Alternative method of taking off construction works using iTOS – CM

The process in preparing a complete Bill of Quantities (BQ), includes the taking off works. However, taking off is time consuming as the manual calculations are not systematic. This is more crucial as the time given to prepare the BQ is generally less than 2 weeks. Besides that, due to the global pandemic of Covid 19 which has caused the Malaysia government to implement Movement Control Order (MCO), thus working at home is a new norm instead of working at office. Due to this concern, an alternative system, named as iTOS – CM (Integrated Taking Off System for Construction Management) is designed to assist in taking off construction works, in specific for the structural quantities and eventually expedite the estimation of BQ. The coding interface of iTOS - CM is constructed from Microsoft Excel. Detailed manual of iTOS – CM application is compiled in a special design QR Code. The iTOS –CM template is tested by applying it with the real project and the results show that it improves taking off works. The effectiveness of this method is seen as having the potential to be introduced in the interactive teaching and learning for civil engineering course related, such as Civil Engineering Quantities and Estimation.