1. 1
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE BUILDING & DESIGN
BACHELOR OF QUANTITY SURVEYING (HONOURS)
MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
MGT60203
GROUP MEMBERS:
NO. NAME STUDENT ID
1 HONG LI VIAN 0327007
2 NICOLE THAIN HUEY WEI 0325697
3 LEE LIN HUI 0322797
4 CHAN WEI LUN 0326117
5 FONG KAH YAN 0322815
6 HENG CHUN HUI 0329804
LECTURER: MS TAY SHIR MEN
2. 2
CONTENT
No Topic Pages
1. Organization
i. Company Profile
ii. Vision
iii. Mission
iv. Value statement
v. Organizational goals
a. Short-term goals
b. Mid-term goals
c. Long-term goals
vi. Organizational Culture
vii. SWOT Analysis
viii. Strategic Planning
3-9
2. Organizational Structure
i. Organizational Chart
ii. Job Descriptions
10-13
3. DevelopmentPlan
i. SelectionCriteria
ii. Recruitment Advertisement
iii. Interview Activity I
iv. Interview Activity II
v. Interview Activity III
14-25
4. Information Management
Information Technology
i. BIM
ii. Cloud computing
iii. Computeraided designand
visualization
iv. ProjectManagement Software
Competitive Advantage
26-33
5. References
34-35
3. 3
COMPANY PROFILE
Modest Homes Sdn. Bhd. is a construction company that specializes in building houses.
It was setup in 2017, headquartered in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Our company is started
by 6 partners who are Hong Li Vian, Nicole Thain, Lee Lin Hui, Fong Kah Yan, Heng
Jun Hui and Chan Wei Lun, each with more than 10 years’ experience in the
construction industry. Our paid up capital is RM10 million.
Our company aims to provide houses with good quality and comfort, but with affordable
prices to the customers. We strive for excellence performance in all aspects of our
operations which include providing outstanding value for money, products and services
that would satisfy our customers and to be the leading property development company.
We will be able to provide our clients the certainty and comfort of knowing that their
projects are in capable and experienced hands. These developments will complement
our vision, mission and core values. This will simultaneously let us to be one of the most
successful company in Malaysia and beyond with corresponding efficiency and
trustworthiness.
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OUR VISION
To be a progressive property developer that delivers the highest standards of
performance in all our ventures through the provision of superior value in design, quality
products and services.
OUR MISSION
● We serve our customer diligently in meeting their requirements and delivering
value for their investment. We continuously learn and observe new trends and
customer requirements.
● We focus on the completion, timely delivery, working within budget and
exceeding client’s satisfaction.
● To ensure the longevity of our company through repeated and referral business
by dynamic teamwork of professionals and innovative technology in dealings with
property development and construction industrial related businesses.
● Adding values to our resources and processes with innovative technology.
● We recruit the best employees, provide them with training and development
opportunities, and empower them to ensure that we are best-in-class in our
business activities.
● We create a great place to work where people are inspired every day.
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OUR CORE VALUE
● INTEGRITY
We are committed to be fair, honest, ethical, responsible and accountable in all our
interactions.
● CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
We strive to understand customer requirements and are responsive to our customer’s
needs to create an invaluable investment for them.
● RESPECT
We treat each other with respect, and 5apitaliz that we can truly succeed as a team.
● QUALITY
We are dedicated to deliver quality products for our customers and strive for continuous
improvements.
● INNOVATION
We believe in sustained improvements and always seek for new and innovative ideas
through creating thinking.
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OUR GOALS
SHORT TERM GOALS
● To penetrate the local housing market where our products will be acceptable to
the general public
● Develop strong partnership with other private companies and government
sectors
MID TERM GOALS
● Continue deliver high quality product at an affordable price to ensure the
continual growth of the company
● To build a good reputation in the field of real estate and property management
and become a key player in the industry.
LONG TERM GOALS
● To be the top company in Malaysia who makes high quality product at an
effective price that catered for all sections of the public
● Ensure adequate return to shareholder’s investment
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ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
1. Transparency
We maintain a healthy degree of openness while employees following the proper
channel of communication. Employees are encouraged to share their thoughts to
everyone even the CEO as good decision can come from anywhere. We believe that
everyone but not only the senior person in a company have the potential to contribute to
the company’ success. We will improve only when employees are given the freedom to
think and speak that isn’t ruled by a hierarchy. Therefore, we give authority to every
employee the opportunity in decision making; involving lower level management in
meeting to give their own opinions.
2. Works as a team
Everyone should work hard together as a team rather than a bunch of individuals as it is
bad when individuals see themselves as separate from each other. Productivity will
reduce when employees work in an unpleasant environment without team spirit.
Communication is important as we can exchange knowledge, idea, raise question and
offer helps through communication. Everyone get rewards together after a project done
so it doesn’t matter who get credit for what so everyone accomplish everything together.
