ABSTRACT

It has been discovered that there are rising opportunities and challenges in the field of quantity surveying, together with the increasing paradigm shift from paper based operations, to digitally and automated software which has in many way help to reduce computation error and has in turn prevented cost overrun during the execution of scheme amongst other benefits. The aim of this research is to examine those barriers which have limited the level of usage of these software application tools while identifying the underlying benefits of its use by Quantity Surveyors in Edo State. The survey design methodology was adopted for this research. Data were obtained through the use of questionnaires. The target population was strictly quantity surveyors working in Edo State. The study used mean item scores and relative importance index as well as percentages for the analysis of data obtained through the said questionnaires. It was observed that most quantity surveyors in Edo State were not most proficient in use of quantity surveying software application tools, this indicated a very low usage of quantity surveying application software by quantity surveyors. The research also revealed that amongst other barrier inhibiting the use of quantity surveying software, the most critical barrier was the high cost of installation and maintenance. The study amongst other things recommended that to be able to reduce the cost of acquiring software by quantity surveyors, there should be competition in the market which can be achieved by including some basic and advanced computer science courses in the curriculum of quantity surveying students. this will enable them to create tools that are efficient in market.