Neels Smith, head of the projects and consulting services division at Technology Integrated Solutions (TIS0) says that the lack of standardisation in South Africa is seriously hampering the role of consultancy services in the electrical and other engineering industries.
TIS is a subsidiary of the Powertech Group’s company Abadare. "Suppliers providing the same services in the same field of engineering are applying different standards, all too often within the same organisation", says Smith.
Smith adds that regional and divisional differences in the interpretationof standards and specifications are common. "Unfortunately, personal preferences dictate what will apply in a specific region, area or field of expertise and all too often specifications are blatantly ignored.Consulting services aim to assist senior management to improve the effectiveness of corporate strategies, processes or operations by assessing business needs and reviewing business functions, plans and directions. Thelack of standardisation undermines this".
Smith also belives that quality perceptions vary to a large extent between consultants, employers and contractors. Material and process requirements, product specification and type testing are specified at tender stage but little is done to ensure that the specified products are actually supplied and installed to specification.
Often products with no proven record or proof of type and system tests are supplied and installed on face value.
An "if it looks the same it should perform" approach is often adopted and products at the decline phase of their technology life cycles are introduced as new technology into the local market and accepted as such.
Smith contends that consultants often award contracts to contractors with no proof of track record, competent technical staff, specified equipment, financial substance, quality processes or project management capabilities.
Contract awards are based on lowest tender value only, often resulting in project failure, long and costly legal battles, project implementation delays and customer dissatisfaction.
A major contributor to project failure is the lack of structured communication. Smith says compulsory site visits/meetings are poorly planned and managed, resulting in incomplete tender responses.
Responsibilities are poorly defined and recorded. Decisions made during meetings are not accurately recorded and communicated. The distribution of minutes is of secondary importance. Poor communication ultimately results in project failures and delays with huge cost implications.
"Sub-standard consulting services result mainly from the shortage of sufficiently qualified consultants, low expertise levels and ridiculous time lines set by employers", says Smith. He adds that (TIS) believes the key factor for successful consulting services is a well balanced, multi-skilled and multi-disciplined consulting team, responsible for performing all tasks through the full life cycle of the project.
Such responsibility accrues from tender stage to completion and covers site surveying, the design phase, procurement activities, planning and resource scheduling, products and systems tests, site logistics, installation and commissioning, quality control, progress reviewing, project status reporting, maintenance and customer support after project completion.
Contact Lisa Voudouris, Aberdare Cables, Tel 011 456-4413, lvoudouris@aberdare.co.za