Teams work best when everyone is on board, encourage each other, communicate
regularly and playing together. Teams are the best and most efficient to get things done.
3. Flexible working hours
We allow our employees to have flexible working hours as long as they work for 35
hours in a week and manage to finish their work on time. We understand that it is
difficult for some of them to reach the office on time as there are traffic jam problem. As
I have mentioned above, happiness mean more productivity. Employees will be happier
when they are not working under a stress situation where they are controlled by a
framed schedule.
4. Annual company trip
We will have a trip to overseas every year as a reward to our employees. Having an
annual trip not only helps to enhance the relationship between colleagues but also can
gain knowledge. During the trip, we can have the chance to explore the world, see how
people in other countries build their houses, exchange knowledge and technologies with
them as seeing something for oneself is better than hearing from others. We hope to
increase the opportunity for our employees to learn new techniques and methods of
construction.
5. Appreciation activities
To ensure that each of our valued workers feel appreciated, we will customize rewards
according to their own ideas. Gather a few employees’ activity ideas in advance and
then let them select the one they would like to do the most. By showing appreciation to
our employees on a regular basis (e.g.: after every project done), we can retain more of
our talent and foster an environment of excellence since they will have passion in their
job.
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STRATEGIC PLANNING
Purpose
To be a progressive property developer that delivers the highest
standards of performance in all our ventures through the provision of
superior value in design, quality products and services.
Department Strategies Tactics
Finance and
Administration
Department
Set a financial budget to
prevent the company’s
expenses exceed the cost
limits
Invest in specialized budgeting
software to simplify
your budgeting process and
to achieve a better quality of
budgeting results
Human Resources
Department
Hire right person and
coordinate workforce that
best suit the
talents of person
Design and implement interview
activities that can test the
personality of a person
Sales and
Marketing
Department
Reach out to customer,
investor and the community
to create a positive image for
the company and increase
profitability
Purchase ad space or having
company profiled in the local
newspaper to enhance brand
exposure and credibility.
Project
Department
Provide the best product and
service to customer
By using softwares such as
AutoCad, BIM to help improve
work productivity and
performance.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Director
The top level of management of an organization, director which is also known as Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) plays the most important role in a company. Directors must act
lawfully and honestly in making decisions for the benefits of the company and its
members.
Their job scopes include:-
● Recruit, supervise, retaining, evaluate and compensate the general manager and
protect the organization’s asset.
● Determine the goals to achieve and develop strategies for the entire
organization.
● Setting company policies.
● Responsible in delivering the company policies and legal guidelines to all levels
of management and ensure that everyone followed at all times.
● Act as the public speaker and public relations representative for the company to
strengthen its profile.
General Manager
General Managers are the one that bears a lot of work load on their shoulder as they
are in the middle level of management. The reason being they connect the relationship
of first line managers with directors. For our company, he or she has to
● Lead, supervise and motivate the employees under the four departments which
are Finance and Administration department, Project department, Human
Resources department and Sales and Marketing department.
● Responsible in setting objectives for all the departments to follow based on the
top management’s goals
● Ensure that everyone is working in the right track and up to the best standard.
● Setting a target date when their jobs have to be completed for each department.
● Work closely in a professional manner with tenants, their subcontractors, and
coordinators to inquire their requirement
● Ensure the projects that their company handling are compliance with the local
regulations and liaise with authorities in regards to regulatory and property
matters.
● Develop strategic plan by capitalizing on technological and financial opportunities
by assumptions or practical recommendations.
Human resources department
The department only focus on the management of the human resources within an
organization; they are responsible to maximize the employee performance in the way to
meet the company’s strategic objectives. They handle matters like:-
● Recruiting, screening, interviewing and placing worker
● Hire new employee that fit their company and conduct orientation for them
● Solve problems between management and employees
● Reward employees based on their performances
● Provide some in-training activities for the employees
● Strengthen the relationships between the 4 departments
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Finance and administration department
Basically, there are two subordinates in finance and admin department for our company
which one of them is admin clerk while another one is accountant. The distribution of
salary to employees is the responsibility of this department as they know the rate of
income tax imposed by the government. Other than that, they handle personnel
administration such as attendance, leaves and also employee benefits.
Administrative work requires specialized knowledge in more than one field, thus
normally an admin clerk:-
● Has expertise in data collection, analysis, interpretation and preparing document.
● Arrange meeting according to the different schedule of other department.
● Answering multi-line phone calls then convert to the line of other department.
● Files reports once they are done preparing by other departments
● Solve the complaints or requests from clients effectively.
● Able to work without supervision and has advanced planning capabilities.
● Communicate with project department to get information about the quantity of
material to purchase
● Contact supplier through email or phone calls
An accountant usually has a variety of administrative roles to do with the company’s
operation. They have the responsibilities:-
● To collect financial data followed by putting them into report form.
● To prepare balance sheet and profit and loss account of the company, providing
management information such as asset, liability, income, liability and wages.
