Effective & Efficient

Just back then, I have sat on exams on Measurement of Construction Works which one of core subjects to pursuing Diploma/Bachelor Degree in Quantity Surveying (QS). This subject which between the Diploma & Degree is not much different but it’s level of difficulties and time management.

As in Diploma, I’m already striving with the time so when it’s come to degree. Time is the top list that I need to be worrying about because I’m a slow hand writer. Even though, if we know the answer but you incapable to write it down. It’s mean nothing. Same goes if you do it on time but wrong, it’s also mean nothing.

The main concept in the exam is to be effective and efficient. As a Quantity Surveyor, the works need to completed on time but also correct in all matters. This is why; people said QS is very stressful works. To be an efficient and effective QS at the same time is very difficult.

Effective means do the right thing.

Efficient means do thing rightly.

As these terms seem very confusing as I and my roommate always exchange the meaning between them, I’ll give an example situation for each.

Effective: Your boss told you to make a coffee in 10 minutes and you actually make a delicious coffee for him but regardless the time taken for you to do it. (You follow the instruction and do it perfectly even though not fulfilling the time period criteria = effective)

Efficient: Your boss told you to make a coffee in 10 minutes and you make a delicious tea instead of coffee but in between 10 minutes. (Even though you did not do what your boss told you to, but you make the tea perfectly and between the time stipulated = efficient)

In a nut shell, efficient do with exactly or fewer resources needed to carry a task meanwhile effective do your exactly the task as you had been given.

These are important in management and to be understood for those to be a manager.

Back to my exam matters, in Degree of QS, they more likely want us to be effective and efficient student during answer in the MEASUREMENT OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS. You will be given marks depending on how many correct answers can you give in limited time where the task you need to be done is actually are a lot of them and sometime confusing.

It’s seem that I’m the worst taking offer ever since I’m incapable to be effective and efficient in the exam as only completed around 60% in the exam.

Here links on QS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantity_surveyor