ASAQS Meets ICMS in London: Advancing Global Consistency in Construction Cost Management

The Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) was proud to be represented by Karl Trusler, Executive Director of the ASAQS and Secretary General of the ICMS Trustees Coalition, at the recent International Cost Management Standards (ICMS) event held in London. This significant gathering took place from June 15th to June 17th, 2023, at the prestigious Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) offices on Parliament Square, Westminster.
 
Hosted by RICS and supported by the European Council of Construction Economists (CEEC), the event centered around the theme "Next Steps – Digitising Construction." It provided a platform for industry leaders and experts to exchange insights, discuss future developments, and strengthen international collaborations.
 
The event's itinerary featured a thought-provoking seminar on digitisation in the construction industry, exploring innovative approaches to drive efficiency and productivity. Additionally, the ICMS Trustees Coalition Meeting offered an opportunity for key stakeholders to shape the future direction of cost management standards. The event concluded with the CEEC Annual General Meeting, fostering a sense of unity and cooperation among construction economists from Europe and beyond.
 
Karl Trusler, a respected authority in the field, expressed his gratitude for the productive relationship between ASAQS, RICS, and CEEC. He emphasised the value of collaboration in areas of mutual interest and the exchange of knowledge and resources. This partnership not only benefits the ASAQS members working in the United Kingdom and Europe but also contributes to the growing diaspora of South African quantity surveyors making their mark globally.
 
At the seminar, Trusler delivered a compelling presentation on "ICMS 3 & Future Mapping to National Standards." He showcased how the Elemental Method of Estimating, a familiar local system in South Africa, could be seamlessly integrated with the ICMS 3 coding library. By mapping the Elemental method to the ICMS framework, professionals can confidently prepare accurate Bill of Estimates (BOEs) using the familiar system and easily generate reports in either Elemental or ICMS formats, catering to their clients' specific needs. This approach mitigates the risks associated with implementing entirely new systems and facilitates the smooth transition from the "familiar" to the "new."
 
While the ICMS 3 presents a global standard for reporting on construction life cycle costs and carbon emissions, Trusler acknowledged that not all countries have existing local systems that can be readily mapped to ICMS. In such cases, alternative means, including partnerships, would need to be explored to achieve adoption. The ASAQS is committed to fostering such collaborations to accelerate the worldwide adoption of ICMS 3 as the global standard.
 
The ICMS 3 also provides a comprehensive solution for consistent reporting on carbon emissions, making it an invaluable tool for organisations worldwide committed to pursuing Net Zero targets. It is worth noting that ICMS 3 is freely available for use by all interested parties. To access the ICMS 3 document, please visit the official ICMS Coalition website at https://icms-coalition.org/the-standard/
 
The ASAQS remains dedicated to advancing the profession of quantity surveying, promoting global best practices, and driving international standards for cost management. Through its active involvement in events like the ICMS gathering, the association continues to contribute to the growth and development of the construction industry on a global scale.
 
ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Stephné du Toit, [email protected], 084 587 9933, www.atthatpoint.co.za 
 
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