Mr Chang Meng Teng, President of SPM

Ladies and Gentlemen

A very good evening to you. I am glad to be able to join you this evening for the Society’s 11th Annual Dinner.

Brighter Outlook for Construction Sector

2 The outlook for the construction sector is bright. The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) had revised this year’s construction demand forecast from between $12 and $13.5 billion, to between $14 and $16 billion. In the third quarter of this year, the contribution to GDP of the construction sector grew 1 per cent.

3 Project managers are important players in the construction industry, and I am sure these numbers spell good news for all of you. Not only will be there more construction activities in the next few years, there will also be a number of mega-projects such as the Business Financial Centre and the two Integrated Resorts.

Vital Role of Project Managers

4 As project managers, you would be cognisant of the challenges posed by the increasing complexities of construction projects today. Construction works are going higher above the ground, deeper into the ground, and closer to existing buildings. These projects require good coordination among the various specialists, and close working relationships with neighbouring developments and the relevant government agencies.

5 Your commitment to safety, and your active involvement in managing the complex work are therefore critical in ensuring the timely completion of projects. With the brisk pace at which our urban landscape is developing, you fulfil a vital role to help deliver the high quality built environment that we want for Singapore.

New QM/CONQUAS Supervisor and Manager Scheme

6 Let me take the opportunity this evening, to highlight the new initiatives that BCA will implement to raise the quality of our construction projects. BCA uses the CONQUAS and the Quality Mark schemes for the assessment of quality in the workmanship of buildings. Most developers, consultants and contractors are familiar with, and subscribe to these two schemes. As a result, the quality of our buildings has generally improved over the years.

7 The challenge going forward is to be able to consistently deliver high quality projects. I am told that there were situations in which firms achieved high CONQUAS scores in one project, but were unable to maintain it for their next project. Consistency in delivering quality projects is important, and can be developed into a competitive advantage for our construction industry.

8 To consistently achieve high CONQUAS scores, site supervisory and managerial personnel play a critical role. We need to expand the pool of competent site personnel, and instil in them the desire to continually upgrade their professional knowledge.

9 To this end, BCA has formulated a scheme to recognise site personnel who have acquired specialised knowledge and experience in CONQUAS and Quality Mark (QM) standards. Two categories of site personnel will be given recognition - the site supervisors and site management staff. The QM/CONQUAS Supervisor Scheme has just been introduced, and BCA intends to launch the QM/CONQUAS Manager Scheme in January next year.

10 Certified site personnel will be accorded the title of QM/CONQUAS Specialists. To qualify, they will be required to satisfy a set of training requirements, and to possess a track record of supervising projects that have attained Quality Mark or high CONQUAS scores. The certification will be valid for three years, and can be renewable based on the performance of these Specialists in projects with Quality Mark or high CONQUAS scores.

Role of SPM

11 I urge the Society to play an active role in supporting the QM/CONQUAS Supervisor and Manager Scheme. I wish to see that you will lead in the pursuit of consistent quality and that all your members obtained certification. The Society should continue its good work in organising professional education programmes to keep the members abreast of the latest developments. Let the continuous strive for excellence be a hallmark of Project Managers in Singapore.

Conclusion

12 In conclusion, let me emphasize again the importance of your role in helping Singapore achieve our vision of a high quality built environment that will make our city distinctive and attractive. Consistently high-quality projects will serve as a testimony of your unwavering efforts towards promoting professionalism in your industry.

13 I wish you an enjoyable evening. Thank you.

>>back to top