ASSIGNMENT BRIEF
1. Task summary
This assignment requires you to produce a piece of written work, no longer than3,000
words, on three aspects of QS Professional Practice: Tendering, financial control and
reporting, and professional conduct.
See MyBeckett for the deadline dates
2. How to approach the assignment task
The following is an extract from a report in The Independent. (last accessed 24/01/2019)
‘The cost of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project, intended to increase capacity between
London, the Midlands and the north of England, is under fresh scrutiny.In a BBC Panorama
programme, a former HS2 executive has claimed that early estimates of the value of
properties along the route that needed to be bought were “enormously wrong”. Doug
Thornton, former land and property director, said the figures underestimated the amount HS2
would have to pay, and that “thousands” more properties had not been budgeted for at all.
Using this headline, produce a report that analyses the key failings in the management of the
project from a QS viewpoint.
In terms of content you must cover the following elements:
• Theoretical approaches to QS professional practice in the selected areas
• A brief discussion of each subject
• Key features
• Illustrate your work using the HS2 project as a reference point, and your work
experience
• A critical evaluation of the arguments presented
Your work should include a short introduction to signpost what your work will address and its
key arguments. It should end with a summary and conclusion that does not introduce new
material or points. You should provide in-text citations and include a reference list or
bibliography at the end in the Harvard style. Further guidance on academic writing is provided
in the Skills for Learning web pages
3. Learning outcomes
This assignment assesses module learning outcomes (LO) 2, 3 and 4
LO1: Measure and describe a range of complex construction and design work in accordance
with current rules of measurement for the quantification and costing of construction works
LO2: Research and evaluate professional advice for the application of Quantity Surveying
contract practice and procedures
LO3: To identify and apply techniques for project financial control and reporting
LO4: Understand and apply conduct rules, ethics and professional practice
4. Tasks
4.1 Tendering
• Explain how as a private quantity surveyor you would assess tender submission
risks
4.2 Financial control and reporting
• Identify and explain those elements that need to be considered when assessing the
final estimate of cost Include a checklist of items which you would expect to include.
Your answer should take into account the HS2 appointment arrangements.
• Critically analyse the key problems that exist and propose an appropriate post- contract
cost control system to address/mitigate the issues the project faces
4.3 Professional conduct
• Critically evaluate the value of professional codes of ethics to construction
professionals.
Assessment Criteria for each part of this assignment are as follows:
In completing this assignment, you should demonstrate:
• Critical appreciation and understanding of the context in which Quantity Surveying
services are provided (20%)
• Identify key aspects of tendering, financial control and professional conduct in the
provision of QS services (30%)
• Critically evaluate the application of QS services to construction
projects (20%)
• Critical awareness of practice and procedure differences between construction
projects and the various ways in which contractual arrangements areimplemented
20%)
• Appropriate assignment format, structure, presentation, clarity and quality of writing
and correct Harvard referencing (10%)
This Coursework assessment component contributes a maximum of 60% to your Module
marks.
Assessment will be in accordance with Leeds Beckett University’s descriptors:

These conventions are adopted by the University for the marking of assessed work and are
supported by the prevailing University taxonomy as detailed in guidance issued by Quality
Assurance Services