How to Master QAQC: ITPs, Project Quality Plans, and Quality Manuals

In construction, the best practice for structuring a QAQC program lies in establishing a hierarchy between the Company Quality Manual, Project-Specific Quality Plans, and Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs).

Together, these documents form the backbone of effective quality management. Each plays a unique role in cascading quality requirements from high-level organizational policies down to specific site-level actions. This structured approach fosters consistency, accountability, and adaptability, enabling construction teams to meet client expectations, regulatory requirements, and technical standards with precision.

The Company Quality Manual: The Top-Level Authority

The Company Quality Manual is the cornerstone of quality management across all construction projects. It sets the universal principles, policies, and procedures that govern the organization’s operations, regardless of project size, location, or complexity. This strategic document ensures every project adheres to a consistent baseline of quality practices, reducing variability and promoting uniformity.

Key Functions of the Company Quality Manual

• Establishing Universal Policies: Broad mandates such as compliance with codes, industry standards, and requiring inspections by qualified personnel.
• Defining Standardized Procedures: Detailed steps for verifying contractor qualifications, managing inspection records, and resolving non-conformances.
• Promoting Consistency Across Projects: A unified framework for diverse construction activities, from residential builds to large-scale infrastructure.

Example: A policy mandating that all concrete testing must be performed by ASTM-certified laboratories ensures uniform practices across projects.

Strategic Role: The Quality Manual focuses on what QAQC should achieve, leaving the tactical details of how to the Project-Specific Quality Plan.

[Click below to download a 15-page sample of a general contracting Quality Manual courtesy of FirstTimeQuality.com.]

Project-Specific Quality Plan: Tailored for Each Construction Project

The Project-Specific Quality Plan bridges the gap between high-level policies in the Company Quality Manual and the practical methods and procedures used on-site. It adapts these principles to meet the specific needs of the project, ensuring compliance with its scope, local regulations, and client expectations.

Key Features of the Project-Specific Quality Plan

• Project Specifications and Client Requirements: Customizes baseline standards for unique materials, designs, and methods, such as stricter wind-load testing for certain locations.
• Incorporating Local Regulations: Identifies relevant building codes, safety protocols, and environmental standards.
• Aligning Policies with Project Procedures: Translates organizational policies into actionable project steps, such as how deficiencies will be documented or progress reports prepared.

Example: For a high-rise project, the plan may require AWS D1.1-certified inspectors with five years of experience in high-rise construction for weld inspections.

[Click below to download a 15-page sample of a Project-Specific Quality Plan courtesy of FirstTimeQuality.com.]

ITPs: Task-Level Execution Framework

At the task level, Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) operationalize the quality requirements outlined in the Project-Specific Quality Plan. ITPs provide clear requirements for conducting specific on-site quality control inspections and tests, ensuring accountability and compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Components of ITPs

• Tests: Required tests such as field slump tests on each concrete delivery.
• Inspection Points: Identifies critical stages requiring inspection, such as verifying rebar placement before concrete pours.
• Hold and Witness Points: Establishes when work must pause for inspections (hold points) or when stakeholders observe without halting progress (witness points).
• Capability Reviews: ITPs include design reviews, supplier qualification audits, and other prudent verifications to assure constructability and minimize construction risks.

Example: An ITP for structural concrete might mandate a hold point to verify rebar placement, with detailed documentation submitted for client review.

Hierarchical Flow Example: Welding Inspections on a Construction Project

Company Quality Manual:

• Policy: "All weld inspections must be conducted by AWS-certified personnel."
• Procedure: "Inspectors must submit certifications before assignment, and non-conformances must be addressed through corrective action."

Project-Specific Quality Plan:

• Customization: "Structural steel weld inspections require AWS D1.1 certification and 5+ years of high-rise experience as mandated by the client."

ITP for Welding Activities:

Execution:

• Inspection Point: Verify welder certifications before structural welds begin.
• Hold Point: Conduct and approve visual weld inspections after the first weld pass.
• Documentation: Record certifications, inspection outcomes, and non-conformance reports.

This structured framework offers significant benefits:

• Consistency: The Company Quality Manual ensures uniform principles and procedures across projects.
• Flexibility: The Project-Specific Quality Plan adapts to individual project requirements.
• Precision Execution: ITPs translate policies into actionable, on-site steps, empowering teams to implement quality requirements effectively.

By connecting high-level policies with task-level execution, this hierarchy ensures comprehensive quality control throughout the construction process. It supports compliance, mitigates risks, and delivers superior project outcomes. 

Take the First Step Toward Digital QAQC Quality Management System

Digitizing your QAQC Quality Management System (QMS) is a transformative step for any construction company. By leveraging digital tools, you can enhance quality management across your organization, saving time and reducing costs associated with manual processes. The benefits far outweigh the risks and inefficiencies of outdated systems.

With platforms like FTQ360, consistent, company-wide digital approaches to QAQC is seamless.

Ready to elevate your quality management? Schedule a live demo today and discover how FTQ360 can transform your QAQC processes.