● To facilitate the decision making process and supervise the payroll, purchasing
and accounts payable
● To set a financial budget to prevent their company’s expenses exceed the cost
limits
● To recommend some solutions when the company is facing financial problems by
analyzing accounting options.
Sales and marketing department
The functions of this department are to increase the market share of our company, bring
more revenue for the company and contribute to the growth of company.
The marketing team should:-
● Plan and promote the campaigns of company in order to generate interest of
customer in a product or service of our company
● Make sure that the marketing activity fits with the marketing strategy.
For the sales team, they can:-
● Reach out to customer, investor and the community to create a positive image for
the company.
● Attend meetings with customer alongside with sales consultant for a successful
transaction.
● Establish sales and marketing KPI’s and ensuring that they are on track of
achieving KPI’s.
13. 13
Project department
In project department, we have safety and health officer (SHO), quantity surveyor and
project engineer. They are the one who directly responsible for the final products of the
construction of a building. They have strong technical expertise about how a building is
constructed. They are good in self-management but also have good teamwork and
communication competencies at the same time.
Job scopes of safety and health officer (SHO):-
● Carry out investigations for the purpose of regulating, controlling and ensuring
that the construction materials and method compliances with the requirements of
The Workplace Safety and Health Act.
● Prepare staff training courses for the workers working at the site.
Job scopes of Site safety supervisor:-
● Acts as the intermediate between SHO and workers at the site
● Check day-to-day progress at the site, maintaining quality control procedures,
motivating workforce and solving problem that occurred on site.
Job scopes of Quantity surveyor:-
● Prepare tender and contract documents including Bill of Quantities.
● Assists in establishing a client’s requirements and undertakes feasibility studies.
● Control the cost of construction in accordance to the set out budget.
● Provide advice on contractual claims and arrange payment.
Job scopes of civil engineer:-
● Undertake technical and feasibility studies while doing survey of the condition of
the area.
● Design structure that can withstand all weather conditions and coordinate with
the relevant parties.
● Doing complex calculations and develop detailed designs.·
Job scopes of electrical engineer:-
● Evaluate electrical systems, products and components to be used in a building
● Test the finished products of electrical components to ensure that they are
working properly.
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DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Selection Criteria
As our company strive to be the most successful construction company in the industry,
we certainly know that creating an 14apitalize14n14l culture is important in the
14apitalize14n; to develop the culture that fosters the efficiency and efficiency of work,
and insists on the core principles of professional ethics and values. Therefore, it is
essential that corporate recruitment and employment shall be conducted in accordance
with the listed criteria as guideline for the organization towards the recognized path of
excellence.
Hence, our company – Modest Homes Sdn. Bhd. has taken action to source for new
management trainees through recruitment programme with a series of interview
activities; that considering the candidate’s qualification, knowledge about the industry
and also the different qualities and skills specialized in Building Information Material
(BIM) which emphasized in the company’s core competencies.
The trainee recruitment programme which falls under the Human Resource and Project
department. For candidates who are trainee or graduate, we will provide a
comprehensive training programme that gives a thorough introduction to the
construction industry, as well as development professional skills for their future career.
Our recruitment will be focusing the search for two junior Quantity Surveyor that is
computer-literate and ability to perform with BIM software. As the Construction Quantity
Surveyor have their active role in the project industry, hence, our company will require
the candidates for different interview activities, and select trainee from the top ten
results (candidates) who acquire through our interviews.
After the selection, the ten trainees will be training for 3 months with a comprehensive
training pramme that provided by our company; the programme include management
plans, IT and technical subjects and as well as personal development. All successful
completed trainees will be provided a certification as their personal appendix. The best
3 results trainee will be then employed by our company as a full-time employee.
15. 15
The requirements of selection criteria is listed as below:
A. Qualifications and Working Experience
1. Possess at least in Diploma, Degree or equivalent qualifications
2. Major in either fields as listed in followings:
a. Construction / building management
b. Construction engineering management
c. Civil / structural engineering
d. Quantity surveying
3. Preferable with any Malaysia’s accreditation
4. Minimum two years working experience in construction industry
B. Skills and Abilities
1. Acquire basic skills in handling general computer programmes (Microsoft Words
and Excel) or any other software relevant (AutoCAD, Revit, BIM)
2. Able to communicate with at least two languages (Mandarin, Malay, English)
3. Industrial knowledge in construction technology
4. Stress-tolerant and time management skills
C. Job Scope and Responsibilities
1. Perform cost planning, estimation, monitoring, data, and skills with relevant
computer software.
2. Preparation of Bill of Quantities and tender documents
3. Liaison with clients, subcontractors, engineers, architects, workers and other
parties involved in the project
4. Preparation of monthly progress report
5. Supervise during the construction project
6. Able to work in Kota Kinabalu
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Interview Activity 1 – Telephone Interview
Phone interviews will be used as first round interviews by our company, in order to save
time and also to screen qualified candidates from the applicant pool for the job.
