Exclusive Neuroject Article: What distinguishes the good from the terrible is quality. Quality determines how we and others perceive us in both our personal and professional lives. To put it briefly, it dictates our feelings about our work at the end of the day.
This also applies to construction, where the key to obtaining the best possible quality for any project is putting procedures and standards in place to guarantee that they are followed. We’ll go in-depth on how to guarantee the highest caliber of work on your upcoming building project.
Upholding quality standards is a top priority in the building industry. One of the most important parts of any project is quality control since working capital for construction companies is based on the caliber of their output.
Excellent final results can lead to optimum cost control and recurring business. On the other hand, a subpar job can harm a construction company’s reputation, result in additional construction expenditures, and have other detrimental effects on the company as a whole.
In addition to wasting time, resources, and materials, low-quality work has an impact on safety and communication. Sufficient construction quality management protocols enhance the productivity of building projects and have the potential to instill elevated standards across the entire firm.
Table of Contents
What is Construction Quality Management?
A management technique called construction quality management works to make sure the finished product satisfies the requirements and specifications set forth by the client. This entails finishing the job within the allocated time frame and preventing disagreements at every stage of the undertaking. The client, governmental organizations, and policy and environmental requirements all define quality. A construction quality management plan contains documentation for each of these procedures and requirements for quality assurance.
Quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) are the two facets of construction quality management. The standards and methods for achieving quality are established by quality assurance and construction quality management. Controlling quality is the strategy to get there. Throughout the whole project, the construction quality control manager oversees and implements this quality management strategy. Maintaining accurate project tracking and monitoring is the key to construction quality management.
Construction Quality Assurance VS. Quality Control
Establishing a construction quality management consists of two steps. The processes of quality assurance and control are distinguished from one another.
The activities and procedures utilized to fulfill the project’s quality criteria are the main focus of construction quality assurance (QA). Usually, it leads to the adoption of protocols, certifications, or even audits.
Contrarily, construction quality control (QC) addresses the end product by enabling the verification that all specifications are fulfilled.
The quality control experts monitor the site’s development at each level, assessing and modifying the construction plans as necessary, and guaranteeing adherence to the project’s budget and material quality. To put it briefly, quality control (QC) enables the determination of whether corrective actions are required to meet the requirements outlined in the project specifications.
Due to its connection to the project’s contractual requirements, quality control is an essential procedure. QC has several crucial components, including:
- Define and frame the acceptance criteria, namely, what is desired, and what is and is not acceptable.
- Plan the numerous inspection sessions and specify what will be checked at each one.
- Have precise and detailed checklists during each inspection so as not to miss anything.
- Correct and adjust defects to ensure that everything is by the acceptance criteria.
- Anticipate future defects by adjusting the construction quality process (identified cause, addition to checklist, addition to inspection plan, etc.) and by effectively sharing the information associated with any adjustment.
Different Stages of a Construction Project Where Quality Management is Important
Quality control is a crucial component of construction and should be taken into account at every stage of the process, from planning and design to building and finishing. Acknowledging the significance of quality control can result in cost savings, enhanced efficiency, and safer building projects. The following are the several phases of a building project where construction quality management is crucial:
Planning and Design: To guarantee that the project is viable, that the plans and specifications are precise and comprehensive, and that the materials and equipment required for the project satisfy the requirements, quality control is crucial throughout this phase.
Pre-Construction: To make sure the site is ready and that all the permissions and approvals have been received, quality control is crucial before the start of construction. It is vital to guarantee that the materials and equipment utilized in the project are of the appropriate quality and fulfill the construction quality management.
Construction: To guarantee that the work is completed by the plans and specifications, that the tools and materials used follow safety regulations, and that the craftsmanship is up to par, construction quality management throughout this phase. To find and fix any problems, testing and inspections should be done regularly.
Completion: Construction quality management is essential during the completion stage to ensure that the finished project meets the client’s requirements and that the work has been completed according to the plans and specifications. It is necessary to perform the last examination to find and fix any problems.
Post-Construction: To make sure the building is safe and satisfies the necessary standards, construction quality management is needed at this phase. To make sure the building is suitable for its intended purpose and to find any problems that might need to be fixed, it should be tested and examined.
