NEWS

Construction Management and Quality Control

Quality control in construction, also sometimes known as quality assurance or QA, is defined as being the processes or procedures that the contractor will engage in to ensure that the required quality of the project is met. A successful construction project will normally only be complete after the quality standards for the project set out by the owner have been met.
 

What is Construction Quality?

Construction quality means that a project is completed within the defined guidelines set out in the scope of work, which acts as a set of parameters for the project based on the owner’s expectations. The scope of work also provides a roadmap of how to execute the project to meet these standards. 


Some of the elements that can determine construction quality include:

 

• Whether a project is completed on schedule

• Whether the project stays within budget

• Whether the specifications laid out in the scope of work have been met

• If the final build fulfills its intended purpose

While all contractors do make an effort to control quality, many do not have robust quality control processes in place to achieve the highest levels. Much of the trouble lies in the variable factors of a typical construction site. Many of these variable factors are considered barriers to successful quality control.
 

Barriers to Successful Quality Control

Some of the factors that may influence the success and effectiveness of quality management processes and outcomes can include:
 

• The location of the site

• Fluctuating work volume

• The ability, knowledge, and diligence of the workforce

• Reliability of the workforce

• Project delays

• Poor planning

• Failure to choose quality materials for the build

• Difficulty obtaining supplies

• Failure to document changes and practice

• Scope creep

• Lack of effective project management

The Importance of Quality in Construction Projects

It may not seem obvious, but ultimately, the quality of a construction project will affect your bottom line. If you regularly complete projects with a high level of quality, you are more likely to win repeat business. However, if you suffer from quality control issues, you could find yourself at risk of anything from costly litigation expenses to damage to your reputation then prevents you from securing future contracts. And that’s not taking into account any wasted time, resources, and materials, and the increased risk of safety issues that can occur on a poor quality build project. 
 

Improving Quality in Construction

Fortunately, there are things that you can do to help improve the quality of your construction project:

 

• Consider investing in project management software, much of which can be tailored to reflect the individual needs of your project. 

• Create a worklist of jobs and use it as you go. 

• Have regular meetings with the owner and other project stakeholders to get ahead of what needs to be completed, and to make sure that all requirements are met. 

• Hone in on quality workflows by defining the roles and responsibilities of each of your team, along with clear due dates and deliverables. 

• Conduct frequent risk assessments. 

• Create standard operating procedures that can be used across multiple projects.

If you would like advice on construction management and quality control for your next project, contact Core Consulting Group Inc. in San Diego, CA. Call (858) 358-6400 to schedule a consultation today!