Features

• Provides significant information and guidelines on various types of quality tools used to manage construction projects
• Covers a variety of quality tools used for Project Development, Project Planning, Project Monitoring & Control, Quality Management, Risk Management, Procurement/Contract Management, Safety Management, Quality Assessment/Measurement, Training and Development, and Customer Satisfaction
• Defines total quality as applied to construction projects during the different phases of the construction project life cycle and at different stages of each phase
• Includes examples of detailed application of quality tools during project inception, concept design, schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding and tendering, construction, and testing and handover
• Discusses quality in construction projects, and application of Six Sigma tools in construction projects

Summary

Dealing with such a multi-layered and fungible intangible as quality during the design and construction process is difficult for all parties involved. To the architect, quality means an appealing and enduring design, but to the builder, it means understandable documents that, when acted upon, lead to an enduring, well-made structure. To the owner, it is the end result: a building that is not only fit for the purpose, but a positive addition to its surroundings. Reconciling these seemingly contrasting priorities requires processes that are embedded not just at the project level, but within the entire enterprise with designer, builder, and owner committed to integrating quality into all their business processes.

Quality Tools for Managing Construction Projects not only details the importance of developing a comprehensive management system, but provides the tools and techniques required to do so. The book examines the usage and applications of tools and techniques in different phases of a construction project, focusing on plan quality, quality assurance, and quality control. Following the construction cycle, Dr. Rumane delineates the quality tools and their application, ending with the implementation of quality systems throughout the entire design and construction cycle.

The book demonstrates how these tools can help in planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling a project—evolving project management into a system that ensures project deliverables consistently meet the defined scope on schedule and within budget. The author’s systems perspective recognizes and supports the ideal collaborative approach that modern design and construction projects need. Dr. Rumane then demonstrates that successful quality management is more than a series of handoffs between teams who’ve completed tasks.