As a program manager, you are responsible for ensuring that construction and facilities management projects are completed on time, within budget, and to a high standard of quality. One of the most critical components of achieving these goals is having a robust quality assurance and control program in place. In this blog, we’ll discuss the essential practices for quality assurance and control in construction and facilities management that every program manager should know.
Series
Continuing on in the series, we will explore the best practices and tools for managing risks in capital programs.
What is Quality Assurance and Control?
Quality assurance and control is the process of ensuring that a project or product meets the specified requirements and standards. In construction and facilities management, this involves monitoring and evaluating every stage of the project to ensure that it meets the necessary quality standards. This process helps to prevent defects, errors, and mistakes from occurring, ensuring that the final product is of high quality.
Essential Practices for Quality Assurance and Control in Construction and Facilities Management
Establish Quality Goals and Objectives
The first step in developing a quality assurance and control program is to establish clear quality goals and objectives. This involves defining the quality standards that your project should meet and setting specific targets for achieving them. These goals should be measurable and achievable, and should align with the overall goals of the program.
Develop a Quality Plan
Once you have established your quality goals and objectives, the next step is to develop a quality plan. This plan should outline the specific steps that you will take to ensure that the project meets the necessary quality standards. It should also include a timeline for implementing each step, as well as metrics for measuring progress and success.
Conduct Regular Inspections and Audits
Regular inspections and audits are an essential component of quality assurance and control in construction and facilities management. These inspections should be conducted at every stage of the project, from design to construction and completion. They should also be conducted by independent third-party inspectors to ensure that the results are unbiased and objective.
Establish Quality Control Procedures
Quality control procedures are the processes that you put in place to ensure that the project meets the necessary quality standards. These procedures should be established at the beginning of the project and should be followed throughout the project’s lifecycle. They should include processes for identifying and resolving defects, as well as processes for validating that the project meets the specified requirements.
Monitor and Measure Performance
Monitoring and measuring performance is an essential component of quality assurance and control in construction and facilities management. This involves tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to ensure that the project is on track to meet the necessary quality standards. These KPIs should be regularly reviewed and analyzed to identify any areas of improvement or potential risks.
What Separates Great from Good Quality Assurance and Control?
Great quality assurance and control programs go beyond just meeting the minimum requirements and standards. They involve a proactive approach to identifying and resolving potential issues before they become problems. Great programs also involve a commitment to continuous improvement, with a focus on learning from past experiences and incorporating those lessons into future projects.
In contrast, good quality assurance and control programs simply meet the necessary standards and requirements. While they are effective at preventing defects and errors, they may not be as proactive in identifying potential issues before they become problems. Good programs may also lack a commitment to continuous improvement, which can limit their ability to learn and grow over time.
Key Takeaways
Quality assurance and control is a critical component of construction and facilities management in capital program management. By establishing clear quality goals and objectives, developing a quality plan, conducting regular inspections and audits, establishing quality control procedures, and monitoring and measuring performance, program managers can ensure that their projects meet the necessary quality standards. By going beyond the minimum requirements and standards
Best Practice Thinkers
Some of the best thinkers in the field of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction and Facilities Management for Capital Program Management are:
Joseph M. Juran:
Joseph M. Juran is considered to be the father of quality management. He is the author of several books on quality management, including “Juran’s Quality Handbook: The Complete Guide to Performance Excellence.”
W. Edwards Deming:
W. Edwards Deming is another pioneer in the field of quality management. He is the author of several books, including “Out of the Crisis” and “The New Economics for Industry, Government, Education.“
Philip B. Crosby:
Philip B. Crosby is known for his contribution to the concept of zero defects. He is the author of several books, including “Quality Is Free” and “Quality Without Tears.”
Kaoru Ishikawa:
Kaoru Ishikawa is known for his contribution to the field of quality management through his development of the Ishikawa diagram, also known as the fishbone diagram. He is the author of several books, including “What is Total Quality Control?”
What does Great look like – not merely good?
When it comes to separating great from good in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction and Facilities Management for Capital Program Management, one of the key factors is attention to detail. Great programs will have rigorous quality control measures in place at every stage of the construction process, from design to handover. This includes regular quality audits, clear communication channels between all stakeholders, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Another important factor is a culture of accountability. Great programs hold all stakeholders accountable for quality, from designers to contractors to facility managers. They have clear metrics in place to measure performance, and they use those metrics to identify areas for improvement.
Finally, great programs prioritize communication and collaboration. They recognize that effective quality management requires the active participation of all stakeholders, and they work to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable raising concerns and sharing ideas. This includes regular meetings, open lines of communication, and a commitment to working together to achieve shared goals.