All things considered, construction quality management is a continuous process that needs to be taken into account during the building project. To guarantee that the project is finished to the necessary standards and that the result is safe, effective, and satisfies the needs of the client, routine testing, inspections, and monitoring should be carried out.
Benefits of Construction Quality Management
For a project to be completed successfully, contractors need to comprehend the value of construction quality management and apply it throughout the project. Every construction project must have quality control to succeed, and it has many advantages. These advantages include:
1. Enhanced Safety
By spotting and eliminating any possible risks that can appear throughout the building process, construction quality management helps to guarantee the safety of everyone participating in the project. This involves making certain that the requisite standard of workmanship is met and the materials utilized are of the appropriate quality.
2. Enhanced Efficiency
The building process can be made more efficient by ensuring that the work is completed by the plans and specifications thanks to construction quality management. As a result, the project might be finished on schedule and budget.
3. Cost Savings
By preventing expensive errors and rework, construction quality management helps save time and money. Early problem detection and correction can keep problems from growing larger and more expensive as the project progresses.
4. Improved Product Quality
Construction quality management works to guarantee that the final product satisfies the client’s needs and expectations. Additionally, it aids in ensuring that the tools and materials utilized fulfill the requirements, producing a higher-quality product with a longer lifespan and less maintenance.
5. Improved Reputation
Construction quality management helps to ensure that the project is constructed in compliance with the necessary guidelines and standards, which can benefit both the contractor and the business.
6. Observance of Standards
By ensuring that the project is constructed by industry and legal standards, quality control helps avert legal problems and conflicts that may arise from non-compliance.
The benefits of construction quality management include enhanced project success, cost savings, safety, and efficiency. In construction, quality control can help to improve the project’s final result in several ways by preventing expensive errors and rework, including:
7. Identifying and Correcting Errors Early On
During the planning, design, and construction phases of a project, construction quality management inspections and testing can assist in locating and resolving any faults or discrepancies that may arise before they turn into more serious and expensive issues down the road.
8. Improving Workmanship
Regular testing, monitoring, and inspections are examples of construction quality management procedures that can assist in guaranteeing that the job is completed by the plans and specifications and that the craftsmanship meets the necessary standards. By doing this, it may be possible to prevent expensive errors and the need for rework if the workmanship is subpar.
9. Using the Right Materials
It is possible to make sure that the materials used in the project are of the right quality and satisfy the requirements by implementing construction quality management procedures like materials testing and inspections. By doing this, you may assist in preventing expensive errors and rework that would be necessary if the materials are subpar.
10. Properly Preparing the Site
Construction quality management methods, including as testing and site inspections, can aid in guaranteeing that the site is appropriately prepared and that all required permissions and approvals have been secured. By doing this, you may assist in preventing expensive errors and rework that would be necessary if the site is not ready.
11. Meeting the Client’s Requirements
Regular customer testing and inspections are examples of construction quality management procedures that can help guarantee that the project satisfies the client’s needs and expectations. This might lessen the likelihood of expensive errors and the need for rework if the client is not happy with the final product.
12. Compliance with Standards
Construction quality management procedures like routine testing and inspections can guarantee that the project is constructed following industry and legal requirements, averting legal problems and conflicts that may arise from non-compliance and expensive rework.
To guarantee construction quality management, it is essential to have enough resources, training, coordination, communication, and risk management. Quality control can help guarantee that the project is finished to the necessary standards, within budget, and on schedule by spotting and fixing errors early on, enhancing workmanship, using the right materials, properly preparing the site, meeting the client’s requirements, and adhering to standards.
What are the Common Construction Quality Management Issues?
Three general categories can be used to categorize quality control problems in the construction industry.
1. Building or Structural Quality Issues
The building or structure’s design falls under the first category. These problems are frequently associated with faults in structural engineering and design, including inappropriate layout, poor material selection during construction, and insufficient design.
2. Quality Issues with Construction Materials
Construction-related materials and procedures are included in the second category. It involves incorrect component assembly, inadequate construction quality management throughout production, and poor material selection. Among the problems with building materials are:
- The over-consumption and waste generation of these materials during their production process.
- The lack of construction quality management in their manufacturing process results in low-quality materials.