The interview will take around 5 to 10 minutes, calling from our HR Manager to observe
and capture the first impression from the candidates through phone calling, and feature
a mix of competency questions and questions about your CV, work experience and
qualifications.
The examples of phone interview questions to ask the interviewer are listed as follows:
a. A brief introduction on yourself
b. What interests you about this job?
c. Why do you want to work here?
d. What do you know about this company?
e. What position you are looking in this company?
f. What were your responsibilities/job scope in previous company?
g. What challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them?
h. Are there any other questions I can answer for you?
i. Are you willing to travel?
Through the interview, we will be looking for from candidates during a telephone
interview will be a calm, etiquette telephone manner and an intelligent set of responses
to the interview questions.
(Melbourne, n.d.)
18. 18
Interview Activity 2 – IndividualInterview(Face-to-Face)
If candidates the meet criteria in first-round interview, the candidates will be informed for
individual interview which aims to test different aspect of the applicant’s capability in the
performing specific task and responsibilities. In the interview, we able to get more of a
chance to weigh up the applicant’s character and whether they would fit in with the rest
of 18apitalize18n. The individual interview will take 15 to 30 minutes; questions that
relevant to their experience and CV.
The interview will be the structured interview — also known as the formal interview. The
questions are asked in a standardized order — an assessment method designed to
measure job-related competencies of candidates by systematically inquiring about their
18apitali in past experiences and/or their proposed 18apitali in hypothetical situations.
Structured interviews ensure candidates have equal opportunities to provide information
and are assessed accurately and consistently.
Other benefits of structured interviews are the employer can evaluate competencies that
are difficult to measure using other assessment methods (e.g., Interpersonal Skills).
Besides, all candidates are asked the same predetermined questions in the same order
and all responses are evaluated using the same rating scale and standards for
acceptable answers.
The samples of the questions and answers are listed as follow:
Q1. Tell me about yourself.
Reasons: The objective of the question is to find out whether the person is professional
and whether he has done his/her homework before applying for the job. Remember that
the answer should be short and concise and should provide only those aspects about
yourself that would be positive in your job search activity. The candidates should
provide the answer about his/her a summary brief of personal details (name, age, living
area), education details, and profession experience.
Q2. What do you know about this company?
Reasons: This is a question for how the candidates know about the company. The
candidates should research on the company’s name, vision, mission and what the
company values and goals. As employer, we would like to hear from candidates
highlight their values and skills that can help to reach the company goals with their skills
and capacity.
19. 19
Q3. What is your academic qualification?
Reasons: The academic qualifications are quite important in any job profile that you
might be looking at today. Almost every job that has responsibility attached to it will
have several qualifications required. There are several cases where a person has not
been hired because they did not have the required academic qualifications.
Q4. What are your strength and weaknesses?
Reasons: This is a kind of SWOT analysis that every interviewer would want the person
to prepare for even before they join the company. The very fact that a person knows
his/her strengths and weaknesses tells the interviewer that the person is mature and
knowledgeable enough to handle the job.
Q5. Why should we hired you?
Reasons: This question helps you determine the best candidate, from a big stack of
resumes telling a similar story. An interviewee who does a great job explaining how he
or her unique experience, education, industry credentials, and personal interests will
power your business will do the same thing for your company once hired.
Q6. Why did you leave your last job? / Why are you leaving your current employer?
Reasons: The applicant’s response tells you about his or her values, outlook, goals, and
needs from an employer. You can determine what prompted the job search. Is the
candidate running towards a more successful future or is she running away from an
unsuccessful employment experience?
Q7. What experience do you have in construction field?
Reasons: This question is depended on the candidate’s’ previous/current job scope.
The candidates shall explain what they done and learn from the projects.
Q8. Can you explain something to me that is complicated but you know well?
Reasons: This is a much better test of intelligence than a college GPA, and it’s also a
great gauge of a candidate’s passion and charisma. The “something” in this question
doesn’t have to be work-related — it can be a hobby, a sports team, something
technical ... anything, really. Their response will tell you how well your candidate
comprehends complex subjects and how well they can articulate a complex subject to
someone who doesn’t know much about it. Candidates who are passionate and
knowledgeable about something — and can convey that well — are more likely to be
charismatic, enthusiastic, and influential at work.
20. 20
Q9. What is your total work experience in the construction field?
Reasons: This questions help to know the working experience of the candidates have in
the industry, what critical situation or experience can he/she have.
Q10. Give a brief detail about the projects that you have worked in.
Reasons: This question is used to determine the candidate’s explanation skills
(communication skills) on how he/she tell the projects involved.
Q11. What was the job position and job scope in your last working experience?
Reasons: This question is used to determine whether the candidates clearly understand
the job scope and position in his/her last working. The candidates shall answer it fluently
and well-understanding.
Q12. What are your salary expectations?
