CHAIRMAN MY NAME IS xxxxxxxxxxx AND I AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH xxxxxxxxxxx. THE PROJECT I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT TO YOU WAS A SUBJECT OF A BUILDING INSURANCE CLAIM. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">PERMISSION HAS BEEN SOUGHT FROM THE EMPLOYER TO USE THE INFORMATION. I WOULD ASK THE PANEL TO RESPECT THE EMPLOYER'S REQUEST FOR THE ANALYSIS TO BE USED ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF MY ASSESSMENT.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF DEMOLITION AND RECONSTRUCTION WORKS TO TWO PRIVATE SEMI-DETACHED OWNER-OCCUPIED BUNGALOWS BUILT AROUND 1960 AND LOCATED AT xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I HAVE CHOSEN TO PRESENT THIS PROJECT BECAUSE OF MY EXTENSIVE INVOLVEMENT WITH IT FROM INCEPTION TO COMPLETION. THE PROJECT WAS A VERY GOOD VEHICLE TO DEMONSTRATE MY SKILLS IN NEGOTIATION, COST PLANNING AND COST CONTROL. THE CONTRACTUAL AND OTHER ISSUES RAISED DURING THE COURSE OF THE PROJECT SERVED TO BOTH SUPPLEMENT AND EXPAND MY OWN EXPERIENCE OF QUANTITY SURVEYING PRACTICE.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">IN VIEW OF THE TIME CONTRAINTS MY PRESENTATION WILL DEAL WITH ONE OF THE FOUR KEY ISSUES OUTLINED IN MY CRITICAL ANALYSIS REPORT. I HOPE TO DEMONSTRATE MY ABLITY TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WHILE WORKING WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND SHOW YOU THAT I HAVE THE TECHNICAL SKILL AND PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE REQUIRED BY THE PROFESSIONAL BODY.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">PHOTOGRAPH ON FLIP CHART THROUHOUT THE INTRODUCTION<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="">MAIN BODY<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">KEY ISSUES list these on the next chart<span style=""> </span>and when you read through them tell us briefly why each one was key . this is important to remind us of the big picture. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">THE KEY ISSUES WHICH I DEALT WITH IN MY CRITICAL ANALYSIS ARE:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">TIME<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">COST CERTAINTY<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">APPOINTMENT OF THE MAIN CONTRACTOR<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">APPOINTMENT OF SUBCONTRACTOR<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">THE KEY ISSUE I AM GOING TO DEAL WITH IN DETAIL IS THE TIME.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">PRIOR TO MY INVOLVEMENT THE PROJECT HAD BEEN TENDERED FOR AND A CONTRCTOR HAD BEEN APPOINTED. IT SUBSEQUENTLY TURNED OUT THAT THE APPOINTED CONTRACTOR COULD NOT SUPPLY SATISFACTORY CONSTRUCTION PHASE HEALTH & SAFETY PLAN, THEREFORE HIS APPOINTMENT WAS TERMINATED. Comment- tell us briefly why the contractor let this contract go after going to the trouble and expense of tendering just for the want of a h&s plan <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Also make sure you are fully aware of the contractual basis for determination and appointment of new contractor<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">IT WAS AT THIS STAGE THAT I WAS INVOLVED AND WAS GIVEN THE INSTRUCTION TO APPOINT A SUITABLE CONTRACTOR WITHIN FIVE WEEKS OF THE INSTRUCTION. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">New flip chart <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">THE FACT THAT THE BUILDINGS WOULD BE DEMOLISHED MADE IT APPARENT THAT AN ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENT HAD TO BE MADE TO ACCOMMODATE THE POLICYHOLDERS TEMPORARILY ELSEWHERE FOR THE DURATION OF THE CONTRACT AND THE PAYMENT FOR THE ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION WOULD BE MADE BY THE INSURER. THAT MEANT THAT TIME OVERRUN ON THE PROJECT WOULD INCREASE THE COST OF ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION THEREBY INCREASING THE TOTAL COST SPENT ON THE CLAIM AS A WHOLE.