QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA) AS APPLIED IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
For many years now, the construction industry has been struggling with quality issues. The concept of quality assurance has been introduced but for the industry the application of quality assurance requires an approach that could meet the needs and expectations of the industry. The paper provides information of how quality assurance concept is integrated with the construction industry and what standards that determined quality systems and quality requirements the construction industry conforms to.
Quality Assurance in the Construction Industry
According to Harrison (2005), quality assurance (QA) is about being in control of the key processes of the business in order to assure quality. These planned and systematic processes provide confidence of the effectiveness of a product or service. QA requirements also deals with meeting recognised and industry-accepted set of standards that the construction project will fulfill requirements for quality. As such, QA focuses on contingencies and requirements that ensure continuous improvement of quality is achieved.
In construction context, the need for QA is relatively easy to demonstrate because of the high cost of quality-related issues. Examples of these are lawsuits, project delays, finger pointing and lost time among others. Quality procedures within the industry involve properly managed quality system that includes document control, audits, non-conformance tracking, corrective action and preventive action (CAPA) and management review (Harrison, 2005).
The QA concept was developed to reflect both the needs for managing the level of risks associated with projects and the ability of the industry stakeholders to incorporate QA processes into the business practice. For the industry, QA is the concrete manifestation of satisfactory evidence based on contractual situations that quality end-results, works and services are achieved consistent with the requirements of the customers as well as the standards (Quality Assurance, 2007).
Quality Standards: Requirements and Systems
The development of QA systems within the construction industry is a bit blurry. One of the most utilisable quality assurance models for the construction industry is that of Deming’s. Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle explains that within the industry processes must be documented by means of quality procedures and quality plans. Working systematically is achieved through following procedures and then eventually verifying the processes via quality audits and documenting non-conformances. Finally, acting upon results is evident by the implementation of CAPA and conducting of management reviews (Harrison, 2005).
Nonetheless, there are no specified standards that are suitable for the distinctive requirements of the construction industry. ISO 9000 quality system is the only quality assurance standard available to the industry which sets the requirements and systems. Quality system requirements specified in the ISO 9000 family of standards and in particular ISO 9001 and ISO 9002 are interpreted element by element in the context of building construction (Chung, 1999, p. 18).
ISO 9001 is perceived to be more appropriate for businesses that engage in design and construction projects whereas building contractors work to a design by architects and engineers and their quality system are modeled on ISO 9002. As such, depending on the design of permanent works which forms the companies’ activities, quality system of building construction could either conform to ISO 9001 or ISO 9002.
For the construction industry, QA requirements include management responsibility, quality systems, contract review, design control, document and data control, purchasing, control of customer supplied product, product identification and traceability, process control, inspection testing, control of inspection, measuring and test equipment, inspection and test status, control of non-conforming product, corrective and preventive action, handling, storage, packaging, preservation and delivery, control of quality records and internal quality audits.
Atkinson (1995) outlines the quality systems for construction that embraces system should take into account all functions and site work instructions should be put in paper in simple form for operatives. Efficient storage and retrieval system must be in place so that records could be presented easily and be regarded as objective evidences. When faults are discovered or defects are reported, there should be equally efficient corrective action processes in a prompt manner. Corrective actions must be recorded also. The material supplied must be also subject to control over quality and should be supported by written control procedures. Moreover, certificate of practical completion must be evident as well. Periodic checks and systematic reviews are essential in maintaining any quality system (Atkinson, 1995, p. 54).
In the British Standards, on the other hand, the scope of QA has been widened. It now covers the concept of total quality management (TQM), recognising that an organisation to be efficient, every part of its business should work towards the same goal (Atkinson, 1995, p. 53). For Pheng and Teo (2003), however, the TQM concept is closely related to the principles of ISO 9000:2001 and that the standard aimed at helping construction companies to strive towards TQM.
Application of Quality Assurance in the Construction Industry
Tovey (1994, pp. 22-23) emphasise that the legitimacy of applying QA concepts in the construction industry lies on the concept of institutionalization. The inherent formalised approach entails that quality processes are in fact a crucial part of nature of the construction industry. Since the construction industry generally deals with large scale projects but with limited time to complete, there are several quality requirements that must be applied. Unique to this business also is a clear, identifiable goal which is virtually embedded on quality technical and financial objectives that could only be accomplished via sound QA systems/programmes.
The relevance of QA in the construction industry is basically vested on ensuring the quality of a technical product while also guaranteeing its commercial viability (p. 28). Provided also that for construction the “unequivocal nature of the desired end product” (p. 24), quality could never be compromised, making certain that conformity is an essential requirement in the construction setting. The applicability of industry-based QA system requires the involvement of professionals from planning down to the final stage. Further, construction works are very dependent on the materials aside from the people who utilise it. QA systems deal with formalised procedures that bind people and these materials as well as the necessary equipments and machineries so as to avoid work-, people- and health-related dilemmas.
The ability of the suppliers to deliver on time and the condition of the products concerned is also of significance because of its direct effect on the construction work and eventually the quality of the outcomes. In ensuring effective delivery of materials and the relative acceptance in the site, the requirement for sound QA is also employed. Moreover, contractor, along with its activities and the monitoring of such activities, is other important aspect that could further determine the quality of the results of any construction project (p. 28).
The application of the concept of QA in the construction industry takes a holistic, participative approach whereby the central idea is to put quality in every stage of the construction with the help of a manpower that also conforms to the principles of quality assurance. As such, the people working in building construction and in any construction project are obliged to practice quality procedures and comply with quality systems which serve as the blue print for quality management. The premise is central on ensuring compliance with relevant laws and standards by means of establishing and continuously improving appropriate and effective quality management systems within the construction industry.
Reference
Atkinson, G 1995, Construction Quality and Quality Standards: The European Perspective, Taylor and Francis.
Chung, H W 1999, Understanding Quality Assurance in Construction: A Practical Guide to ISO 9000 for Contractors, Taylor and Francis.
Harrison, J 2005, Construction Quality Assurance, White Paper.
Pheng, L S and Teo, J A 2003, Implementing Total Quality Management in Construction through ISO 9001:2001, Architectural Science Review, vol. 46, no. 2, pp. 159+.
Quality Assurance – Contractor Prequalification Building Construction Projects 2007.
Tovey, P 1994, Quality Assurance in Continuing Professional Education: An Analysis, Routledge, New York.
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