APC: written submissions

Kipling’s six honest men

5 February 2013

Ewan Craig gathers tips on the written submission content of the APC and suggests how candidates can overcome potential pitfalls in everything from documenting their role to ensuring continuity

In previous articles (Ref 1), I looked at the areas of the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) where candidates have been referred, and offered general advice on how to succeed. This article draws on the experience of Stephen Parris and Nicola Woolford, both of whom you could find on your APC panel in 2013. It is aimed at candidates who are working towards their final submission but will also be of interest to supervisors, councillors and others as they review, support and guide candidates.

Historically, a small number of candidates have been referred on their written submission, i.e. critical analysis or professional development record. This could imply that many candidates meet or exceed the panel’s expectations with their submission. However, this is part of the evidence for the technical competencies that gives rise to the majority of referrals so the complete submission is significant.

RICS information on the written submission content must be followed – for example, the APC final assessment guide – so ensure that you provide everything required. This includes your:

  • APC logbook
  • Experience record
  • Professional development record
  • 3,000 word critical analysis report.

Potential pitfalls

An incomplete or inconsistent submission
Forward planning is essential to APC success and you should allow sufficient time to prepare a comprehensive and cohesive submission.

Not following RICS templates
Use the supplied templates and headings for the written submission. This makes it easier for the panel to assess your work and for you to check that the submission has addressed every requirement.

Not documenting your actual role
The panel will expect your submission to reflect your work and your role in it. Clearly show your detailed involvement; e.g. did you prepare a variation order or only assist? Honesty and clarity will avoid any ambiguities. Do write in the first person, so use ‘I’ rather than ‘we’.

Selecting a limiting project
Do not select a prestige project with which you had little involvement when another project better demonstrates your capabilities and will help the panel to assess you.

Unclear competencies and experience
Ensure that the submission demonstrates that you meet or exceed the expected competencies. It is unnecessary to cross reference every item to the competencies, but if this is unclear then redraft the work or include a simple note showing the correlation.

Poor presentation
Always present the work professionally (as if to a client) and use a report format in the critical analysis. Always check your spelling and grammar, and ask others to proof your work. Allow space in the report (e.g. a margin) for the panel to write notes.

Lack of balance
A concise, well-formed critical analysis should meet the 3,000-word limit. All reports will differ, but for guidance: an introduction (300-400 words), two main issues with options and solutions (700-900 words each) and a conclusion (800-1,000 words).

Preparing a narrative not a critical analysis
Be critical and show your analysis of a project in your submission. Rudyard Kipling’s ‘six honest serving men’ of What, Why, When, How, Where and Who are an apposite test of completeness.

Exaggerating an issue
Do not exaggerate a minor problem or contrive a key issue. Not every project will have an issue that is pivotal to the project, such as a bankruptcy. You could state what you learnt from the project processes and the rationale behind your decision-making.

Not asking for advice
If in doubt, ask your supervisor, councillor or APC doctor for advice. It may be helpful to your experience record to ask your supervisor why they think you are at a certain competency level and which aspects of your work demonstrate this.

Lack of continuity
The written submission helps to shape the interview and could include images, e.g. before and after pictures for a refurbishment project. Ensure continuity in the presentation, such as further pictures to show detail or progress.

However, the most vital item the panel wishes to see in the final submission is you and what you have done to become a chartered building surveyor – you are the most important of Kipling’s ‘six honest serving men’.

Thanks to Stephen Parris of Hurley Palmer Flatt and Nicola Woolford of CBRE for their input to this article.

Ewan Craig FRICS is a member of the Building Surveying Professional Group Board and Course Leader for the BSc (Hons) in Building Surveying at the College of Estate Management

Further information

Download a complete “APC: written submissions” PDF