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">CHOOSING THE CORRECT PROCUREMENT STRATEGY IS A KEY TO MEETING PROJECT OBJECTIVES. I REALISED THAT VARIOUS CONTRACT STRATEGIES WILL DELIVER PROJECT OBJECTIVES IN DIFFERENT WAYS. THEREFORE, IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE TIME RELATED KEY ISSUE ON THE PROJECT, I KNEW THAT CHOOSING THE <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">RIGHT PROCUREMENT ROUTE</st1:address></st1:Street> WAS CRITICAL TO MEETING THE PROJECT OBJECTIVE IN TERMS OF TIMELY DELIVERY.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="">THE MAIN PROCUREMENT STRATEGIES WHICH I CONSIDERED WERE AS FOLLOWS;<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">A COST REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACT, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">TRADITIONAL LUMP SUM CONTRACT, AND <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">NEGOTIATED CONTRACT.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">A COST REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACTS WAS REJECTED BECAUSE THE COST OF THE WORK CAN <o:p></o:p> ONLY BE DETERMINED ON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, AS COST CERTAINTY WAS ONE OF <o:p></o:p>THE KEY ISSUES ON THE PROJECT.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">TRADITIONAL LUMP SUM CONTRACTS - THIS ALLOWS A CONTRACT SUM TO BE DETERMINED <o:p></o:p>BEFORE CONSTRUCTION STARTS. THE CONTRACT PROVIDES FOR CONTROL OF THE COST OF <o:p></o:p>VARIATIONS. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE <st1:place st="on">CHOSEN</st1:place> PROCUREMENT STRATEGY FOR THE <o:p></o:p>PROJECT BEARING IN MIND THAT THE DESIGN HAD BEEN COMPLETED, BUT THIS WOULD <o:p></o:p>NORMALLY REQUIRE THE PREPARATION OF DETAILED BILL OF QUANTITY FOR PRICING <o:p></o:p>PURPOSEs, THIS WAS CONSIDERED TIME CONSUMING, DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS ON THE <o:p></o:p>PROJECT, THEREFORE THE OPTION WAS REJECTED.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">NEGOTIATED CONTRACT - THIS METHOD OF CONTRACTOR SELECTION INVOLVES THE <o:p></o:p><br />AGREEMENT OF A TENDER SUM WITH A SINGLE CONTRACTING ORGANISATION. ONCE THE <o:p></o:p> DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN PREPARED, THE CONTRACTOR PRICES THEM. THEN THE PQS AND THE CONTRACTOR QS ARRANGE A MEETING TO DISCUSS THE QUERIES RAISED BY THE PQS <o:p></o:p> AND THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS BEGINS. IT ALSO GIVES THE <st1:place st="on">OPPORTUNITY</st1:place> FOR THE <o:p></o:p>CONTRACTOR TO SUGGEST MORE ECONOMICAL OR BUILDABLE WAYS TO ACHIEVE THE <o:p></o:p>CLIENT'S OBJECTIVES. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">THIS PROCUREMENT STRATEGY WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE IT WAS MORE LIKELY TO ACHIEVE THE PROJECT OBJECTIVES THAN THE OTHER OPTIONS ALREADY CONSIDERED. THIS WAS BECAUSE IT SATISFIED THE FUNDER'S NEEDS BEST IN TERMS OF TIME AND COST CERTAINTY AND IT WAS THE ONLY PROCUREMENT STRATEGY WHICH ALLOWED EARLY START ON SITE. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">It would be good if you could also give some comment on the relative typical costs of a negotiated project for the same work at competitive tender. It would only be your professional opinion but then again that is what we want to know about. On balance I think we can assume that the negotiated price would be more expensive ( how much -as the assessor will probably ask you? ) but of course your point will be that this will be saved in decanting costs plus the benefits to the insurance company of having ‘happy customers’<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">HAVING DECIDED ON THE <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">PROCUREMENT ROUTE</st1:address></st1:Street> SUITABLE FOR THE PROJECT, I LISTED THREE CONTRACTORS THAT I KNEW WERE CAPABLE OF EXECUTING THE PROJECT IN TERMS OF TECHNICAL ABILITY AND RESOURCES. ENQUIRIES WERE MADE AND I SELECTED ONE OF THE CONTRACTORS ON MY LIST THAT GAVE ME THE SHORTEST LEAD-IN TIME. THE SUCCESSFUL CONTRACTOR HAS A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH MY EMPLOYER AND HE HAS WIDE EXPERIENCE OF THIS TYPE OF WORK, THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA ALSO FAVOURED THE CHOSEN CONTRACTOR AS ONE OF THE FACTORS WHICH CAN DELAY THE PROGRESS OF WORK WAS SHORTAGE OF LABOUR OR THE EASE OF GETTING MATERIALS TO SITE, ALL THESE FACTORS WERE GIVEN DUE CONSIDERATION PRIOR TO THE SELECTION OF THE MAIN CONTRACTOR. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">THE MAIN CONTRACTOR OFFERED TO CARRY OUT THE WORKS FOR THE SUM OF £245,430.00. I CONSIDERED THAT THE MAIN CONTRACTOR HAD OVERSTATED THE CONTRACT, AS HIS ESTIMATE WAS 16.5% MORE THAN MY PRE CONTRACT ESTIMATE. Briefly tell us a little about this, based figures on what? Office database or external sources, did you use I.T? THIS NOW FORMED THE BASIS OF OUR NEGOTIATION MEETING, WHICH WAS HELD ONE WEEK AFTER THE ESTIMATE WAS RECEIVED. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">DURING THE MEETING, IT WAS ESTABLISHED THAT THE CONTRACTOR HAD ALLOWED VARYING PERCENTAGES FOR ATTENDANCE ON SUBCONTRACTORS, THIS RANGED FROM 50 - 60%. IT AFFECTED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS;<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; color: black;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">DEMOLITIONS,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; color: black;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">PILING/FOUNDATIONS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; color: black;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">FIRST FIX M&E<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; color: black;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">SECOND FIX M&E<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">THE CONTRACTOR'S ARGUMENT FOR THE HIGHER PERCENTAGE FOR ATTENDANCE ON SUBCONTRACTORS WAS THAT THEY HAD NO ENOUGH TIME TO PREPARE THE ESTIMATE AND OBTAINED COMPETITIVE TENDER FROM SUBCONTRACTOR FURTHERMORE THEY COULD SEE THE RISK OF RUNNING THE PROJECT AT A LOSS IF CARE WAS NOT TAKEN. I REFERRED THE CONTRACTOR BACK TO SOME OF THE PROJECT HE HAD EXECUTED FOR MY EMPLOYER IN THE PAST, WHICH ONLY ALLOWED 15% UPLIFT FOR ATTENDANCE ON SUBCONTRACTOR. THE CONTRACTOR AGREED TO STICK WITH 15% UPLIFT AS AGAINST THE 50% HE QUOTED.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">THE NEXT ITEM TO BE CONSIDERED WAS BRICKWORK, THIS INCLUDED ALL NECESSARY INSULATION. PRIOR TO THE MEETING I HAD A DISCUSSION WITH THE DESIGN TEAM TO SEE IF THE SPECIFICATION FOR INTERNAL BRICKWORK COULD BE CHANGED TO THERMAL BLOCKS, AS THIS WOULD CONSTITUTE A SAVING ON INSULATION. THE POSSIBILITY WAS CHECKED AND THIS WAS PRESENTED TO THE CONTRACTOR AND REDUCED THE CONTRACTOR'S ESTIMATE FROM £31,230.00 TO £26,130.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN TO THE AMOUNT ALLOCATED FOR PRELIMINARIES WITHIN THE CONTRACTOR'S ESTIMATE. A SUM OF £947.96/WEEK WAS ALLOCATED, THIS WAS CONSIDERED EXCESSIVE. I ASKED THE CONTRACTOR TO ITEMISE ALL THE PRELIMINARY WORKS HE HAD INCLUDED IN HIS ESTIMATE, WE JOINTLY PRICED THIS UP AND CAME TO AN AGREED COST OF £670.71/WEEK.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">THE LAST ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION WERE PROVISIONAL SUMS ON BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND FIRE & SURROUND. BEARING IN MIND THAT IT WAS AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND THE POLICYHOLDER SHOULD BE PUT BACK IN THE SAME FINANCIAL POSITION HE HAD BEEN PRIOR TO THE DAMAGE, THEREFORE THE INSURER WAS NOT LIABLE TO RENEW THE KITCHEN, BATHROOM OR FIREPLACE. THEREFORE THE EXISTING UNITS SHOULD BE CAREFULLY REMOVED, STORED AND REFITTED. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">AT THE END OF THE MEETING THE CONTRACT SUM WAS AGREED IN THE SUM OF £205,000.00 THIS INCLUDED £6,000.00 FOR CONTINGENCY.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;">This section is very good and again could be enhanced by use of flip chart showing how you built up the negotiated savings to bring the cost in to line with your estimate<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>CRITICAL APPRAISAL<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">MY CLOSE INVOLVEMENT WITH THE CLIENT GAVE ME AN INSIGHT INTO AN <o:p></o:p><br />OWNER-OCCUPIER'S PRIORITIES ON A PROJECT. I LEARNED THAT LISTENING TO THE CLIENT <o:p></o:p> AND BEING CONSTANTLY AWARE OF HIS OBJECTIVES WAS CRITICAL TO ME PROVIDING A <o:p></o:p>QUALITY SERVICE TAILORED TO HIS NEEDS. THE PROJECT WAS CONSIDERED A SUCCESS AS <o:p></o:p>THE WORKS WAS COMPLETED WITHIN THE REVISED PROGRAMME AND TO THE <o:p></o:p>POLICYHOLDER'S REQUIRED QUALITY. ALTHOUGH THE FINAL PROJECT COST, HOWEVER, <o:p></o:p>WAS OVER RUN BY 10.87%, THIS WAS DUE TO UNFORESEEN GROUND CONDITION WHICH ALSO <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">INCREASED THE CONTRACT DURATION BY SIX WEEKS, THE VARIATIONS TO THE CONTRACT <o:p></o:p>WERE SEEN AS INEVITABLE BUT THIS WAS CONTROLLED TO ITS NEAREST MINIMUM.