Reasons: The employer will give a salary that is indicative of your skills and
experiences, but if the candidates giving a salary estimate that is too high could put out
of the running for the job.
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Interview Activity 3 – Psychometric & Aptitude Test
The third interview activity will be taken after the second-round interview. The
candidates will be bring to an individual room, to fill up two different Psychometric &
Aptitude Test that helps to facilitate the candidate’s personal character and behavioural
assessment. These test are used as making comparison based on the potential
candidates’ scores from the given sets of test. However, there are no absolute right or
wrong answer to the questions as it only serves as suggestion whether the applicants
are in the right positions for growing the business or aligned with the company’s vision,
mission and goals. The two tests are MBTI(Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) test and DISC
test.
MBTI is a development tool, not a selection tool. Interested employers should use the
MBTI to identify employee strengths and blind spots, so that they might help these
employees further leverage their strengths and compensate for their blind spots. As a
result of completing the MBTI profile, the final outcome will be four letters. It’s these four
letters that capture the essence of who a person is.
There are 16 different Myers Briggs types. The types come from looking at four
different scales and you select which side of the scale you are.
1) The first scale is the Energy scale. Where do you get your energy from?
The labels are ‘Extroversion’ and ‘Introversion’ and in Myers Briggs language this
means:
‘E’ – you get your energy from other people: you feel better when you can bounce ideas
around and talk things through (my mother in law is off the scale here!).
‘I’ – you get your energy from within: you prefer to reflect on situations; think things
through; enjoy having the space to consider and collect your thoughts.
2) The second scale is how you gather information.
Some of us have a preference for gathering facts and data or ‘Sensing’ as it’s known in
MBTI language. Others have a preference for using their ‘iNtuiton’, seeing the bigger
picture and imagining what could be. This is the ‘S’ or ‘N’ scale.
3) The third scale is how you prefer to make decisions.
Some of us have a clear preference for using our ‘Thinking’ or ‘T’. This means we like
to use logic, analysis and rationale. Others prefer ‘Feeling’ or ‘F’. This means we much
prefer to look at the impact decisions have on people – preferring harmony and
consideration.
4) The fourth scale looks at how we like to live our lives.
Here we have another two broad types: ‘J’ or ‘Judging’ which means we are 21apitaliz,
systematic and like to make decisions quickly. Or there’s the other end of the spectrum
22. 22
‘P’ or ‘Perceiving’ which means we enjoy going with the flow and reviewing all the
options.
As a result, we end up with a preference for E or I; S or N; T or F and J or P giving us
four out of a possible sixteen different types.
The sixteen different types chart:
23. 23
Information from personality tests help companies better understand their employees’
strengths, weaknesses and the way they perceive and process information. Once the
personality types is determined, the employee usually has a better understanding of the
best way to approach work, manage their time, problem solve, make decisions and deal
with stress. Here’s how businesses can use MBTI data to build stronger more
successful organizations:
1. Assembling teams: MBTI results tell you a lot about how each member of your
team likes to work and with whom they will collaborate most effectively and
efficiently. Managers putting together a team can use MBTI information to make
sure personality types don’t clash, and strengths and weaknesses complement
one another.
2. Facilitating communication: Anyone who has ever been a project manager
knows that their biggest challenges aren’t necessarily technical or budgetary but
personalities. If your team members know their own personality type, and that of
the other team members, they will understand the best ways to communicate
with one another.
3. Motivating employees: With information about an employees’ personality type
can inform how the leader/employer manage and motivate them. One team
member, for example, might be a person that needs logical, straightforward
reasons for what you ask them to do, they may work best on their own with a
minimum of feedback. An employee with a different personality type might need
to hear positive feedback and appreciation frequently, and have lots of
interaction with other team members.
4. Less conflict, greater efficiency: Each of us perceives and processes
information differently and those differences show up in our work habits. As a
leader/employer, you want to place your employees in roles that consider those
differences, play to each person’s strengths and minimize the impact of
weaknesses. A greater understanding of your employees will help you integrate
24. 24
new team members quickly and enable them to build strong relationships—and
good communication habits—with other team members.
5. Leadership development: As companies look to develop their leader’s data
from the MBTI can be an important tool, enabling them to understand
themselves—where they focus attention and draw energy, how they process
information, how they make decisions and handle stress. The airline JetBlue,
for example, implemented MBTI assessments as part of its leadership
development program a decade ago. It required current and future leaders to
develop self-reflection, self-understanding, and a recognition and understanding
of others’ differences and then apply those skills to their actions and
communications.(Bajic, 2015)
Another test will be taken by the candidates is DISC. The DISC model can help to
understand the applicant’s personality by describing four main, or primary,
behavioural styles. However, each individual person can, and likely will, display
some of all four behavioural styles depending on the situation. This blend of
styles within each person is called a style blend. Each person’s style blend will
have more of some traits and less of others.
