Differences Between Quantity Surveyor And Project Manager

In the construction industry both Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors are equally important. Both possess distinct responsibilities, abilities, and career paths. Whether you are pursuing a career in the construction industry or wish to learn more about the profession, this article will help you do so by pointing out the difference between Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager and choosing the right path.

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Role and Responsibilities of a Quantity Surveyor

A Quantity Surveyor (QS) oversees costs and ensures cost-effectiveness of construction projects. The key responsibilities includes:

• Cost Estimation & Budgeting: Project cost estimation and making estimates.
• Contract Management: Contract drafting, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
• Procurement & Vendor Management: Securing materials and subcontractors within budget.
• Cost Control & Risk Management: Controlling cost and reducing financial risks.
• Valuation & Payments: Payment to contractors and monitoring expenditure on time.

Role and Responsibilities of a Project Manager

A Project Manager (PM) is responsible for the overall construction process, on-time delivery of projects, within budget, and scope. The key responsibilities includes:

• Project Planning & Scheduling: Establishing project scope, schedule, and delivery.
• Resource Management: Efficient management of labor, materials, and equipment.
• Risk & Quality Control: Risk detection and sustaining quality levels.
• Coordination & Communication: Serving as an intermediary for the stakeholders, clients, and teams.
• Progress Monitoring & Reporting: Monitoring the progress of projects and reporting to the stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving: Problem-solving that comes up during construction.

Key Differences in Duties and Scope of Work

Required Skills and Qualifications Of A Quantity Surveyor

A Quantity Surveyor is a vital staff member in the construction industry, handling cost, contracts, and keeping projects within budget. The following are minimum qualifications and requirements one should possess as a Quantity Surveyor:

1. Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or equivalent.
• Professional qualifications such as RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building), or AIQS (Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors) may be useful.
• Postgraduate qualification such as MSc in Quantity Surveying may be useful.

2. Technical Skills

• Sound knowledge of construction practices, materials, and legislations.
• Knowledge of cost estimation and budgeting.
• Ability to prepare BOQ (Bill of Quantities) and administration of contracts.
• Knowledge of contracts such as FIDIC, JCT, and NEC.
• Tendering and procurement experience.
• Elementary project management.

3. IT skills

• AutoCAD knowledge in drawing review.
• Knowledge of CostX, Candy, or Bluebeam cost estimation software.
• MS Excel, Primavera, or Microsoft Project experience in scheduling a project.
• Familiarity with BIM (Building Information Modeling) tools.

4. Soft skills

• Analytical and problem-solving skill.
• Particular attention to detail with an eye for precision in accurate cost estimating.
• Good negotiation and communication skills.
• Leadership and human management skills to coordinate with engineers, architects, and contractors.
• Time management skills to deliver the project within project deadlines.

5. Work Experience

• Trainee or internship in quantity surveying may be mandatory for entry-level positions.
• Mid-to-senior level positions will generally ask for 2-5+ years of experience in cost estimation, contract administration, or site work.

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Required Skills and Qualifications Of A Project Manager

A Project Manager (PM) plans, executes, and monitors the projects for delivering the same on schedule, in terms of scope, and budget. Following are the essential skills and credentials for a Project Manager:

1. Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Project Management, Business Administration, Engineering, IT, Construction Management, or other relevant subject.
  Professional licenses including:
• PMP (Project Management Professional) – certified across the globe.
• PRINCE2 (Projects in Controlled Environments) – commonly used in Europe and the UK.
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or PMI-ACP – for project management with Agile.
• CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) – for junior-level PMs.
• A master’s degree (MBA or MSc in Project Management) may be beneficial for higher-level positions.

2. Core Technical Skills

• Project scheduling and planning with the aid of programs like MS Project, Primavera, or Jira.
• Budgeting and cost control for cost-effectiveness.
• Risk control to assist in identifying and controlling project risks.
• Procurement planning and resource management to enhance the performance of teams.
• Contract administration (construction, engineering, and IT-specific).
• Quality assurance and compliance for meeting industry standards.

3. Software & Digital Skills

• Project management software: MS Project, Trello, Jira, Asana, or Monday.com.
• Financial and cost analysis: Excel (advanced), SAP, or QuickBooks.
• Communication & collaboration: Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Zoom.
• Reporting and documentation: Power BI, Tableau, or Google Workspace.

4. Soft Skills

• Leadership & team management to guide & motivate project teams.
• Communication & negotiation to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
• Problem-solving & decision-making in stressful situations.
• Time management & multitasking to coordinate multiple stages of a project.
• Critical thinking & flexibility to alter strategies if required.

5. Work Experience

• Entry-level: 1-3 years (assistant project manager, coordinator).
• Mid-level: 3-7 years (project manager, senior PM).
• Senior-level: 7+ years (program manager, project director).

Salary and Career Growth Prospects

A Quantity Surveyor has the responsibility to oversee project cost, contract, and financial efficiency on construction and infrastructure projects. Junior QS experts are remunerated $45,000 – $70,000 a year, whereas the figure goes up to $100,000 – $150,000 for senior experts. Experts who work for high-value sectors such as oil & gas or mega infrastructure earn much more. Career development is Trainee QS to Senior QS, then Commercial Manager and Chief QS. Professional membership in RICS, CIOB, or AIQS can actually increase career prospects.

Project Managers organize, implement, and deliver projects within budget and time frames. Initial salaries are $50,000 – $80,000, while experienced PMs earn $120,000 – $160,000+. IT, healthcare, and financial sectors pay some of the best wages. A common career progression begins at Project Coordinator, moving to Project Manager, to Program Manager, and ending up in Director or VP positions. Career advancement and pay may be supplemented by professional certifications like PMP, PRINCE2, or Agile.

Quantity Surveyor vs. Project Manager – How to Choose the Right Career Path?

To choose a career between Quantity Surveyor (QS) and Project Manager (PM) will depends on your interest and aptitude. If you have an interest in numbers, contracts, and budgets, and if you enjoy a technical job involving cost estimating and finance management on the field, then a Quantity Surveyor is a good option. But if you enjoy organizing, planning, and managing groups, managing deadlines, resources, and risks, and work in all industries such as IT, health, finance, or construction, then it will be good to choose your career as a Project Manager. Both professions have good salary and career growth opportunities, but QS is cost-related, whereas PM is project coordination in general. If you desire technical and leadership positions, you can start as a Quantity Surveyor and then move to Project Manager, towards the latter part of your career.

CONCLUSION

Both Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager are important stakeholders in project implementation but in divergent areas of interest. A Quantity Surveyor is an expert in cost planning, budgeting, and contractual matters in an attempt to maximize cost-effectiveness, whereas a Project Manager has overall control of the project and is responsible for planning, coordination, and implementation. If numbers work and financial planning excite you, then Quantity Surveyor fits your bill. If you like planning project timelines and teams, then Project Manager is the best profession. Both these professions have good growth prospects, and the best one depends on what you like and are skilled at.