In today’s construction industry, even the smallest technical detail can determine the financial outcome of a large-scale project. Baumer, an engineering systems design and installation company, has responded to this challenge with an innovative approach by transforming the British management model of the Quantity Surveyor (QS) into an independent, strategic function within the organization. Leading this direction is Ana Tabatadze, whose primary objective is to optimize profitability and minimize risks. How is the role of the Quantity Surveyor taking root in Georgia, and what positions Baumer at the forefront of this transformation? Ana Tabatadze shares her professional experience.
The technical world has always been the most natural and comfortable environment for me. From an early age, where others simply saw numbers and formulas, I saw new opportunities and exciting challenges. It would be fair to say that my mind has always been engaged in a continuous process of analysis and discovery.
At the same time, I was constantly drawn to creative pursuits. I tried everything—painting, singing, playing musical instruments, and even writing poetry. Alongside these interests, I immersed myself in books on psychology, philosophy, and religion. Ultimately, however, I decided to remain a devoted admirer of the arts while cultivating within myself the kind of “technical creativity” that came most naturally to me and best reflected my strengths.
Considering my technical abilities and the realities of the time, I chose to study Business and Economics based on my family’s advice. Looking back today, I can clearly see that this decision became the perfect foundation for the professional path I follow now.
At first, I simply went with the flow for a while. At the age of 20, I started my first stable job as an accounting intern at one of the country’s major companies. My ability to adapt impressed the team so much that I was soon offered a full-time position as an accountant. I spent five years in this field, but my curious nature could not be satisfied by recording and tracking numbers alone. Together with friends, I launched a small business, actively participated in startup programs, and even won several grant competitions.
I discovered my true professional identity when I joined a construction company. It was there that I realized the combination of financial expertise and a technical environment was the perfect fit for me. At the time, the company’s CEO was implementing a British management model in which the role of the Quantity Surveyor (QS) is critically important. He recognized my potential and decided that I should take on that role. That is how I transitioned from accounting to a QS position.
It was a tremendous challenge. I had to learn how to read technical drawings, understand construction processes, and master numerous technical details that I had never encountered before. However, because every construction project is unique and there is no such thing as routine, this continuous learning process quickly became my comfort zone.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the construction company suspended its operations. For a time, I returned to a financial role in the insurance industry, but I soon realized that I could not stay away from the construction sector for long. After a brief period working for a development company, I eventually found my place at Baumer.
I initially joined Baumer as a Cost Estimator. Soon afterward, we had a strategic discussion about the importance of the Quantity Surveyor role within a contracting company. Our visions aligned perfectly. I immediately recognized that this was a company, like me, focused on growth and continuous development. I received constant support from the Head of the Finance Department in implementing my ideas. As a result, we successfully established the QS function at Baumer as a separate and independent unit.
Today, my primary responsibility is profit optimization—maximizing the company’s revenue while minimizing costs. I am actively involved in every stage of project execution. Under the British model, a Quantity Surveyor essentially serves as the financial manager of a project. In this role, my background in accounting gives me a significant advantage because I know exactly how to build systems that deliver the most accurate and reliable data.
At this stage of my career, my greatest motivation is to promote the Quantity Surveyor profession in the Georgian market and increase awareness of its value. At Baumer, we have already taken major steps in this direction. I once stood at a crossroads where I could have chosen from many different professions, but I chose construction—a field in which I see myself completely and wholeheartedly, giving nothing less than 100 percent of my potential.