STUDENT MATRICULATION NUMBER
SCHOOL OF ENERGY, GEOSCIENCE, INFRASTRUCTURE & SOCIETY
Discipline: Construction Project Management/Quantity Surveying
D39CC
DESIGN COST PLANNING AND CONTROL
Semester 1 – 2015/16
Duration: 2 Hours
Answer both questions, all questions carry equal marks
Instructions
 For the mock exam you are required to answer one question only (you will
be told which question to answer)
 You will be given 1 hour to complete your solution
 Write your answers on your own paper
 Please write your matriculation number in the box above
 When instructed to do so at the end of the hour, staple this question paper
to the front of your work and hand it in
Attached: n/a
Supplied: n/a
DO NOT REMOVE THIS PAPER FROM THE EXAM HALL
Heriot-Watt University
DESIGN COST PLANNING AND CONTROL
D39CC – 2015/16
Question 1
The RICS new rules of measurement are a suite of documents issued by the
RICS Quantity Surveying and Construction Professional Group. The rules have
been written to provide a standard set of measurement rules that are
understandable by all those involved in a construction project. They provide
advice and best practice guidance to RICS members involved in the cost
management of construction projects worldwide. NRM1, the RICS new rules of
measurement: Order of cost estimating and elemental cost planning, provides
fundamental guidance on the quantification of building works for the purpose of
preparing cost estimates and cost plans.
With the use of examples, critically evaluate if NRM1 is the solution to providing
accurate cost advice at pre-contract stage or is it more related to the accuracy
of historical data used?
(50 marks)
Question 2
The post contract work undertaken by the Contractor’s QS and Construction
Project Manager relates to the way in which commercial competitiveness
balances against profitability. This requires an awareness of the financial
processes used to achieve profitability, and how they integrate with the overall
delivery of the project.
Critically evaluate this statement with regards to the processes to be followed to
ensure a project achieves cost, standards and programme benchmarks.
(50 marks)
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