Chapter 6 Analysis Of results

6.0 Introduction

In this chapter, the author will analyse the results of a questionnaire survey used to asses the extent of knowledge of the new competency based system and attitudes towards the SCS. This information will enable the author to substantiate or refute the hypothesis of the dissertation. The author has also used the questionnaire to obtain further information and views on some of the main topics discussed in the previous chapters; these will be analysed and discussed in this chapter also.

A cover letter was prepared to accompany the e-mail questionnaire. (See appendix A for a copy of the cover letter and sample Questionnaires) Prior to sending out the questionnaires to the members of the SCS the author first issued them to members of the society within his workplace. They offered their opinions and views on the structure and appropriate content of the questionnaire. (Appendix B) Shows the people to whom the questionnaire was sent, of the 2,100 sent out 170 were returned. This implies a response rate of 8% which is not completely satisfactory but still ensures that a wide range of commentary can be formulated. (The author on several occasions tried to reach the SCS in relation to making their facilities available and to offer support and advice but never received acknowledgement)

From the database which the author put together (from the SCS contacts database) there were some 350 of the e-mail address no longer in use. A further 67 people on the list had left the company listed on the website and 77 people returned out of office autoreplys. There were some 43 people who deleted the e-mail without reading it. When this is taken into account it gives a response rate of 11%. The author provided a 20cent per reply incentive donated to the ISPCC which he has forwarded based on the 170 reply’s received €34.00.

6.1 Analysis of Results

The author formulated three different questionnaires aimed at: -

· Probationers
· Fellows
· Associates
6.1.1 Common Questions (Fellows, associates, Probationers)

The author is going to first analyse the responses to the common questions in each questionnaire which were aimed at assessing the degree of satisfaction amongst society members with the services provided within the society.

Q4. Are you happy with the SCS Website and the information available on it?

Objective: The purpose of this question is to establish the level of satisfaction within the SCS regarding the information on the website.

Commentary: As the findings above show, 54% of fellows surveyed were happy with the current content of the website and the information involved, while 72% & 73% of probationers and associates respectively were happy with it. 33% of the fellows were of the opinion that the website needed to be improved and 28% & 27% of probationers and associates were of the same opinion. Overall 13% declined to answer this question. Therefore we can conclude from this that the website needs improving in certain areas and that the Fellows of the society are the group that are most unsatisfied with the current standards of the website.

Q5. Are you happy with the information regarding the APC on the website?

Objective: The purpose of this questionnaire was to asses whether the members of the SCS were happy with the information provided by the SCS.

Commentary: As the findings above show, 40% of fellows 51% of probationers and 60% of associates surveyed were happy with the current information regarding the APC on the website. 47% of Fellows, 46% of probationers and 36% of associates were of the opinion that the information needed to be approved and 20% overall declined to answer this question. Therefore we can conclude from this that the members of the society are not happy with the current level of information relating to the APC and it needs improving in certain areas. The Author is aware that it is almost impossible to reach 100% satisfaction in any of these categories but as our professional regulating body the author feels that the SCS should strive to acheieve satisfaction amongst its members.

Q6. Do you feel there is enough support from the SCS in helping probationers become chartered?

Objective: The aim of this question was to establish if the fellows of the society are happy with the current efforts of the society in helping probationers gain their chartered status.

Commentary: As the findings above show, 54% of fellows, 48% of probationers and 54% of associates surveyed were happy with the support provided by the SCS to probationers, 33%,49% & 42% of the people were of the opinion that they needed to improve and 20% declined to answer this question. Therefore we can conclude from this that the members of the society are not happy with the current level of support being given to probationers of the society. The author is aware that not everybody will always be happy but it is the author’s opinion that the SCS should strive to achieve the highest possible level they can as our professional regulating body.

Q7. In your opinion is there good communication between yourself and the SCS?

Objective: To formulate an opinion on the satisfaction levels amongst members regarding communication with the society.

Commentary: As the findings above show, 67% of fellows 60% of probationers and 58% of associates surveyed were happy with their communication with the SCS, 20%, 40% and 38% of the people were of the opinion that they needed to improve and 17% declined to answer this question. Therefore we can conclude from this that the satisfaction levels rate relatively highly amongst the members.

Q8. Do you think Surveyor’s in Ireland would benefit from publications such as “the APC your practical guide to success” & “The APC an essential guide” CPD study packs and educational tapes relating to the APC process, as can be found on the RICS website?

Objective: To survey practising surveyors opinions in relation to the material and if they think they could be of use to the members of the society.

Commentary: As the findings above show, 86% of fellows, 96% of probationers and 91% of associates surveyed felt that the introduction of such guides would be of a major benefit to the society, 7%, 3% & 7% of the people were of the opinion that they would not be of any use and 10% declined to answer this question. Therefore we can conclude that this is one of the major areas that the SCS could improve on and perhaps implement some of these options.


Q9. Does your workplace in corporate structured learning to help those undertaking the APC?

Objective: To asses the current numbers of company’s that incorporate structured learning programmes for the APC process.

