The Apply CQM process changes depending on the Construction Project Structure and Contract Type. CQM Methodology recommends the assignment of a CQM Manager in the early phases of the Construction Project Management, however, depending on the Size of the project and assigned CQM Assets of an organization, the activities of this process may be distributed to different Project Team members but in all cases, to deliver Quality Results the Project Superintendent will assume responsibilities for work performance and Project Manager is always accountable for Project Outputs!
Preconstruction Phase
The Apply CQM Processes during the Pre-Construction Phase is to set the specifications, standards, scope of Quality Requirements. They are generated from reviewing Contract Documents, Drawings and Specifications to Update the Quality Manual and create a Site-Specific Quality Plan with appropriate Checklists to Quality Control Work Performed. This might be a reiterative continuous quality improvement cycle where changes are made due to new Design Bulletins, Substitutions, and/or Owner Requirements.
Once the requirement management process is completed, the subcontractors are instructed to provide an Installation Work Package for each Definable Feature of Work. This is done during Quality Orientation and Advance Work Package Training.
Apply CQM During Construction Phase
The Apply CQM is simplified to be customized to small projects as it is designed to be expanded for a large project. Therefore, depending on the project size, the Quality Control Checklists will provide further instruction for more extensive steps to be taken and forms to be filled as the project requires. However, according to the flow chart below the most important steps to consider in the Apply CQM process are the following:
- Set Requirements
- Monitor Coordination of work through Installation Work Packages
- Track Scope Changes through RFIs and Submittal Comments
- Hold Quality Preparatory Meetings to set CQM Expectations
- Coordinate Third-Party Testing and Inspections
- Hold Daily Plan of the Day Meeting to review work requirements
- Perform Quality Inspections, Quality Talk, Walk, and Visits
- Report and Log Quality Observations as Quality Incidents or Non-Conformance
- Review Test and Inspection Reports for major concerns
- Follow up on Corrective Actions and Close Observation Reports
- Report Quality-Related Visits and Activities to Stakeholders
As mentioned this process is part of an integrated project delivery mindset for a multilayered quality management system where supply chain will perform their own Quality Control and GC will be the Quality Assurance Party, and the Construction Team Quality Control as a whole will be assured by Third Party to verify the CQM Implementation. Periodic Quality Audits will be required from the CQM Director to assure and verify that the Apply CQM Process is performed and documented accordingly.
Closing the Apply CQM Process
The outcome of the Apply CQM Process would be to close every IWP created for each DFoW. The closed IWP will be used in Project Closeout Documentation and Project Knowledge Management Assets. The performance of each Supply Chain entity will be evaluated in a scorecard for the future prequalification process. The Outcome of this process will be used as an input to the rest of CQM Implementation Quality and Risk Management Processes as Business Intelligence useful to the organization.
