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Who is responsible for quality on your construction project?

4/2/2015

8 Comments

 
The construction Project Manager (site manager) should provide guidance as to the quality requirements and expectations on the construction project. Whenever they travel around the construction site they should be looking with a critical eye at both the completed work, and the work under construction, to ensure it conforms to the project’s quality requirements.

A top-to-bottom commitment is required for quality. A construction project will not achieve the required quality standards if individual workers are not committed to producing a quality product. At the same time, even if the workers are committed and well-trained, the project will not achieve the desired quality if the Supervisors, Quality Engineers and the Project Manager aren’t committed to producing a quality product.

All workers and staff must take responsibility for producing the best quality product possible. Often on projects I see people blaming their tools, materials, equipment, the schedule, the Supervisor, or fellow workers for a poor quality product. Each individual must understand that they are personally responsible for the quality of the product they produce, and they shouldn’t play the ‘blame game’.

In saying this, management must also be mindful of how they influence the quality of the workmanship on the project, and what they can do to improve the quality culture, like sending craftsmen or Supervisors on appropriate training courses. They should also continually look at the construction process with a critical eye, to see if changes would improve the quality of the end product. Maybe the construction materials or equipment are genuinely substandard making it difficult for the workers to achieve the desired quality.

On many construction projects I see completed quality work being damaged by follow-on trades and contractors. All workers on the project should not only take pride in their work, but also in the work done by the others, and they should respect each other’s work. Taking a little extra care while working around completed work, and protecting it, will ensure it’s not damaged.

There should be a clear delegation of the ultimate responsibility for the quality of a task. Often I’ve had Engineers, or Supervisors, tell me that they weren’t responsible for the poor quality of their section of works and that it was the Quality Manager who was responsible. Obviously this is rubbish! Each construction Supervisor is responsible for everything within their section of works, including the quality of work and the materials used. Every section Engineer should be responsible for the quality of their section of the works. The Quality Engineer, or Quality Manager, is appointed to assist the Supervisors and section Engineers to monitor and record the quality, and to ensure the required quality systems are implemented and followed.

Poor quality construction work should not be accepted, and construction Project Managers must not pass by substandard work without taking action. This action may be to simply chide the responsible party for minor defects, but with serious breaches of quality, consideration should be given to implementing disciplinary procedures against the parties responsible. 


(From the book 'Successful Construction Project Management; The Practical Guide' by Paul Netscher)
construction management construction project management
8 Comments
Hans Picard link
7/2/2015 10:29:15 pm

Paul,

I'm sure you know 'everyone' cannot be held accountable for quality. IMO, the Construction Manager is 'johny-on-the-spot', and relies on QA/QC support. The PM typically gives overall direction and holds the CM to account. That's my experience . . .

Reply
David Bridge
8/2/2015 09:25:21 am

It is all well & good to blame either the Quality or Project Manager.
The bottom line is it is up to the Quality Manager to train personnel, including the Project Manager, into their quality responsibilities. But if the QM has neither the time, resources, or competence, then there is a problem. And if the personnel do not want to accept their quality responsibilities (through either arrogance or ignorance), then the problem is compounded.

Reply
Ljupco Markovski
9/2/2015 10:47:42 am

Paul,
You explained exactly and clearly how it should be.
Probably at the beggining of a Project everybody is on the same side-side of Quality.
BUT, if the project started to delay or previous budget is not enough to finish it (money and schedule) then, the whole established quality proccesses will start suffering and for blame game there will be a lot of players.

Reply
JANNER SARAGIH
6/3/2015 12:10:40 am

Everybody Responsible of the Quality in the Construction. Because only way a company can achieve quality is for it to be dedicated to Competency of its staff, and Providing the right atmosphere / culture to achieve quality,

Reply
Tandaveshwara H S link
15/10/2016 09:16:12 pm

In my 38 years of experience in construction field in India, the works are 80 % labour oriented, and every labour is a migratory one. That is the PM is not sure of the same labourers are coming back from leave . So no matter of training will help the construction sector in India as long the trained workers are continuing to be migratory . Also if the Employer or the Owner does not adhered to committed cash flows, then the project gets delayed and these days when the net margins are thin, the vendors loose interest in work , as they know very well that there in no money at the end. When the contractors are paid on time , then , owners can hit on the heart to deliver on time , quality and safety.

Reply
Paul
17/10/2016 09:13:02 am

Tandaveshwara thanks for your comment. Much of my work was in Africa and we had a core team of workers which we took from one project to another and then employed about 60%-70% locally specifically for the project. I invested in training on the project (even with the local people) since it benefited the project (better motivated workers, improved productivity, safety, quality and loyalty). Even if the local people didn't work for us at the end of the project hopefully there was some longer term benefit to both the person, their families and the construction industry as a whole. We have to learn to look beyond the costs to the overall benefits. Much of the training can be done on the project site which reduces the costs.
Customers not paying is a big problem in many countries. Contractors need to become more selective which customers they work for. Customers who pay poorly will inevitably get a poor product.

Reply
Ashley link
20/6/2019 11:13:34 pm

I liked that you said that hiring a professional construction manager that commits to your project will ensure quality. I would imagine that construction would be stressful and messy. I would be sure to hire a professional construction manager to help the process run smoothly and to result positively.

Reply
Digital Marketing Agency Ph link
7/8/2019 10:08:35 am

Thank you for sharing deep insights. Your tips and links are really helpful in good way.

Reply



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    The opinions expressed in the attached articles are those of the writer. It should be noted that projects are varied and different laws and restrictions apply which depend on the location of the contractor and the project. It's important that the reader uses the supplied information taking cognisance of their particular circumstances. The writer assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss of any kind arising from the reader using the information or advice contained herein.
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  • Construction Home
  • About Paul Netscher
  • +Construction Books
    • Successful Construction Project Management
    • Building a Successful Construction Company
    • Construction Claims
    • Construction Project Management: Tips and Insights
    • Construction Management: From Project Concept to Completion
    • An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses
    • The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman
    • Designing your ideal home
  • Construction Management Services
  • Book Reviews
  • Contact
  • Blog | Construction Management
  • Site Map
  • Blog | Home Improvement
  • Index of construction articles
  • Useful Links
  • Index Home Improvement