Importance, Impacts and Improvements – A review of quality assurance in the civil engineering sector

Presented by: S. JohnsonPrepared by: S. Johnson & L. Rollins

Outline of Presentation

Introduction Importance of Quality Assurance Impacts from a lack of or ineffective

Quality Assurance Improvements through Quality

Assurance Conclusion References

Introduction

The civil engineering sector is a key element to development

Guyana has seen significant increases in construction project activities

There is a growing need to ensure reliability of the industry

Introduction

The goal is to produce a quality product – to build well

Barnenez, France Pyramid of Djoser, Egypt

Importance of Quality Assurance

Quality is not a newly invented term

Often used to describe a product that meets an expectation We are often willing to pay extra for

quality Anyone can confidently identify

poor quality and good quality – referring to manufactured products

Importance of Quality Assurance Cont’d

The process of determining quality is different in the construction industry because:

a construction project is usually one off, have longer life cycles, occurs in an uncontrolled environment, operations can be used in different

circumstances and there is always the possibility that the

product can be achieved by other means

Importance of Quality Assurance Cont’d

Why do we need assuran

ce of Quality?

Why is it

important?

Importance of Quality Assurance Cont’d

The importance and necessity of quality assurance is better understood by defining key terms :

Quality Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Definition

QUALITYThe expected characteristics of a product or service that are entirely defined by the end user, evolving and developing with customer requirements and expectations(Gorse, Johnston et al. 2012).Civil Engineering – conformance to established requirements set forth by the designers, regulatory bodies, constructor and owner

Quality

Critical decisions relating to quality must be set by the owner or user

Quality must be guaranteed Quality in the civil engineer sector is

achieved through the implementation of an appropriate measure i.e.

Quality Assurance (QA)

Definition

QUALITY ASSURANCE A discipline which sets out the organisational structure, responsibilities and procedures required to ensure that works carried out fits the purpose intended

It involves planned and systematic action necessary to provide confidence that a product or facility will perform satisfactorily in service;

Making sure the quality of the product is what it should be (AASHTO, 1995)

Quality Assurance or Quality Control (QA/QC)

QA/QC - suggests that Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QC) are similar terms

They are not interchangeable

QA is the umbrella under which QC must function

Definition

QUALITY CONTROL A system of checks and tests that ensures components are produced within accepted tolerances and meet with a set criteria.

Quality Assurance or Quality Control (QA/QC)

QC cannot function independently Still, QC is given more emphasis in

the construction industry Common belief is that QC is the

contractor’s responsibility while it is the owner’s task to judge acceptance (QA)

Everyone involved is responsible for Quality

Brief history of QC in the Ministry

Quality Control was emphasised in the Public Works department during 1950s to 1980s

The team comprised of over 100 technicians

A laboratory was established with four sections: Concrete Asphalt Soils Research

History of QC in the Ministry Cont’d

In the 1990s, emphasis on quality control deteriorated due to lack of institutional capacity.

Efforts to make improvements are ongoing

Impacts resulting from a lack of or ineffective QA

Review of projects recently undertaken by the Ministry revealed the following: Inability to meet prescribed

budget Inability to meet proposed

timelines Failures in products delivered

Quality was not achieved

Impacts resulting from a lack of or ineffective QA

This may have resulted from: Unreliable design information and

quantities Inadequate specifications Inexperience of constructor Inadequate skilled staff Unsuitable materials Insufficient equipment or Poor management

Impacts resulting from a lack of or ineffective QA

All points to a lack of or ineffective quality assurance throughout all the phases of construction i.e.

planning and designing construction maintenance and operation

Improvements through QA

The Ministry requires that evidence of quality management (QM) be shown

Quality manuals are required to be submitted when tendering

These documents are not necessarily an indication that QM is incorporated into daily operations

Improvements through QA

Improvement in the sector requires: Quality must be emphasied at project

inception Continuous promotion of QA Mandatory requirement to conform to

International Quality Management standards such as ISO 9004

Commitment from leadership and companies (design and constructing)

Training Team Work -collaboration between agencies

Improvements through QA Cont’d

Benefits of implementing QA: Enhanced industry culture, Delivered cost benefits through

corrective and preventative action, Reduction in mistakes, wastages,

duplication, rework and repairs, Improved workmanship and User satisfaction

Improvements through QA Cont’d

Once QA is incorporated QC will be more effective.

QC will provide for the establishment of quality standards based on past experiences What has worked and what hasn’t

Conclusion

Quality Control is vital but emphasis should not only be placed on Quality Control

Assurance of Quality is the umbrella necessary to achieve a reliable construction industry

References

Arditi, D. and H. M. Gunaydin (1997). "Total Quality Management in the Construction Process." International Journal of Project Management 15(4): 9.

Ashworth, A. (2014). Civil Engineering Contractual Procedures, Taylor & Francis. Atkinson, G. (1995). Construction Quality and Quality Standards, the European

Perspective. London, E and FN SPON. Baker, A. W. (1987). Quality Assurance in the Design Organisation. Quality

assurance in civil engineering seminar. Midlands. Battikha, M. G. (2003). "Quality management practice in highway

construction." The International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management 20(4/5): 20.

Gorse, C., et al. (2012). A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying, and Civil Engineering, OUP Oxford

Jain, J. P. L. (2001). Quality Control and Total Quality Management, McGraw-Hill Education (India) Pvt Limited.

Oldham, P. H. (1987). A Contractor's view of the application and development of quality assurance in construction. Quality assurance in civil engineering seminar. Midlands

Polec, A. (2001). Quality Assurance outcomes in Australian Engineering Construction. School of Geoinformatics, Planning and Building. Australia, University of South Australia. Masters: 167.