The main characteristic trait for each behavioural type (quadrant of the DISC circle)
is used as the representative word for that type:
1. Dominant
2. Inspiring
3. Supportive
4. Cautious
25. 25
People who have both Outgoing and Task-oriented traits
often exhibit DOMINANT and DIRECT behaviours.
They usually focus on results, problem-solving, and
the bottom-line.
People who have both Outgoing and People-oriented traits
often exhibit INSPIRING and INTERACTIVE
behaviours. They usually focus on interacting with
people, having fun, and/or creating excitement.
People who have both Reserved and People-oriented
traits often exhibit SUPPORTIVE and STEADY
behaviours. They usually focus preserving
relationships and on creating or maintaining peace and
harmony.
People who have both Reserved and Task-oriented traits
often exhibit CAUTIOUS and CAREFUL behaviours.
They usually focus on facts, rules, and correctness.
(Harris, 2017)
The DISC profile is a non-judgemental tool used for discussion of people’s
behavioural differences. The series of questions is used to produce a detailed
report about a person’s personality and 25apitali.
DISC profiles helps in a team in:
· Increase self-knowledge: how to respond to conflict, what motivates you, what
causes stress and how to solve problems
· Facilitate better teamwork and minimize team conflict
· Develop stronger sales skills by identifying and responding to customer styles
· Manage more effectively by understanding the dispositions and priorities of
employees and team members
· Become more self-knowledgeable, well-rounded and effective leaders
(DiSC Overview, n.d.)
26. 26
What is InformationManagements?
Information managements is the management of organizational process and system
that acquire, create, organize, distribute and use information. In other words,
information management is an application of management techniques to collect
information, communicate it within and outside of the organization, and process it to
enable managers to make quicker and better decisions. For example, a manager uses
the company’s information system to makes decision and convey the decision to the
working level employee or staff. Thus, the decision made is communicated among the
people and help to improve time management in the workplace, which can increase
productivity.
Application of Information Management
1. Balanced Scorecard
Balanced scorecard (BSC) is a strategic planning and management system that is used
extensively in business and industry, government, and non-profit organizations
worldwide to align business activities to the vision, mission and strategies of the
organizations, improve internal and external communications, and monitor organization
performance against strategic goals and objectives.
Our company adopts a BSC framework which is the software auto-motion of the Nine
Steps to Success, called QuickScore. It is a web-based balanced scorecard automation
tool which is easy to use and allow our company to quickly view the results from our
balanced scorecard investment. It provides our company a real-time access to the data
that we need and transforms static performance measurement data and all the
corporate data into information and knowledge and helps our corporate management in
making a better decision. Besides, it is an action planning and performance
collaboration tool designed to help our company to drive measurable improvement.
Consequently, it helps our company to communicate performance information internally
to the employees and externally to other stakeholders.
2. Relational Database Management System (RDBMS)
We are going to implement Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Standard Edition as our
database server and it costs around RM13k. The Main reason for purchasing this server
is because of it is more cost-effective in helping our company to build mission-critical
applications with high-performance, in memory security technology across online
transaction processing and data warehousing that help our company make better
decisions in a short time.
As a construction company, a few databases are required to run a project. In other
words, each database is owned by a specific functional department. Therefore, these
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databases will be setting up and operate within a Relational Database Management
System (RDBMS) server.
Basically, the tendering department machines maintains a database of tenders
submitted. For instance, the database stores information such as the priced Bill of
Quantities (BQ), job descriptions, particular specifications, clients, architect and
engineer drawings, photos and calculations for building up rates as well as remarks and
decisions made for the tender submission. This database is passed to the project team
and Quantity Surveyors to run it when a tender is successful.
Lastly, the QS department must assure all jobs are in progress by maintaining
database. Interim statements will be generated from these databases and so will be
variations, claims and final accounts. All the completed jobs will be archived for the
tendering department reference. Then, the cost-oriented databases must be accessible
by the site staff such as site Qs, engineers and project manager in order to update
interim statements and claims. Moreover, the QS will provide a schedule of material of
material requirements for the purchasing department to negotiate contacts with
suppliers.
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What is InformationTechnology? (IT)
Information Technology (IT) refers to a wide variety of items and abilities used in the
creation, storage, and dispersal of data and information as well as in the creation of
knowledge. Data are raw facts, figures, and details. Information refers to an organized,
meaningful, and useful interpretation of data, while knowledge is the awareness and
understanding of a set of information and how that information can be put to the best
use.
By using information technology, businesses have ability to view the changes in the
global markets which is far faster than their progress. To catch up with their footsteps,
the businesses are willing to draw out the purse to purchase some software packages
and hardware which might help them to get their job done. Conversely, some of the
large businesses such as International Holdings LTD have compose their own
information technology development to stand up for the hardware and software. In other
way, information technology also permitted businesses to stay aware of the free market
activities as consumers show up more restless to receive their things in a flash. By
using information technology, businesses like Taobao are attempting to occupy the
buyers to do their own shopping which only need few clicks on specific website to make
their payment. Then, it helps customer to submit orders and information technology of
that orders will send to the company.