- The lack of transparency in the supply chain, including subcontractor mishandling and supplier/vendor failures.
- Substandard materials do not meet local or international construction product regulations or standards.
3. Poor Workmanship in the Construction Industry
Since the beginning of the construction industry, poor craftsmanship has been a problem, and these issues should never be ignored. In construction, poor workmanship and a lack of effort toward construction quality management can lead to expensive flaws such as corrosion, mold growth, plumbing problems, and even injuries, fatalities, and structural damage to the structure or site.
Fundamental Factors That Affect Construction Quality Management
Here are some factors that affect construction quality:
1. Subcontractor Mishandling
A study found that human error is responsible for more than half of building problems. When you bring on new hires who lack the necessary training and competence, you run the risk of having workmanship problems that go unnoticed for years. So, always make sure to teach your just-hired staff members.
It’s also critical to screen your new subcontractors and other labor suppliers to make sure they are providing competent laborers who can recognize and correct their errors. Independent audits of your subcontractor’s performance are a must, whether you are the project manager or the contractor. By doing this, you’ll be able to identify any problems as soon as possible and address them right away.
2. Damaged and Low-Quality Materials
Widespread problems with building quality can be caused by undersized tree lumber, excessive amounts of sand and water in the concrete mix, and incorrectly graded steel. In addition to failing quickly, these materials have the potential to react unexpectedly during construction, posing a risk to worker safety. Sparks can burn into the air, and a structure that can’t support its weight can fall and injure workers.
Make sure you place your orders with the most reliable builders’ suppliers. Additionally, designate a construction quality management officer from one of your crews to conduct routine inspections of each material shipment. Completing all of these steps may be the sole method to ensure that a project is given correctly.
3. Supplier and Vendor Failures
Issues with your suppliers and vendors may arise even in cases when the building materials are not the cause of any quality concerns. If so, it may result in decreased quality and maybe increased expenses. Requests for time-consuming rework and disgruntled customers may result from substituting some specified building supplies with inferior brands.
Therefore, be far more specific in defining what you anticipate from your suppliers and do sporadic, regular checks to see if they are still abiding by the terms of the agreement. In the middle of the construction project, it is your responsibility to locate new vendors or suppliers. However, keep in mind that the objective is to greatly enhance construction quality management.
4. Failure to Document Changes and Even Practices
Certain quality problems are not immediately related to a modification in the design or a particular error. The primary cause of this is that specific change documentation is missing. Failure to provide updates regarding the final documents may lead to improper management from the maintenance team if the material is already being submitted for another with a different replacement cycle and maintenance.
Use project scheduling software to ensure that there are no excuses for postponing updates to drawings and other crucial files. This software makes tracking and updating project documents easier.
5. Last-Minute Changes
Last-minute alterations could cause major construction quality management problems if crucial elements are still being considered and engineered in the later stages of the construction process. For example, a fatal collapse occurs in one of your projects due to a last-minute modification made to a specific design. You must establish dates by which designs will no longer be editable. Make sure you provide extra time for testing and validating any changes you make to your current designs, as well as for extending the deadlines.
6. Scope Creep
Construction projects typically start considerably smaller and simpler than they end up. Have you worked on a project where the intended one-lane bridge became a multi-lane highway? And the shopping complex turns into a three-level mall? The term “scope creep” refers to these unforeseen growth and modifications.
While it is common for all construction projects to undergo several adjustments over time as new information about prices, schedule, and site constraints becomes available, the problem is when project scope growth results in changing corners. This is an attempt to extend the financial and time constraints.
Controlling the project’s scope guarantees that you can continue to produce work of the same caliber throughout.
7. Miscommunication between your Teams
Numerous studies about the construction industry indicate that communication problems are frequently cited by project managers as the primary source of quality concerns. Since the construction business is one of the fastest-growing in the world, many issues it faces today are essentially global.
Assess whether there is a communication breakdown between you and your team members as the team leader in construction. Frequently, poor communication results in the following:
- Misapplication of new tactics
- Mismatched materials of all sorts
- The lack of secondary and final testing that helps in discovering current problems
In your workplace, be sure that communication is given top priority. To enhance communication between you and the teams you collaborate with on a given construction project, specialized software tools made for construction crew management are perfect.