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> REFLECTION</o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">MY ESTIMATING AND IT SKILLS HAVE BEEN ENHANCED AS A RESULT OF MY INVOLVEMENT IN <o:p></o:p>THIS PROJECT. MY PROFESSIONAL SKILLS INCLUDING COST CONTROL TEAMWORKAND NEGOTIATION <o:p></o:p> WERE KEY TO MEETING THE FUNDER'S PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF TIMELY DELIVERY AND <o:p></o:p> COST CERTAINTY. DUE TO THE SUCCESS OF MY NEGOTIATION ON THIS PROJECT I HAVE BEEN <o:p></o:p>GIVEN THE <st1:place st="on">OPPORTUNITY</st1:place> TO NEGOTIATE FINAL ACCOUNT WITH FIVE CONTRACTORS WHO <o:p></o:p><br />CARRIED OUT FLOOD REINSTATEMENT FOR US IN <st1:place st="on">CARLISLE</st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">THE OUTCOME OF THIS PROJECT HAVE SHOWED ME THAT WHILE A SITUATION MAY SEEM <o:p></o:p>PROBLEMATIC THERE IS USUALLY A WAY TO ACHIEVE YOUR OUTCOME BY TAKING AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH AND THROUGH TEAMWORK. IT ALSO BROUGHT HOME THE <o:p></o:p>NECESSITY OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ALL CONSTRUCTION TEAM MEMBERS AND IN <o:p></o:p> PARTICULAR WITH YOUR CLIENT.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME - I WILL NOW BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>CPD Direct Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284289445906708593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42758718992069471.post-9547997792195537302008-03-22T11:54:00.000-07:002008-03-22T12:05:44.202-07:00APC What's that all about?<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;">Welcome to the latest wheeze to help APC candidates get free help and support from their 'betters', their peers and fellow sufferers. I will be posting help and information on a regular basis but obviously this will only be a success if the 'readers' can also contribute. I suggest that for those about to be assessed it would be helpful to consider likely hot topics for questions and possible answers. Here is a list sent to me today by Liam Hawes who is in commercial property and being assessed shortly. Any additions or even answers to potential questions on these. </span></span><br /><div><span class="918094012-22032008"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Empty Rates Relief</span></span></div> <div><span class="918094012-22032008"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Energy performance certificates</span></span></div> <div><span class="918094012-22032008"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Sustainability</span></span></div> <div><span class="918094012-22032008"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Service Charge code of practice</span></span></div> <div><span class="918094012-22032008"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Red book updates</span></span></div> <div><span class="918094012-22032008"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Asbestos regulations</span></span></div> <div><span class="918094012-22032008"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Fire safety</span></span></div> <div><span class="918094012-22032008"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">DDA</span></span></div> <div><span class="918094012-22032008"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Code of measuring practice</span></span></div> <div><span class="918094012-22032008"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Code for leasing business premises</span></span></div> <div><span class="918094012-22032008"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">money laundering</span></span></div> <div><span class="918094012-22032008"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Credit crunch</span></span></div> <div><span class="918094012-22032008"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">REITs James<br /></span></span></div>CPD Direct Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284289445906708593noreply@blogger.com0