Quality Assurance In Construction



06 January 15

Quality Assurance In Construction

Quality assurance in construction can be defined simply as ensuring that the quality of construction is what it should be. Process Technical Services has qualified and experienced personnel that can plan and perform the systematic steps necessary for a program of quality assurance in construction.

Quality assurance in construction involves planned and systematic actions necessary to provide confidence that the facility will operate in the most efficient, economical, and streamlined method possible. The act of quality assurance involves continued evaluation and interaction of activities, including: planning, design, development of plans and specifications, advertising and awarding of contracts, construction, and maintenance.

In its broadest form, quality assurance includes quality control, which is the responsibility of the contractor. Quality assurance also includes acceptance which involves sampling, testing, and the assessment of test results to determine whether or not the quality of construction is acceptable in terms of the specifications.

Construction planning is a complex process that must be kept current with the actual in-field construction activities. The construction plans including day-to-day changes, must be kept up-to-date. During construction, there are usually a number of schedule changes that arise as a result of unforeseen events. Construction plans should be aligned with daily progress and communication of any schedule changes in construction plans must be relayed quickly to the affected personnel. Failure to keep the construction planning dynamic and up-to-date can create confusion and delays.

Quality assurance in construction requires that procedures for incorporating design changes into construction plans be well developed and fully utilized. The earlier that design changes are recognized and implemented, the lower the cost will be. Quality assurance efforts in construction must closely monitor how well the management of design and change of design processes are functioning. Through initiatives, quality issues that need to be monitored during quality assurance effort and acceptance testing will be determined.

An additional area of activity for quality assurance in construction is the development of plans and specifications. Architectural and engineering plans and specifications often change during the construction phase of a complex project and need to be monitored. It is essential that  procedures for incorporating changes into construction plans be well developed and consistently followed.

In order to minimize construction cost while meeting specifications in the construction plans and design, it’s important that advertising for bids and awarding of contracts be closely monitored. The qualifications of contractors and subcontractors to perform services as advertised and meet quality requirements should be examined carefully during the construction phase of the project.

Construction activities should be closely monitored to ensure that engineering plans and specifications are being met or exceeded throughout the construction process. Process Technical Services has experienced quality assurance personnel that can develop a construction quality assurance program that meets the needs and requirements of the project owner.