An Evaluation of quality management systems at the design stage of construction

Abstract

"Quality is never an accident, it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution. It represents the vvise choice of many alternatives. " -- Willa Foster Changing client demands, increased general awareness and increasing globalisation have seen a gradual change in the way building products are perceived. The processes involved in delivering these building products have also come under scrutiny with a view to meet the new and changing demands of a more demanding and informed society in a rapidly developing technological time. This study focuses on the application of quality management systems to the design process of delivering built products in Kenya. Previous studies have focussed on the building stage and this study seeks to examine the awareness of quality management systems during the design processes, investigate the extent of use of such quality management systems at this stage and seeks to identify the barriers to the implementation of quality management systems during design. While this is not a guarantee of eventual quality built products, it is premised that this enhances the chances of the same being accomplished. This study is undertaken with a view to recommend strategies of enhancing the knowledge and implementation of quality management systems during the design process of construction. The study bases its theoretical framework on quality concepts as utilized in the manufacturing sector. It examines the evolution of quality management through various stages and as postulated by various pundits over time. An understanding of the construction industry- its uniqueness and difference as compared to manufacturing is sought and application of quality management systems at various stages of delivery of the built product in particular, during the design process, is also examined giving an indication of the challenges posed therein. Data was collected from architects who are the main design consultants during the design process through questionnaires and from key informants who included an engineer and a client through interviews. The analysed data indicates that there is a general understanding of quality as a concept and there is a perceived need of sorne forrn of quality management systems during the design process. further analysis indicates that despite the affirmation of the need of quality management, quality management systems are barely used in the design process mainly due to lack of knowledge of the same and when this knowledge exists, an improper understanding of the implementation of quality management systems during the design process. This is attributed to the rudimentary understanding of quality management systems which are geared towards inspection of the product being built rather than inbuilt quality and relegated to the contractors as the building entity instead of being the responsibility of all building participants as postulated in the theory of Total Quality Management. The study concludes with the recommendation of a shift in attitude and culture of quality management amongst architects through the training of quality management systems and the application during the design process along the principle of building in quality and involvement of all stakeholders in the pursuit of a quality built end product. This training will hopefully facilitate proper understanding of quality management