8. Complexity of Designs
Superfluous complexity is the main adversary of excellent work. Modern structures and commercial construction projects will always involve some degree of complexity, but you should try to minimize complicated features and methods.
Simpler designs are far more economical and provide you with a larger profit margin while generating work of a higher caliber.
9. Ignored Audits and Testing
Certain construction corporations frequently adhere rigorously to third-party testing and auditing procedures, yet they disregard the tests’ primary findings. The worst part is that they carried on despite some poor designs and problems with the construction quality management.
To address these problems, you must have an appropriate quality control designation. It is also beneficial to have a well-defined workflow, particularly concerning supplies. Decide who is responsible for reading and keeping track of the audit and test reports to ensure that important details about construction quality management concerns are not missed.
10. Lack of Project Management Software
A cloud-based project management tool assists you in figuring out the best times to check the work you’ve already finished for mistakes and omissions. Your construction company might be taking too long to perform the essential inspections on each job if you don’t have a thorough strategy and a system in place for construction quality management and control.
Using mobile application-based specialist software is a more expedient and adaptable approach to managing your ongoing building projects.
How to Improve Construction Quality Management
Making a construction quality management plan requires a substantial yet valuable investment of time. These 5 tips will help you get started.
1. Use Standardized Quality Control Checklists
Checklists for construction quality management standardize the process for your team and ensure that no important step is overlooked during inspections.
Construction quality management checklists should be a routine component of your daily reporting procedure, regardless of whether you make your own or use prewritten alternatives. Ascertain:
- Which tasks need an associated checklist?
- Who will complete the checklist?
- When does completing the checklist make sense?
- Who is responsible for the review?
2. Document Observations in Detail
Any excellent observations your team makes on the construction site should be meticulously documented. Provide a space on quality checklists where staff members can annotate observations to clarify any steps that cannot be recognized as completed. Whenever feasible, encourage them to attach images and videos for better clarity.
With a thorough observation to go by, the quality manager or other stakeholder in charge of going over the checklist will be able to identify the issue and get to work right away fixing it.
Observations can also be used in addition to checklists. Give staff members without checklists a quick option to notify the relevant construction quality management issues at any time.
3. Create a Quality Management Plan
Write your construction quality management strategy after you’ve decided how observations and checklists will be managed.
You will be able to communicate more effectively if you create a flow chart, standard operating procedure, or any other kind of document that outlines the technique for using checklists and observations to detect and resolve construction quality management concerns.
Get input from your stakeholders after they’ve reviewed the plan. Once authorized, distribute the plan to your team and ensure they know how to obtain and submit checklists and other materials.
4. Analyze Trends
After you start implementing your construction quality management plan, keep an eye on its performance.
Examine observation data and checklists to find patterns and common problems. To address recurring pain points, you might need to make changes to the plan or implement new tactics.
In the construction industry, construction quality management is a continuous process. Your business should expand and change as your plan does.
5. Use Construction Quality Management Software
Investing in quality management software is one of the simplest methods to enhance construction quality management at your company. With digital documentation, you may avoid introducing laborious and complex paper processes to prevent quality problems and save time.
In the field, mobile checklists and observations are simple to complete and can be promptly shared with the office. Additionally, digital data may be automatically organized and analyzed using software, which can save a tonne of work hours.
You won’t have to stress about defining your procedure either thanks to software. Having an efficient construction quality management system will assist you in streamlining your processes.
How to Make a Construction Quality Management Plan
A construction quality management strategy must consider some issues. To prevent you from overlooking any crucial stages, below is a list:
1. Quality Control Manager
Assign a manager of quality control to oversee the endeavor. The client must be informed about this person’s identity and qualifications for the job. The quality manager oversees daily field operations and directs all quality management efforts. The duties of the quality manager and their collaboration with the other members of the team must be outlined in the construction quality management plan.
2. Communications
The topic of construction quality management ought to be covered throughout the entire conversation. Reports, test results, and other inspection data you provide to your client should include construction quality management. A communications guideline outlining the frequency and mode of this communication must be included in your construction quality control strategy.
