Construction World Septemer 2017

COMMENT

The theme of the ASAQS’ Annual Conference was ‘Agility: Swift and Strong’. The main purpose of this conference is

LAST CHANCE There is less than a month left to enter Best Projects. Please turn to pages 34 and 35 to learn more. We are looking forward to your entries. To get there, however, Larry Feinberg, Executive Director of the ASAQS, says that it is imperative that the profession includes new methodologies and is seen to embrace a new way of thinking. This is where the concept of ‘agility’ comes in. Businesses of today are, by and large, operationally not dissimilar from when things changed drastically with the industrial revolution that started in 1760. In 2017, some three centuries later, there is a need to adapt, change, and innovate to survive in the modern and ever-changing landscape. Transcending industries Agility is something that transcends industries. At its very core, agility is about being nimble, loose and relaxed – the opposite of tough and inflexible. Dr Dorothy Ndletyana, one of the keynote speakers, said that agility is about the ability to move and change direction when it is required. Whether you are a contractor or an engineer, being agile is crucial in these challenging times. 12 Principles of agility Even though the 12 principles of agility were initially created to illustrate an effective software developer, these principles can be adjusted to fit any kind of business. to add value to the quantity surveying profession – value that can be leveraged. The ultimate aim is to have a QS part and parcel of every professional team.

• The highest priority should be to satisfy the customer. • One should welcome changing requirements – even late in delivery. • Offer new and innovative services/products at regular intervals. • It is imperative that you do not operate in isolation. • Employees must be motivated and an environment of support must be created. • Face-to-face communication is the most efficient and effective within a team. • A working product/service is the only measure of progress. • Agility promotes sustainability: the product/service should be able to be maintained indefinitely. • Continuous attention to excellence enhances agility. • Simplicity – the art of maximising the amount of work not done – is essential. • The best products, services and effectiveness emerge from self-organising teams. • At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behaviour accordingly. Whether you are a civil contractor, builder, engineer or architect: how agile are you?

Wilhelm du Plessis Editor

@ConstWorldSA

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD SEPTEMBER 2017