Modest Home.Co has taken initiatives to implement the latest IT techniques available in
the construction field by employing different computer softwares such as BIM, Cloud
computing and Procore that has offered the corporation with great competitive
advantage over the other companies within the industry. These computer programming
and softwares serve as a catalyst in improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of
the employees in their job performance.
BIM
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an intelligent 3D model-based process that
equips architecture, engineering, and construction professionals with the insight and
tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and
infrastructure. BIM is relatively new and has slowly emerged as a popular trend in the
construction industry. There is a wide variety of BIM softwares in the market where each
comes with specific functions, different prices and license. The selected few sought by
our company includes Autodesk Revit, Glodon, Graphisoft, ArchiCAD, Autodesk
Naviswork and Google SketchUp Pro. These BIM softwares provide 3D visualization,
coordination, prefabrication, construction planning and monitoring, cost estimating and
model recording that helps to provide better work accuracy and minimize human error.
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Moreover, BIM softwares are able to detect the errors in the drawing and avoid
unnecessary time and cost wastage. It also helps to improve work productivity such as
the drafting of a particular construction design and enables abstract ideas to be well
presented in 3D modeling. The specialized tools in these software allow the users to
visualize and quantify the energy performance of the building which is unable to be
captured by conventional drafting.
Then, BIM brings together all of the information about every component of a building, in
one place. BIM makes it possible for anyone to access that information for any purpose,
e.g. to integrate different aspects of the design more effectively. In this way, the risk of
mistakes or discrepancies is reduced, and abortive costs minimized.
BIM data can be used to illustrate the entire building life-cycle, from cradle to cradle,
from inception and design to demolition and materials reuse. Spaces, systems, products
and sequences can be shown in relative scale to each other and, in turn, relative to the
entire project. And by signaling conflict detection BIM prevents errors creeping in at the
various stages of development/ construction.
At Modest Home. Co , we were on of the first manufacturers to develop our own free
online BIM space where architects, specifiers and contractors can quickly download
BIM components. As part of its 2025 Construction Strategy, the Government has set
itself a target of a 33% reduction in the initial cost of construction and the whole-life
costs of built assets, as well as a 50% reduction in the overall build time for both new-
build and refurbishment projects. BIM is the main delivery mechanism for these
savings. There is now an expectation that BIM will become standard in the design
process, with 92% of those surveyed by NBS expecting to use it within the next three
years. So whether architect, contractor or manufacturer, companies who don’t engage
with BIM will be at a serious disadvantage when it comes to winning future work.
However, those who develop the skills in this area will be in pole position to 29apitalize
on the growing demand for BIM expertise.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is known as networking computing which able to store online data to
computers and sharing information which can be accessed through internet. If this
company utilize this networking tool, it can gain competitive advantage more than its
rivals in this industry. For instance, this application is easy to use by everyone that it
does not need installation fee and license renewal. Furthermore, it can help company to
save plenty of time and cost that it is able to reduce the paperwork by establishing
company’s information neatly and employee can find their information faster compared
to paperwork.
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When this company implements this computing application, it can help the employees in
the headquarter office and site works share their information easily by providing an
online sharing platform which formed by internet devices. Also, those employees who
using this application can no need to worry about losing of data due to it can provide
softcopy backup to the workers and security protection of the information is guaranteed.
Due to it is accessible to the information, it can make the flow of management in the
organization goes smoothly and enhance the communication between the workers and
relationships between the construction parties.
Computeraided design and visualization
AutoCAD is known as commercial computer aided design and drafting software
application which outlines 2D and 3D drawings. It is established by a company named
Autodesk Inc. Besides, this software also underlie CAD programs which can be used in
computer. Before this software is created, there is a program called Interact. Interact is
formed by restrictive language and it is only comes from original shapes such as lines,
circles, polygons, circular segments and so on. However, it had faced bolster questions
when interfacing with C++ application. The modern technology comprises a tool for
providing 3D drawing and modelling. Hence, AutoCAD is added to strengthen several
applications which interfaces with customization and mechanization.
There is several advantages of using AutoCAD application. First of all, it enables the
employees to analyze the design accurately that the sizes of drawings can be adjusted
and the determination of data can be used during manufacturing process. It also can
helps company to save a lot of time. For instance, it can provide a programming which
is straightforward and the employees can be easy to understand. It is also can provide
new outlines and designs, which the drawings can come out faster with good quality.
Aside from that, it can be printed in different forms for multiple users that it can reduce
assembling time. It provides plenty options of parts elements which giving the
employees to decide for their building designs. It is also provide accurate and fast
measurements. Furthermore, it able to design variety type of mechanical product and
reach different needs of mechanical engineering company. It can also alter the design
without redraw or erasing when there is any changes required. Besides, it can save time
since the employees can modify their designs. It allow the employees to reuse the
plans.