3. Surveillance
Make sure your plan for construction quality management includes monitoring. Your client needs to know how you plan to keep an eye on quality. Choose what and how you’ll be monitoring, as well as how often you’ll conduct surveillance. Provide specifics on this in the strategy for construction quality control.
4. Suppliers and Subcontractors
Initially, let your client know which providers and materials are being used. You must include selection criteria for suppliers and subcontractors in your construction quality management plan, as these are companies that fall outside of your authority. This covers both the pricing and, of course, whether they are meeting your expectations for quality.
5. Project Quality Specifications
This is where you collect client specifications and expectations for the quality of the finished build. But you’ll also want to go beyond their needs and address specifications from building codes and industry standards. Lay it all out so there’s no confusion on why the work was done the way it was done.
6. Inspections and Tests
Inspect each phase of the construction as part of the overall construction project management of your build. Conduct tests to verify the quality of material used or the functioning of construction quality management systems. List the inspections and tests you will perform over the life cycle of the construction project, including the forms and test results you’ll use.
7. Control of Non-Conformances
Nothing in construction ever goes exactly as planned. To keep the project’s overall quality high, you must have a plan in place for handling unexpected situations. A decision log or other record detailing these modifications and their implementation should also exist.
8. Project Completion Inspections
Any construction project has inspections at various stages, but the most important one is the final one. This is the section where you describe the methodology for the construction management inspection, which includes the punch list and last walkthrough with the customer.
14 Construction Quality Management Software
Here are some examples of Construction Quality Management Software to choose from:
1. GCPay
In the construction industry, a project’s cash outflow might be above 75% due to the payment application processes! The pay app procedures between your subcontractors and general contractors are made simpler with GCPay.
By automating the process, their SaaS platform helps you to collect and arrange compliance paperwork, enhance subcontractor communication, and generate and exchange lien waivers. To save time and expedite your subcontractors’ payment, integrate directly with your construction ERP.
2. Revizto
Create, manage, and track design issues based on models with ease. The project team can instantly access and utilize BIM intelligence thanks to Revizto’s unification. Project team members can recognize and handle model-based issues in 3D space, on 2D sheets, and by addressing clash groups from Navisworks with Revizto’s sophisticated Issue Tracker. Revizto lets users follow along or answer problems in real-time on any device, even in virtual reality!
3. eSUB
Cloud-based and mobile construction quality management tool, eSUB Cloud, is designed exclusively for commercial subcontractors. Construct, save, retrieve, and evaluate all of your information, files, and actions from any platform or place. Applications for handling submittals, change orders, RFIs, daily reports, field notes, POs, correspondence, time cards, and more are included in eSUB Cloud’s extensive platform. It also integrates with solutions for accounting, design, and drawing management.
4. Corecon
For expanding engineering and construction companies, Corecon is a full suite of cloud-based construction management software. With modules for contract administration, procurement, time tracking, communication, document management, construction quality management, scheduling, and external team cooperation, the system offers total visibility into every aspect of a business’s operations. You can use a mobile device (Android and iOS) or a browser to visit Corecon.
5. AccuBuild
The cloud-based software suite offered by AccuBuild’s construction quality management system is completely integrated and intended to assist contractors of all sizes in standardizing and automating workforce, financial, and operational procedures. Accounting, Project Management, Document Management, Mobile Field Applications, and Business Analytics are all included in the suite.
6. Procore
Use Procore to streamline the building construction quality management process. Using a top-rated construction management platform, you can manage the construction process, reduce risk, and safeguard earnings. By handling every aspect of your project from the palm of your hand, you can complete tasks on schedule and under budget. Subcontractors, general contractors, and developers can work together to manage construction projects from bid to build with the aid of Procore.
7. budget4cast
Feature-rich, a cloud-based program for monitoring construction project budgets. For owners and project managers looking for an easy way to manage project finances, budget4cast is a low-cost budget management app. Developers, owners’ representatives, and other construction industry professionals who use our software indicate that monitoring their project budgets takes 60–70% less time and effort than juggling intricate spreadsheets.
