presented by: s. johnson prepared by: s. johnson & l. rollins
TRANSCRIPT
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.