What Does a Quality Assurance Project Manager Do?Understanding the Role & Responsibilities

A Quality Assurance Project Manager ensures that project deliverables meet predefined quality standards throughout the project lifecycle. While often confused with a Project Quality Manager, the QA PM plays a distinct role in overseeing processes, compliance, and continuous improvement especially in industries like construction and manufacturing.

What Is a Quality Assurance Project Manager?

A Quality Assurance Project Manager (QA PM) is responsible for overseeing the implementation of quality assurance processes throughout a project's lifecycle. Unlike a typical project manager who focuses on deliverables and timelines, the QA PM ensures that all project outputs meet predefined quality standards, industry regulations, and internal compliance frameworks.

This role bridges the gap between project execution and quality management systems, working cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and quality control teams. In industries like construction, software development, and manufacturing, QA project managers are critical for minimizing defects, reducing rework, and ensuring stakeholder satisfaction.

Key distinction: A QA PM focuses on process quality and preventative strategies, not just inspecting final deliverables.

Read more about the 5 Step Construction Quality Control Process

Key Responsibilities of a QA Project Manager

The responsibilities of a Quality Assurance Project Manager vary depending on industry, but they generally fall into three categories: strategic planning, compliance monitoring, and continuous improvement.

Here are the core responsibilities:

1. Develop QA Plans

   Define quality metrics, benchmarks, and control points aligned with project goals and client expectations.

2. Implement QA Frameworks

   Apply industry standards like ISO 9001 or Six Sigma to the project delivery process.

3. Oversee Quality Audits & Reviews

   Conduct process audits, internal reviews, and supplier quality assessments.

4. Collaborate with Project Stakeholders

   Work with project managers, engineers, and clients to align on quality standards.

5. Manage Non-Conformances & Corrective Actions

   Track and resolve quality issues before they impact the project timeline or budget.

6. Report on QA Metrics

   Provide data-driven insights on quality performance, trends, and risk areas.

In construction, QA PMs also ensure subcontractor compliance and material traceability, two areas often overlooked.

Quality Assurance vs. Project Quality Management

While often used interchangeably, Quality Assurance (QA) and Project Quality Management (PQM) serve distinct roles in the context of project delivery.

Industry Applications: QA PMs in Construction

In the construction industry, a Quality Assurance Project Manager plays a crucial role in ensuring that all building processes and materials meet regulatory standards, client specifications, and safety requirements. Unlike traditional project managers who focus on timelines and budgets, the QA PM is dedicated to proactively managing quality across every phase of construction from pre-construction planning to final handover.

Key Functions of a QA PM in Construction:

1. Developing and Implementing Construction QA Plans
   QA PMs create quality assurance plans aligned with building codes, contract requirements, and third-party standards (e.g., ISO 9001, IBC, ASCE).

2. Coordinating Subcontractor Quality Performance
   They evaluate and monitor subcontractors’ adherence to quality procedures, ensuring consistency across trades like electrical, plumbing, and structural works.

3. Conducting Process Audits and Compliance Checks
   Instead of relying solely on end-stage inspections, QA PMs audit construction workflows, documentation, and vendor certifications to detect issues early.

4. Ensuring Material Traceability and Document Control
   QA PMs manage submittals, RFIs, and test reports to maintain traceability of critical materials (e.g., rebar, concrete, fireproofing) throughout the project lifecycle.

5. Collaborating with Site Teams and Engineers
   They act as a quality liaison between site managers, architects, and quality control inspectors to maintain alignment on construction standards.

In large infrastructure or government-funded projects, QA Project Managers are often required by contract to ensure independent oversight of the project’s quality management system (QMS).

Why This Role Matters

Poor quality in construction leads to rework, delays, warranty claims, and safety risks. A dedicated Quality Assurance Project Manager in construction reduces these risks by embedding quality into the planning and execution phases not just inspecting after the fact.

Who Is Ultimately Responsible for Quality in a Project?

Quality assurance management is necessary for a successful construction project. The project quality manager job description includes the development of standards and guidelines, planning, decision making, and reporting. There are several types of quality assurance and quality standards management in construction and each one has their own set of responsibilities.

But if you don't clearly define the roles and responsibilities for your project quality standards and quality control management systems, everybody will assume that it's someone else's job.

