AN APPRAISAL OF THE AWARENESS AND USE OF PLANNING SOFTWARE IN QUANTITY SURVEYING FIRMS IN KADUNA – NIGERIA

Construction industry is project oriented where each project is unique and could be properlyachieved through adequate planning. The tasks of planning have been carried out usingInformation Technology (IT). It has been established that construction industry is often describedas a slow adopter of new technology. This study therefore explores the level of awareness andapplications of planning software with their challenges among Quantity Surveying professionalspractising in Kaduna state. Data was collected fromthirty two (32) registered Quantity Surveyorspractising in the state who are members of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS).This study adopted a random sampling technique to retrieve relevant data from the firms withoutany form of bias using a structured questionnaire. Data retrieved was analysed using descriptivestatistics and means and relative importance index (RII) were computed. Results show that thereis a significant level of awareness by the respondents of planning software in Quantity Surveyingpractice. Unfortunately, there is poor provision of the common computer software in the firmswithin the state based on the types of packages used as relative important index reads 0.55 asmaximum. There is a good level of software usage based on the factors or indicators that candefine the usage with highest mean of 2.50. The study recommends the provision of an avenue fortraining professionals and organisations should provide adequate software so as to tap from thenumerous benefits of IT. Professional bodies should also encourage their members on the usageof the software through workshops, seminars and conferences.