Thursday, 7 November 2013

Some Main Factors Affecting Quality of Construction Projects

An owner usually states this objective in this way “I want a good job, on time and within budget”. These generalized objectives can be achieved if:

1.       The owner definition of GOOD is known, is communicated to other team members and is completely understood.
2.      The owner’s time schedule and budget are realistic.
3.      All project participants properly fulfill their roles.

In recent years, Vietnam have been investing and constructing many big projects from many different sources of capital: national budget, ODA, and public private capital. In there, Vietnam people play critical roles in deciding and conducting those projects, and some specific achievements should they have obtained such as: spacious buildings, new-tech modern bridges, and high technology industry zones.

However, we have to admit the fact that there have been some of those projects received rather much claims or comments from public. On the other hand, some of construction works have had disadvantages and are unsuitable to current demands. In circumstances, the schedules of those projects are always the question mark for users.

For examples: Last few years, on public information means, it has been easy to hear many issues in critical projects of Ho Chi Minh City such as: Urban Drainage System project and East – West Avenue project.

Those above problems had shown us the fact that the Quality issue has not been properly cared by Vietnam Project Management teams. What are the main factors affecting Project Quality and how it influences in each phase of project life cycle?

By analyzing the framework of Project Quality Management in its life-cycle, Pham Xuan Thinh wanted to raise out some main factors affecting the Quality of a construction project.

Based on that framework, the author will dissect the Quality management of a specific constructed project named: “Expanding Phase III Port – Petroleum Technical Service Base in Vung Tau, Vietnam” and specify the issues which impacts on conformance to quality requirements of this one.

And the final objective of the study is to find out the best solution of each issue and recommend to relevant subjects in some similar projects.

Conclusion

As discussed, quality in construction is directly related to time and cost, and vice-versa. A poor quality managed project can result in extra cost and time extensions, while a poor time and cost controlled project can affect the conformance of requirements. Therefore, it is vital to understand the client’s requirements in terms of cost, quality and time.

Management has to be aware of customer’s requirements and be responsible for creating the right environment for a stewarded and progressive improvement. It also has to produce realistic estimates that match these requirements.

In Vietnam, the project managers completely have awareness of the importance of Quality management and its efficiency for success of the project. However, they find difficulties to conform factors: cost, time, quality with Client’s requirements.

In author’s opinion, there are some existing main reasons which have to change and improve drastically if one likes to have good project management:

1. Lack of Communication.
2. Responsibilities are not assigned clearly enough to all members: client, design professional, consultancy, project manager, and constructor.
3. Cost estimate in national norm is not appropriate with actual case.
4. Complex legal procedures.


The concepts and practices of Quality management in construction industry have been used and applied widely in Viet Nam also for long time ago. But how can apply sufficiently in managing Viet Nam construction projects still have some issues for discussion.

In the industrialization, modernization and global integration and in particular construction industry, Vietnamese authority agencies and project management teams have been finding out the best solution to execute projects efficiently. So far, we have had many definitions of project quality management, ways of understanding as well as applying it into each real case.

Look at some recent construction projects and some initial achievements we have obtained, Project Quality management has been promoting considerably. However, we have to continue improving and adjusting to modern management model. To do that task, the project team has to know and understand The Factors influencing Quality of Construction projects and what are consequences and how to solve? 




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