Commentary: As the findings above show, 53% of the fellows, 66% of probationers and 51% of associates surveyed; had structured learning incorporated in their workplace, 40%, 33% & 47% of the people had not and 10% declined to answer. The authors opinion on structured learning for the APC is that it should like the RICS be introduced by the SCS as a standard across the society for all company’s to be registered as approved to provide an adequate training platform. This would help to allow a quality standard that had to be achieved by all company’s and this would attract the best graduates to these company’s ensuring that quality people remain within the society structure this is discussed in depth in later chapters.

Q10. In relation to the SCS talks (CPD/PQSL) do you feel that they are sometimes made un-attendable due to their locations throughout the country?

Objective: To asses whether the CPD courses need to be overhauled within the country and if members sometimes find it is difficult to attend them due to their locations.

Commentary: As the findings above show, 40% of the fellows, 60% of probationers and 80% of associates surveyed felt that the CPD was often hard to make due to its locations, while 60%, 39% & 20% believed it was not; however it is worth noting that this 60% in relation to the fellows were all based in Dublin and perhaps are viewing the situation through rose tinted glasses. As the 40% of fellows whom replied “yes” Were all based outside of Dublin. The author feels that the SCS need to at the least provide a downloadable version of the CPD lectures on the website and maybe from time to time relocate some of the major events to somewhere a little more central between the Dublin, Cork, Galway region.

Q11. While attending college were you actively encouraged to enrol as a member of the SCS?

Objective: To asses whether or not the colleges are playing an active roll in encouraging students to enrol in the SCS and if the SCS have the ability to perhaps market themselves towards the colleges better.

Commentary: As the findings above show, 54% of the fellows, 52% of probationers and 53% of associates surveyed were actively encouraged to enrol as member of the SCS while attending college 33%, 48% & 40% were not and 20% declined to respond. The authors opinion in this circumstance is that the SCS could improve their marketability by the YCS paying visits to the colleges around Ireland that hold the accredited quantity surveying courses, they could also implement partnership with the various colleges this method has been seen to good use with the RICS in recent years and it helps encourage a high quality graduate into the Society.

Q13 Were you encouraged by your Employer to enrol as a member of the SCS?

Objective: To compare with the results from question 11 and to asses if it is seen as essential amongst the company’s to have surveyors gaining their chartership.

Commentary: As the findings show 60% of fellows, 86% of probationers and 87% of associates surveyed were actively encouraged by their employer to enrol which is a significant increase from the college question above. The author is not going to even try to guess why certain employers would not want to encourage their staff to enrol but feels that it could only be seen as good for business that your staff were members of the society. 20%, 9% & 13% were not encouraged and 25% declined to answer this question.

Q16 Do you feel that there is a need for additional resources within offices to help probationers achieve their chartered status?

Objective: To assess the feelings towards the work load involved in the APC and if the Fellows & associates feel that the SCS need to have more input and involvement in the process.

Commentary: As the findings show 60% of fellows and 58% of associates surveyed felt that there was a need for additional resources within the SCS to help the employer carry out the process, 20% & 33% felt that there was no need for them and 20% declined to answer. The author feels that the SCS should like the RICS introduce RTA’s per province to help implement and maintain structured training within the company’s.

Q17 In your opinion is there a need for training officers within the SCS since the introduction of the new system?

Objective: To allow the author to formulate a recommendation to the SCS along with the help of the response’s to question16.

Commentary: As the findings show 53% of fellows and 66% of associates surveyed felt that there was a need for training officers within the SCS to help the employer carry out the process, 40% & 27% felt that there was no need for them and 14% failed to respond to this question. Judging by these responses it would be evident that the members would be in favour of the introduction of training officers within the society.

Q18 Has the new system the potential to lead to disputes amongst employers and employees?

Objective: To allow the author to asses the opinions of the members towards the possibility of disputes amongst employees and employers when it comes to decide if the candidate is suitable for the final assessment or not. The author received interesting feedback in the comments section of this questionnaire where one of the respondents felt that it may not lead to disputes in the way that the author has put it but may in fact lead to disputes between employer and the SCS. The Employer deems the Surveyor capable of passing the final Assessment and the SCS handout a referral “Are they saying that the employer’s judgement is not good enough in this circumstance” This is one of the main question in the survey to help the author refute or substantiate his hypothesis.

Commentary: As the findings show 54% of fellows and 47% of Associates surveyed felt that there was no risk of conflict while 33% & 33% felt that it may lead to conflict, 33% failed to respond. The author would have liked to have researched the area of the risk of conflict amongst employer and the SCS further if he had the time.


Q20 If you had the choice would you recommend the old or the new System?

Objective: To see where opinions lie in regard to the old or the new system being the preferred choice.

Commentary: As the findings show 40% of fellows and 49% of Associates surveyed felt that the former system was the better option, while 27% & 29% felt that the current system was the better one and 55% failed to respond.
6.3.1 Probationers

The author when formulating the questionnaire had perhaps a bias towards what information he was looking for from this group in particular because of hie probationers membership of the society.

