Owner’s Quality Management – A case study of high-rise building project for resettlement of people relocated

by

Dang Quang Ngoc

Abstract

In the recent years, QMS become the most critical factor, tool for any construction organization who want to be affirmed their reputation in the real estate market. This report expresses the key issues of the Quality Management System (QMS) in implementing the construction project.

By this study, A high-rise building project for Resettlement and People relocated, I would like to express the theories and the standards system of the Owner’s Quality Management System in construction, system requirements for owner’s QMS in construction and its benefits. The report has introduce briefly the factors that most effect to project quality studied from public reports and the key points to control project quality from the design to construction stage.

Through a case study on high-rise building project I also would like to propose a framework for application and improvement of QMS in order to obtain a better managing construction project.

   

Executive summary 

Rationale of research

This research has been conducted to identify problems and propose frame work for Quality Management System (QMS) for high rise construction.

Objectives of study

To study implementation of QMS for project owner in construction project from design phase to construction phase, discussion interims of strengths and weakness to recommend improvement and to propose a frame work on QMS for High rise construction.

Methodology

The exploratory research method is used to study QMS through QMS standards for comparison and applying theories into existing QMS for improvement.

Findings and conclusion

In general, most of the requirements of quality system have been covered and presented in the existing system. However, the Owner’s QMS only meet the general requirements related to low-rise building and the simple construction project. The owner need to develop their QMS to specified construction project, such as high-rise building, add the requirement related to control the pile foundation, the fire fighting system, tower crane installation, elevator....etc. Otherwise, the common problems of missing contract review, improper coordination and communication, lack of the process control, control of quality records and the inspection status monitoring during the course of work are the reasons that caused major problems to owner such as schedule delay, rework and violation of safety.

Moreover, it is observed from the high-rise building project that most of problems occurred during design phase and construction phase are caused by these groups: missing contract review, poor coordination and communication, lack of training and internal audit, inadequate quality control procedures. Moreover, the quality culture in organization should be formed up so that the Company can reach to the Total Quality Management.

Recommendations

1.      Document clear procedures of construction for high-rise building

High-rise building project is large and complicated project required a high demand on structure, fire fighting system, M&E system, safety during construction and operation...etc. Owner not only conduct the general QMS system on implementing project but also amend and improve the existing procedure(current quality plan old) to ensure the quality of project.

2.      Increase in Commitment by Top Management

 Top management shall demonstrate its commitment to

·         Communicate the importance of customer’s meeting and regulatory & legal requirements.

·         Establishing the quality policy and quality objectives.

·         Provide necessary resources, funds for implementation of QMS, make sure all members of the company understand and comply with the process.

·         Creating a culture of quality within the company, all activities of the departments to the staff in the company must aim quality.

3.      Internal Quality Audit training for All Level of Staff

            Company need to provide the training courses about quality management of construction projects, regulations on quality control for construction works, the specific requirements for quality and quality management of construction works at the company and work instructions and forms for each individual, each position. Company need to establish a separate quality management department. That will work with other departments to build handbook quality control documents, materials, processes and carrying out tasks for each department.

4.      Focusing on customer

     Company needs to consider on costumer focus orientation to satisfy customer needs from planning phase to warranty, maintenance work to keep old customers and make new relations. The Top management should establish the customer caring unit to collect customer feedback, for improvement.

5.      Develop Communication and Coordination Procedure

     Need to develop clear communication & coordination mechanism for all parties involved.

·      Briefings units periodically.

·      Prepare reports, periodic testing.

·      Regularly and promptly report and exchange information related to the situation in the construction

·       Inviting the State management agencies to inspect and certify the results of construction in accordance with the Ministry of Construction.

·      Coordinate with the state management of local development organizations

-          Check the profile construction process.

-          Check out the results of construction at the site.

-          Certification records and test results as the basis for the test conducted in the stage of execution.

6.      Enhance the corrective and preventive activities and improvement

     Companies need unified approach to the implementation of improvement actions, prevent, eliminate causes of potential nonconformities, which included measures to improve quality systems company's process improvement project construction. A professional group to be appointed to do research by working in different departments for quality improvement and will submit results to management for approval for implementation.

After performing the corrective, preventive action and improvement, they shall consider the results and draw experience.