There are many different Quality Management methods and practice recommendations and best practices for the Construction Industry. However, how will all these different recommendations work together in a robust and integrated management system?
CQM Philosophy
The best methodology is to have a sustainable business mindset with the three Ps: Profit, People, and Planet in mind as practiced by LEED Philosophy Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design.
To maximize Profit, proper Business Management & Administration is needed that is based on an advanced Strategic Planning & Blue Ocean Innovation. Therefore organizations must have clear Mission & Vision Statements that are developed based on Key Performance Areas & Indicators of Success.
The People aspect of organizations and projects is to engage all members as Quality Team. This will need a clear Department Structure based on Matrix Structure with a clear job description and RACI Matrix. Managers should be trained and coached in Team Development with Business Psychology information on Interpersonal Skills & Personality Types. This will be best practiced if Total Quality Management (TQM) Philosophy is utilized.
For the best Project Outputs, a Construction Project must be managed by a Construction Project Management Professional based on the Project Management Book of Knowledge Framework.
CQM Methodology
Although the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and American Society for Quality (ASQ) have recommendations and standards for a variety of processes and procedures, they are not intended to be a Methodology for an Organization. Organizations could pick and choose based on their preference or requirement from Owner, on the contrary, a CQM Methodology gives specific instructions on which tools and techniques to be used, when, how, and why!
Once the CQM Philosophy is adapted by the Top-Management, the organization will have a clear understanding of the recommended practices and processes. The CQM Methodology is based on the US Army Corps of Engineers requirement for Federal Projects and improved by adapting practices recommended by the Construction Industry Institute, Lean Construction Institute, and similar organizations.
CQM Framework
Construction Quality Management is based on Responsibility, Accountability and Information Sharing. A Quality Manager or Construction Project Management Professional taking on the Responsibility of Quality Management of a Construction Project must have a clear plan, supervision, and control that is communicated through Meetings and proper Documentations. The Information collected will be used to better manage the project outputs, obtain business outcomes, and share knowledge for the future project as Lessons Learned and Performance Rating.
How these processes and procedures related to converting inputs from different stages of the project, stakeholders, and processes into outputs useful to the project success and ultimately reducing risks and improving business profitability is spelled out in a CQM Framework that needs to be performed by all team members based on their RACI Chart and Job description defined in the CQM Methodology.