Q12 Do you feel that you would benefit from a set template such as an excel programme with all templates set up and all necessary charts and graphs to aid you with the tracking of your competencies?

Objective: To try and asses the general levels of satisfaction towards the SCS amongst probationers, and to try and decipher a common theme amongst the survey results that may lead the author putting forward some real recommendations for improvements required by some of the younger members of the society.

Commentary: This question was very conclusive in its answers with 91% of the respondents agreeing; this leave’s little doubt in the authors mind that if the SCS were to implement a computer programme of sorts it may help mediate the costs and extra work load of the new system. The author is aware of a computer programme being sold through the APC centre website aimed at members of the RICS it may be worthwhile for the SCS to have a look at it.

Q13. Would you consider yourself to have a good working knowledge of the APC guides?

Objective: To try and asses the general levels of satisfaction towards the SCS amongst probationers, and to try and decipher a common theme amongst the survey results that may lead the author putting forward some real recommendations for improvements required by some of the younger members of the society.

Commentary: The majority of probationers 64% seemed happy enough that they have a good knowledge of the guides, and the author’s opinion is that the guides are very detailed and concise. The One comment that was made quite a lot was the lack of guides for the former system on the website for all the probationers currently fazing out on that system.

Q15. Do you fully understand what is required from you at interim and final assessment stage?

Objective: To try and asses the general levels of satisfaction towards the SCS amongst probationers, and to try and decipher a common theme amongst the survey results that may lead the author putting forward some real recommendations for improvements required by some of the younger members of the society.

Commentary: Again the vast majority 70% seem happy with this question there were however several comments that there should be a standard document for both so people can view them and get a “feel for what is required of them”

Q17. Did you/are you completing your first year of the APC while on your placement year?

Objective: To asses the uptake on the APC for year out and sandwich students.

Commentary: This was one fact that the author could not believe, as he was always of the opinion to get the first year of the APC out of the way while on your placement year, he was astounded to learn that 80% of the probationers in the society did not complete the first year of their APC while on placement. This may need to be something addressed between the relevant colleges and the SCS to improve and promote their marketability amongst the student population.

Q20. PQSL has increased from 48 hours to 96 hours during the minimum training period do you find this hard to achieve?

Objective: To asses if probationers are having difficulty in trying to achieve this level of PQSL.

Commentary: 61% of the respondents are finding it hard to try to meet with the 48 hours a year for the PQSL as already spoken about in chapter 5 on the former system it was 48 hours of PQSL over two years. In order for the SCS to try and combat this they should put downloadable links on the website of CPD talks set up CPD/PQSL packs ala the RICS.

Q21. Do you currently find it difficult to plot your experience against the competency planner?

Objective: Again to try and asses if the probationers have yet got to grips with the new system or are there still teething problems that need to be explained.

Commentary: With 52% of respondents still having issues with tracking their competency the author feels that the SCS may need to set up a few more seminars for those that have missed the previous ones.

Q22. Do you find that your supervisor and Counsellor endeavour to guide you through process and are of help in areas where you might be lacking?

Objective: To assess the level of satisfaction within company’s and offices.

Commentary: This response 74% seems to all but refute one of the author’s contentions that the new APC may lead to arguments between employers and employees.

Q23. Do you feel the mandatory competencies are common to your area of surveying?

Objective: To gain a Level of satisfaction with the format of the competencies.

Commentary: This seems to be fairly conclusive that 74% of those who participated were happy that the competencies were of the core of the Quantity Surveying industry.

Q24. Do you feel that the competencies are achievable within the 24 month minimum training period?

Objective: To asses if people were of the opinion that the two year training period was unrealistic and very hard to achieve the level required in all the competencies.

Commentary: 67% of probationers are of the opinion that the competencies are achievable and appears that they are happy with them.

Q25. Do you feel the reviews are of benefit to you?

Objective: To asses if the new system is aiding the probationer with their development and encourages them to mix with their supervisor on a regular basis.

Commentary: With a 68% response rate it seems like the reviews are of benefit to most probationers.

Q26. Do the reviews actually take place on their designated date?

Objective: To see if the new system has come on from the old where you would just run to your supervisor the day before hand and bulk sign all your material. If the reviews happen as they should do; there is no doubt that they would be of great benefit to the probationer.

Commentary: Looks like old habits die hard here, with 62% of probationers saying that the reviews never happen on time.

Q27 Do you feel that supervisors are lacking in their knowledge of the new system?

Objective: To asses whether or not if the supervisors have attended the SCS talk on the new APC format, and to see if they try to actively encourage the probationer.

Commentary: Looks like there is a need for more education within the SCS and time to enforce the fact that it is mandatory to attend the training meetings for the new system if you are a supervisor for probationers.

Q29. If you are aware of the format of the former APC which route would you choose?

Objective: To asses the overall opinions of members of the society as to which system they would prefer.

Commentary: The former system is just about edging it with all three members of the society, although it is hard to decipher whether the reason behind this is the fact that there was less work in the old system or people genuinely taught it was better method of assessment.