However, there is few disadvantages at the same time while we are using this
software to run our construction project. For instance, training is required for the
beginners who are new to this software. Those users who do not have any training are
difficult in using this software. The company have to pay some training cost for their
workers and need some time in learning to use this software. Besides, training is
31. 31
needed when there is new update of software. Other than that, the expenses of utilizing
this application is high. If the company want to install this application, they have to pay
for start-up expenses of AutoCAD for its equipment, installation and preparing. Besides,
they also required to pay to the software for updates and additional overhaul. In
addition, it required a lot of processing power from computer. Hence, the company who
decide to use this software has possess a computer which is superb in quality and
requires high quality of manufacturing gadgets. Last but not least, it is not preferred to
be used in 3D due to it has less choices. Furthermore, it cannot be used in Complex
Programming. Vast measure of memory and speed is needed, and the training and
types of gear is expensive.
As there is many benefit we can gain from this application, we can know that
AutoCAD can bring more competitive advantage than other software. By using
AutoCAD, it can helps client to save a lot of cost by reducing few of expensive designs
and minimize the requirement of physical models. Besides, it can provide fabricate
documentation from the building model which is straightforward and easily to be
understand by employee. Furthermore, this application has including 2D and 3D
Mechanical engineering programming.
Other than that, the workload of employees can be lighter and their productivity will be
faster compared to traditional method if they are using AutoCAD. This is because
AutoCAD can allow the employee to design their buildings with computer. Besides,
since there has new method to design the building, the working progress of profession
can be more efficient due to this software enable them to design their plan in 3D with
computer. Last but not least, it can provide measurement to the design which is more
precise and accurate compared to other methods. As a conclusion, if the company is
using AutoCAD software to run their project, the working result will be better comparing
with others software and company able to save their cost effectively.
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Project Management Software
Project management software has the capacity to help plan, organize, and manage
resource tools and develop resource estimates. Depending on the sophistication of the
software, it can manage estimation and planning, scheduling, cost control and budget
management, resource allocation, collaboration software, communication, decision-
making, quality management and documentation or administration systems. Today,
numerous PC & browser based project management software and contract
management software solutions exist, and are finding applications in almost every type
of business.
Procore Technologies, the world’s number one most widely used construction
management software, helps firms drastically increase project efficiency and
accountability by streamlining and mobilizing project communication and documentation
ultimately boosting profits. Procore enables construction professionals to collaborate on
projects from any Internet-connected device with access to all project documents,
contracts, RFIs, submittals, schedules, and drawings and more. It is a leading provider
of cloud-based applications for construction. Procore Construction OS connects people,
applications, and devices through a unified platform that helps construction firms
manage risk and build quality projects, safely, on time, and within budget. Procore has a
diversified business model with products for Construction Project Management,
Construction Financials, and Quality & Safety.
After finishing the marketing survey, we had a committee meeting with our business
partner, finally we had chosen Procore as our company’s project management software.
There are the few reason and the advantages that the selective software could bring to
our company, which is time saving. All the tasks are well arranged accordingly, it can
save a lot of time and energy on something unnecessary. Secondly, cost saving. Well
planned on those materials that are needed, it can avoid wastage or any extra cost.
Third, better quality. A good management on labour, time, and materials it would
produce a better quality of work. Fourth, budget controlling. All costs are well planned
and under control, so that it won’t exceed budget. Fifth, safety. Everything are under
control so that it can reduce the risk of danger to workers. Sixth, efficiency. Job can be
done within the contract, so that it can improve our company’s efficiency as well as
increase the reputation to company.
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Competitive Advantage
1. Six of us have strong knowledge in construction and great experiences as we
have work in construction industry for 10 years. We know how to manage all
aspects of construction projects including initial design, acquiring permits,
creating budget, scheduling construction and overseeing field operations. We
believe that we can work in the perfect way as a good teamwork since we are
friends which have already known each other very well for many year and we can
communicate with each other easily. Therefore, we will be able to manage the
company well and produce product with good quality in a short period time.
2. To be able compete with the competitors, we need to have a stronger
sustainable power in this industry. Compare with other companies, we have a
larger capital base to sustain in this industry. A larger capital, we can tender a
bigger project which those smaller company cannot take part in it. Hence, our
company will less competitive due to lesser competitors. Moreover, having a
bigger capital can tender few projects instead of one project. Therefore, company
will have a higher chance in getting a project. In addition to that, a larger capital
which mean company can have an advantage in cash flow. It will help in handling
a bigger project or few at a time. As a new set up company, a larger capital can
sustain longer period of time although our company no income in the beginning
of year.
3. We promise that we will not ‘skimp on the job and stint on materials’ as we
believe that we can earn with small profit but rapid turnover. We will produce
products with superior quality and positioning combined with a price lower than
that of our competitors. We will put our best effort every time to make our clients
satisfy with our products and services.
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