8. SiteMax Systems
Construction quality management software that is simple to use and implement, SiteMax is ideal for small to medium-sized general contractors, subcontractors, and developers who employ between 10 and 200 people. The easiest way to gather information in the field and monitor progress in the office for commercial, high-rise, multi-family, and light industrial projects is to use SiteMax. Just the things you require are included here: RFIs, Change Orders, Daily Reports, Safety, Digital Timecards, Pictures, Equipment, Punch Lists, Tasks, Documents, and more.
9. Quickbase
The construction quality management software Quickbase ensures that the appropriate information reaches the right people at the right time. Quickbase is used by construction organizations to manage their projects, centralize data, and increase productivity and deeper understanding. With features like CRM, Project Management, Service Requests, Employee Management, Order Management, and more, Quickbase is an end-to-end solution. You don’t even need to know how to code to create it all.
10. IVO Systems
A powerful software solution for construction operations, IVO Systems comes with several user-friendly, mobile-friendly modules. The goal of IVO Systems is to close the information gap that exists between the field and the office. Among the solutions offered by IVO Systems are Dispatch Ticket Management, Employee Project Scheduling, Preventative Maintenance and Work Orders, Equipment Inspection Forms, Field Reporting, Rental Equipment Information, and 811 Info.
11. Asite
Construction quality management is made easier with Asite’s construction management software. You can instantly see the state of your project by organizing all of your project’s data into a safe, cloud-based platform. Also, the automation and control tools to maintain the progress of your project. The only software that allows you to configure processes, forms, and reports indefinitely is Asite, allowing you to operate however you see fit. Cost-effective for contractors, with no limit on users or storage.
12. Aurigo Masterworks
For capital infrastructure and private owners, Aurigo offers cutting-edge, cloud-based solutions that enable them to plan with assurance, construct with excellence, and effectively manage their assets. It guarantees large-scale capital projects are completed on schedule and within budget, lowers risks, and simplifies their complexity. It runs on AWS and is accessible from any device. It interacts with current IT settings and offers simplicity, automation, and flexibility.
13. ProjectTeam.com
ProjectTeam.com is construction quality management software customized to your needs. You can quickly add your own custom forms, processes, reports, print templates, and more in addition to common forms like RFIs, Submittals, Contracts, and Change Orders. You are not restricted to what ProjectTeam.com offers by default. ProjectTeam.com can be expanded to accommodate all of your specific project and organizational requirements. It is also possible to integrate with other essential apps for your business.
14. Jonas Enterprise
With accounting, construction quality management, and service management built right in, Jonas Enterprise provides a construction management solution all in one. For medium- to large-sized specialty contractors only. seeking reliable financial & reporting systems to standardize business procedures and close books more quickly with fewer manual errors, such as general, mechanical, electrical, HVAC, or plumbing. Monitor purchase orders, and keep tabs on all of your labor, supplies, vendors, tools, and machinery to oversee all of your tasks from any location.
Conclusion
Construction quality management is a system of management that ensures that deliverables meet the standards and guidelines set by the client at the beginning of the construction process. This can involve meeting a variety of requirements, like finishing the project within the allocated time. Ultimately, the client, authorities, and EPA regulations determine quality.
Two equally crucial facets of construction quality management are quality assurance and control. Quality control refers to the strategies and processes that produce high-quality results, whereas assurance refers to establishing standards for quality management.
Complex construction projects cost a lot of money, time, and resources. A construction project’s success is based on more than just its final result; it also depends on the participants’ safety and well-being.
One of the most important elements in ensuring the success of a building project is quality control. Construction quality management refers to making sure the project is constructed by the necessary standards and specifications. It is essential to guarantee both the client’s delight and the building’s lifespan and safety.
Construction quality management problems occur when the influencing elements are not correctly identified and dealt with. In construction, quality control aims to address difficulties head-on, deliver superior outcomes, and stop problems from arising later.
Suggested article for reading:
Best 10 Construction Document Management
Building Management System (BMS); Ultimate Guide 2024
AI in Project Management; Ultimate Guide 2024
Resources:
Capterra | Revizto | Quickbase | DigiQC | ConstructionPlacements | Indeed | Clickup | BigRentz | BusinessBasics | FTQ360 | ESUB | ProjectManager | Raken | AuraQualityManagement | ProCrewSchedule | ThinkProject | HQTS
For the pictures: Freepik
