A COMMON SINGLE STANDARD METHOD OF MEASUREMENT (SMM) FOR ASEAN COUNTRIES: AN ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVE

• Published in: Malaysian Construction Research Journal
• Main Author: Akbar A.R.N.; Sekak S.N.A.A.; Jamaludin S.Z.H.S.; Alih S.C.; Wahab S.R.H.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Construction Research Institute of Malaysia 2023
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85194560538&partnerID=40&md5=6ac532db5185273ce3e79b4fce59a335

Standard Method of Measurement (SMM) allows consistency in describing and measuring items, which indirectly serves as the basis for producing good construction procurement documentation. Developing a single common SMM for ASEAN countries might be a practical proposal that could be discussed and materialized. Referring to the philosophical aspects of the SMM, published and unpublished research indicate the presence of key players not underpinned by or committed to one standardized SMM. It was supported by informal exploratory study with few practitioners from ASEAN Countries. They claimed that in some countries, local SMMs are used or other countries’ SMMs are adopted, while some countries do not have any SMM to be utilised. Literature have indicated that many SMM versions are produced using updated or amended UK SMMs. With the formation of ASEAN Quantity Surveyors Association (AQSA), the reason why a single SMM is needed can be easily justified, especially with the possibilities of cross-ASEAN Quantity Surveyors (QS) practice is highly anticipated and fully expanded. This paper emphasizes the need of having a single common SMM for AQSA to be accepted and adopted by ASEAN practitioners. It is proposed that a focus group discussion to be held with various ASEAN participants. The results are expected to reveal SMM usage issues which will form the basis for the development of an SMM Framework. The proposed SMM framework is expected to be the first step in establishing collaboration between QS practices and academia in AQSA member countries before developing a single ASEAN-common SMM. © 2023, Construction Research Institute of Malaysia. All rights reserved.