The fact is that quality management is an ongoing process that requires participation from the entire team, including subcontractors. Their roles and responsibilities should be clearly defined so they know what is expected. Here are some examples:

Quality Manager and Quality Assurance Department

• Design, implement, and oversee quality management and improvement processes
• Define roles and make sure everyone knows and understands their roles
• Manage a staff of inspectors that is responsible for completing quality control (QC) inspections
• Hold people accountable for their roles in the entire process
• Ensure that critical inspections are being performed
• Evaluate the overall effectiveness of the process to achieve first-time quality

Superintendents

• Walk the jobsite daily to inspect work in progress
• Act as the first line of defense for quality
• Report deficiencies
• Communicate expectations and heightened awareness issues to contractors

Read about the Role of the Superintendent in Quality Management Systems

Project Managers

• Interface with customers to gain an understanding of expectations
• Ensure the project has resources to perform quality functions
• Hire qualified contractors and personnel based on quality performance
• Show commitment to the quality control processes and quality management systems
• Support the roles of quality manager and superintendent

President and Senior Managers

• Commit to the quality management program
• Implement company wide quality performance measures
• Evaluate personnel performance based on QM roles and responsibilities  
  
  

Every company in the construction industry has a unique structure, so these are just examples of what the roles and responsibilities could look like.

You can adapt this framework for your company as long as the key responsibilities are covered.

For example, in a smaller company, the superintendent might also take on the role of quality manager.

The main point is that you must establish clear roles and outline the responsibilities for each of them—a successful quality program depends on the entire team being engaged in the process.

What About Subcontractors?

There is a major player missing from the list above: the subcontractor. The role of subcontractors in quality management is a highly debated topic. It can be very hard to define, as subs are the people who do much of the work on a construction project, and any defects they produce will impact the quality of the project.

Given this, you can’t ignore the responsibility of subcontractors in your quality program.

In an ideal world, subcontractors would be fully integrated into your quality management process by performing self-inspections, reporting defects, and closing them out in a timely manner.

However, this is not usually the reality. A more practical approach is to use your quality management system to measure subcontractor performance and to regularly communicate with them about expectations and staying on track.

Final Thoughts: Building Accountability in Project Quality

Project quality management is everyone’s responsibility. The goal of project quality management is to ensure a successful project completion and to protect the time and resources invested by the stakeholders.

One of the essential factors in any quality management system, especially if you want to improve quality performance, is making sure responsibilities are clearly assigned and that each person is accountable for the tasks required by their roles.   

To avoid the cost of delays or mishaps in construction, it’s important for each team member to do their part. This means that each member is partly responsible for keeping quality management process on track and progressing as expected, but also for communicating with other team members.

FTQ360 is a quality control tool that can help you set up your quality management system based on your organization’s established roles and responsibilities.

• Set up the Quality Management System that matches your companies' responsibilities and processes
• Enable you to seamlessly coordinate with other departments for their input on the defects and deficiencies
• Enable to track and verify that all your project’s requirements are met
• Enable you to track and monitor progress of your Quality Management System
• Review and approve documentation and reporting before it is sent to relevant parties
• Ensure that corrective action plans are in place and followed upon inspection of work

If you want to see how it works, schedule a demo today.

Quality Assurance FAQ

What does a Quality Assurance Project Manager do?

A Quality Assurance Project Manager (QA PM) is responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring processes that ensure project deliverables meet predefined quality standards. In construction, this includes developing QA plans, conducting audits, managing documentation, and working closely with subcontractors to ensure compliance with codes and client requirements.

What is the difference between a QA Project Manager and a Project Quality Manager?

While both roles focus on quality, a QA Project Manager works at the process and planning level, ensuring quality systems are in place. A Project Quality Manager focuses more on field execution  performing inspections, resolving defects, and enforcing standards during construction. The QA PM is proactive; the PQM is often reactive.

Is a QA Project Manager responsible for compliance?

Yes. QA Project Managers are responsible for ensuring that all processes, materials, and deliverables comply with internal policies, industry standards (like ISO 9001), and local building codes. They also manage documentation and traceability to support regulatory audits.

Why is a QA Project Manager important in construction?

In construction, a QA PM helps reduce rework, improve safety, and increase client satisfaction by embedding quality assurance into the planning and execution phases. Their work ensures that quality is achieved through process control — not just after-the-fact inspections.

What certifications are helpful for QA Project Managers?

Common certifications include:

• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor

• Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) – by ASQ

• Certified Construction Manager (CCM)

• Six Sigma Green/Black Belt

These credentials enhance credibility and help QA PMs implement structured quality systems.

How does a QA Project Manager contribute to project success?

A QA PM helps projects succeed by ensuring that quality issues are identified early, processes are standardized, and risks are minimized — leading to better outcomes and fewer costly delays.