Data Management

Quesion 1.     What is data management? (Store information)

Is the management of sources of information and data, and of the systems applicable to an organization or practice, including the methodologies and techniques most appropriate to collect, collate and sore data.

Quesion 2.     Building Cost Information Services -

BCIS, the RICS' Building Cost Information Service, is the leading provider of cost information to the construction industry and anyone else who needs comprehensive, accurate and independent data.

The BCIS database includes details of 16,000 projects, together with their tender costs. It also provide the latest resource cost data (both online and through price books), which is invaluable in producing fast, accurate estimates.

This services include measuring price movement, benchmarking, market research, statistical analysis, forecasting and impact studies. These services will help in collecting, modeling, analysing and interpreting data.

Quesion 3.     BCIS Construction

BCIS construction data is used by consultants, clients and contractors to produce specific estimates for option appraisals, early cost advice, cost planning and benchmarking. Its historic data goes back 45 years, while their forecasts will help to plan for the next five years.

Quesion 4.     Building Maintenance Index (BMI)

Benchmarking data - covering maintenance and operation costs such as cleaning, energy consumption and administrative costs - has long been relied on by property professionals.

It provides a sound basis for early life cycle cost advice and the development of life cycle cost plans. Increasingly, this data is taking on a new importance as the industry places more emphasis on sustainability and whole life costs.

It is committed to encouraging sustainable development and have recently worked with BSi (British Standards Institution) to develop the construction industry's first standardised method of life cycle costing for construction procurement. This is set to have a major impact on all future construction procurement as clients focus more on setting accurate budgets that optimise their life cycle costs, from both a whole life value and sustainable development perspective. To make their buildings more sustainable, they need to know more than the initial cost of the building. They need to know the total cost of their investment.

Quesion 5.     Data Protection Act 1998 –

The Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) is a United Kingdom Act of Parliament which defines UK law on the processing of data on identifiable living people. It is the main piece of legislation that governs the protection of personal data in the UK. Although the Act does not mention privacy, in practice it provides a way in which individuals can control information about themselves. Most of the Act does not apply to domestic use, for example keeping a personal address book. Anyone holding personal data for other purposes is legally obliged to comply with this Act, subject to some exemptions. The Act defines eight data protection principles.

The Data Protection Act is mandatory. It is essential therefore that YOUR-COMPANY fully complies with it. Not just to avoid prosecution and bad publicity, but to demonstrate to customers that YOUR- COMPANY operates with due diligence and responsibility. Also bear in mind that a breach of the act can lead to claims for compensation.

Quesion 6.     Pricing books – There are a number of price books (Eg. Spon’s pricing book) and guides available from RICS / BCIS which helps the estimation process.

Quesion 7.     Different sources of price information – BCIS / BMI, Pricing books, Elemental analysis, In house data base, Libraries, Statistical Centre Abu Dhabi (SCAD) etc.

Quesion 8.     Due Diligence is a term used for a number of concepts involving either the performance of an investigation of a business or person, or the performance of an act with a certain standard of care. It can be a legal obligation, but the term will more commonly apply to voluntary investigations. A common example of due diligence in various industries is the process through which a potential acquirer evaluates a target company or its assets for acquisition

Quesion 9.     What type of data systems using in your organization –Computer systems, internet, intranet, computer data backups, external file storages (physically & electronically) etc.

Quesion 10.   If you want to dispose a document from your office, what are the things you will check –

·         Is it original contract / legal documents

·         are they need for any litigation

·         do they relate to any current project

·         are they for work with outstanding fee

·         are they related to any disputes

·         do they belong to any client

·         can we microfilm it

·         is it any confidential information- if yes, it should be disposed securely (eg. Shredding)