top of page

Digital Twins, AI and the future role of the ‘digital’ Cost Manager

  • Writer: Digital Twin Skills Academy CIC
    Digital Twin Skills Academy CIC
  • Apr 6
  • 3 min read




A ‘thought-leadership’ piece, by Dr Bola Abisogun OBE

 

The traditional role of the Quantity Surveyor (‘QS’) and specifically that of the ‘professional’ QS, has existed for some 157 yrs [since 1868] and largely been delivered in the same way, as a professional service. The evolution of this 'professional' role through and due to the impact of technological change and more recently rapid digitisation, has been a passion of mine for many years and, for so many reasons.

 

 


 


It is not that I disagree with the way that we do things (and have done since I graduated in 1994), it is simply that I believed then, and still know now, of a much ‘better way’ to create ‘evidence-based’ value, for our clients and the wider public [the latter, in the context of tax-payer funded projects].





 




This self-imposed challenge (of delivering ‘a better way’), remains a career-long endeavour that led me to establish #PQS2030 which was officially launched with Alan Muse FRICS (former, Global Director, Built Environment at RICS) on the 1st November 2019, at RICS HQ, London. The wider, fond and unwavering support of RICS colleagues, Andrew Knight and Prof Anil Sawhney FRICS has also been well received over the years.




 


Key focus / deliverables:

 

·      AI’s Impact on the QS Practitioner (the problem statement)

·      Ethical Considerations on AI-driven QS practice (the challenge)

·      The Role of Professional Standards regarding the use of AI (the key barriers)

·      Developing AI-literate ‘QS’ Professionals – Competency & Skills (CPD & Apprenticeships)

 

 


 

 

Largely from a UK perspective, allow me to set the scene and scale of the challenge for our profession, as seen through my own ‘lived experience’ during the last 30 years, and more recently, the tragedy of Grenfell Tower, since June 2017; (note: this solution could and will be, applied anywhere across the globe):








The problem statement:

Building Safety Act _ Golden Thread (UK)

Digital Twins _ Gateway Compliance (global adoption)

Decarbonisation _ Carbon Management (global targets)





The challenge:

Accuracy (‘real-time’ client facing value)

Accountability (regulatory / public interest)

Construction-phase risk (Gateway 3 compliance)

Speed / 'Real Time' insights (project profitability, for all stakeholders) 




The ‘key’ barriers:

Clients (lack of intelligence)

Implementation / Adoption (cost drivers)

Digital Skills (generally and often Contractor-led)

Governance & Enforcement (RICS / CIOB / Legislative etc)








 

The Digital Twin Skills Academy (Digital Engineering Apprenticeship, Level 3) September 2025

 

We are working with partners to prepare for the commencement of our inaugural cohort of apprentice learners, as we seek to create, an industry-led ‘digital cost management’ offer that will meet both current and future needs of the (UK) construction industry (with specific reference to the ‘QS’ profession).

 

Our apprenticeship offer will deliver [across three (3) levels] a tiered development and learning programme, which we see as the urgent and critical provision of a ‘basic level of knowledge’. Simultaneously, this course will also be offered to and delivered as an alternative CPD solution to the more mature industry artisan and aspiring professional keen to deliver better ‘site-based’ compliance during Gateway 3. With specific reference to the role of the ‘digital’ Cost Manager, my subject-matter expertise will be infused into our offer, in an attempt to introduce the learner (and wider construction sector) to the power and potential, of 'connected digital twins'. The critical role of 'information management' in seeking to deliver better and more robust (5D) Gateway 3 outcomes, will also help to improve productivity, mitigate errors and reduce waste for clients; watch this space!

 

Gateway Code Compliance _ Digital Cost Management [Apprenticeship]


The significance of the growing transition of the QS professional, into ‘digital construction’, has been beautifully articulated (below) by one of my followers, on LinkedIn _ posted just yesterday, on 05.04.25










 


 


Focus and key take aways (God willing) provided by my Keynote will incude:

 

·      AI’s Impact on Quantity Surveying Practice

·      The Role of Professional Standards in AI Adoption

·      Ethical Considerations in AI-Driven QS

·      Developing AI-Ready QS Professionals – Competency & Skills

·      The Future of AI in QS _ “what comes next? ….”

 



Conclusion:

Do get involved in the 'AI4QS' movement for change [or face getting left behind, with little to zero, competitive advantage] the QS profession has NO CHOICE, but to evolve …….. and the time is now.















 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page