1. Importance, Impacts and Improvements – A review of quality assurance in the civil engineering sector
Click to add notes
Presented by: S. Johnson
Prepared by: S. Johnson & L. Rollins

2. Outline of Presentation
Introduction
Importance of Quality Assurance
Impacts from a lack of or ineffective Quality Assurance
Improvements through Quality Assurance
Conclusion
References

3. Introduction
The civil engineering sector is a key element to development
Guyana has seen significant increases in construction project activities
There is a growing need to ensure reliability of the industry

4. Pyramid of Djoser, Egypt
Introduction
The goal is to produce a quality product – to build well
Barnenez, France
Pyramid of Djoser, Egypt

5. Importance of Quality Assurance
Quality is not a newly invented term
Often used to describe a product that meets an expectation
We are often willing to pay extra for quality
Anyone can confidently identify poor quality and good quality –
referring to manufactured
products

6. Importance of Quality Assurance Cont’d
The process of determining quality is different in the construction industry because:
a construction project is usually one off,
have longer life cycles,
occurs in an uncontrolled environment,
operations can be used in different circumstances and
there is always the possibility that the product can be achieved by other means

7. Importance of Quality Assurance Cont’d
Why is it important?
Why do we need assurance of Quality?

8. Importance of Quality Assurance Cont’d
The importance and necessity of quality assurance is better understood by defining key terms :
Quality
Quality Assurance and
Quality Control

9. Definition
QUALITY The expected characteristics of a product or service that are entirely defined by the end user, evolving and developing with customer requirements and expectations(Gorse, Johnston et al. 2012). Civil Engineering – conformance to established requirements set forth by the designers, regulatory bodies, constructor and owner

10. Quality Assurance (QA)
Critical decisions relating to quality must be set by the owner or user
Quality must be guaranteed
Quality in the civil engineer sector is achieved through the implementation of an appropriate measure i.e.
Quality Assurance (QA)

11. Definition QUALITY ASSURANCE
A discipline which sets out the organisational structure, responsibilities and procedures required to ensure that works carried out fits the purpose intended
It involves planned and systematic action necessary to provide confidence that a product or facility will perform satisfactorily in service;
Making sure the quality of the product is what it should be (AASHTO, 1995)

12. Quality Assurance or Quality Control (QA/QC)
QA/QC - suggests that Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QC) are similar terms
They are not interchangeable
QA is the umbrella under which QC must function

13. Definition
QUALITY CONTROL A system of checks and tests that ensures components are produced within accepted tolerances and meet with a set criteria.

14. Quality Assurance or Quality Control (QA/QC)
QC cannot function independently
Still, QC is given more emphasis in the construction industry
Common belief is that QC is the contractor’s responsibility while it is the owner’s task to judge acceptance (QA)
Everyone involved is responsible for Quality

15. Brief history of QC in the Ministry
Quality Control was emphasised in the Public Works department during 1950s to 1980s
The team comprised of over 100 technicians
A laboratory was established with four sections:
Concrete
Asphalt
Soils
Research

16. History of QC in the Ministry Cont’d
In the 1990s, emphasis on quality control deteriorated due to lack of institutional capacity.
Efforts to make improvements are ongoing

17. Impacts resulting from a lack of or ineffective QA
Review of projects recently undertaken by the Ministry revealed the following:
Inability to meet prescribed budget
Inability to meet proposed timelines
Failures in products delivered
Quality was not achieved

18. Impacts resulting from a lack of or ineffective QA
This may have resulted from:
Unreliable design information and quantities
Inadequate specifications
Inexperience of constructor
Inadequate skilled staff
Unsuitable materials
Insufficient equipment or
Poor management

19. Impacts resulting from a lack of or ineffective QA
All points to a lack of or ineffective quality assurance throughout all the phases of construction i.e.
planning and designing
construction
maintenance and
operation

20. Improvements through QA
The Ministry requires that evidence of quality management (QM) be shown
Quality manuals are required to be submitted when tendering
These documents are not necessarily an indication that QM is incorporated into daily operations

21. Improvements through QA
Improvement in the sector requires:
Quality must be emphasied at project inception
Continuous promotion of QA
Mandatory requirement to conform to International Quality Management standards such as ISO 9004
Commitment from leadership and companies (design and constructing)
Training
Team Work -collaboration between agencies

22. Improvements through QA Cont’d
Benefits of implementing QA:
Enhanced industry culture,
Delivered cost benefits through corrective and preventative action,
Reduction in mistakes, wastages, duplication, rework and repairs,
Improved workmanship and
User satisfaction

23. Improvements through QA Cont’d
Once QA is incorporated QC will be more effective.
QC will provide for the establishment of quality standards based on past experiences
What has worked and what hasn’t

24. Conclusion
Quality Control is vital but emphasis should not only be placed on Quality Control
Assurance of Quality is the umbrella necessary to achieve a reliable construction industry

25. References
Arditi, D. and H. M. Gunaydin (1997). "Total Quality Management in the Construction Process." International Journal of Project Management 15(4): 9.
Ashworth, A. (2014). Civil Engineering Contractual Procedures, Taylor & Francis.
Atkinson, G. (1995). Construction Quality and Quality Standards, the European Perspective. London, E and FN SPON.
Baker, A. W. (1987). Quality Assurance in the Design Organisation. Quality assurance in civil engineering seminar. Midlands.
Battikha, M. G. (2003). "Quality management practice in highway construction." The International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management 20(4/5): 20.
Gorse, C., et al. (2012). A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying, and Civil Engineering, OUP Oxford
Jain, J. P. L. (2001). Quality Control and Total Quality Management, McGraw-Hill Education (India) Pvt Limited.
Oldham, P. H. (1987). A Contractor's view of the application and development of quality assurance in construction. Quality assurance in civil engineering seminar. Midlands
Polec, A. (2001). Quality Assurance outcomes in Australian Engineering Construction. School of Geoinformatics, Planning and Building. Australia, University of South Australia. Masters: 167.