In previous posts we discussed the importance of quality assurance and quality control as a whole. In this blog we will walk you through quality control processes and why you need them.
A strong Quality control process and quality control plan is a key component of any construction project. Or at least it should be.
Magnificent architecture doesn't emerge from a spontaneous assembly of elements; instead, it evolves through careful, methodical design and construction. This process follows a meticulously planned strategy for managing materials, tools, workmanship, and quality. Emphasising this approach, it's crucial that any contemporary construction project adheres to the same principles.
This underscores the importance of a quality management system, where the integration of quality control is imperative within every phase of the manufacturing or business process. This comprehensive perspective guarantees that the final outcome not only meets but exceeds the desired standards, reflecting the precision and excellence applied at each stage of the project.
In order to conform to desired specifications and exceed client requirements, robust and diligent contractor quality management processes must be in place before work begins to ensure each element of the project is successfully completed within the constraints of quality, time, and costs. A quality plan will be the backbone of your strategy to achieve first-time quality.
Unfortunately, achieving consistent quality and keeping high quality standards in construction is complicated and something of a problem in the industry.
Combined with budget constraints, the urgency of project deadlines means that contractors must do everything they can to stay on schedule. Quality inspections must be performed in a timely and efficient manner. Issues must be identified fast so they can be resolved fast – all to the required quality standard and within health and safety parameters.
As such, it is crucial that project leaders and site managers have a clear oversight that the project is progressing properly and that any problems with the work are flagged up so they can be quickly solved.
Absent, outdated, or poorly designed programs hinder the speed and effectiveness of quality management inspection processes, thereby slowing down the progress of the entire project by stopping you from achieving your quality objectives.
Often, the approach is ad hoc – the inspector walks the site and relies on experience to decide what to inspect and when to inspect. This can result in quality issues going undetected until they eventually manifest as larger problems that require expensive rework or more serious penalties if safety has been compromised. Integrating methods quality control introduces a systematic and proactive approach, wherein specific inspection protocols and methodologies are employed to ensure the overall quality of the project.
Additionally, a meticulous assessment of raw materials becomes imperative, as it allows for the early identification of any quality discrepancies at their origin. Quality control specialists contribute significantly to this process, utilising their expertise to design and implement effective quality control measures, thereby reducing the risk of oversight and potential issues during the project's lifecycle.
More time is lost when relying on traditional, paper-based methods of contractor quality management. Scribbling down notes of observations in the field, taking pictures, then going back to the office to type up the report, attach the photos, and email the documents to the relevant stakeholders – who must then find the time to read, approve, and schedule actions to be taken – all eats up precious time and costs.
Access to documents is another issue with traditional, offline methods. Architectural plans, drawing mark-ups and other documents all must be readily at hand for a project to continuously progress quickly and seamlessly. Too often they’re not, resulting in more time spent hunting missing documentation, rather than getting on with tasks and driving the project forward.
Finally, resistance from field personnel to perform quality control inspections properly (or even at all), is another common hindrance to ensuring project quality and progress.
Accusations of micromanagement and corporate red tape, or perceptions that the quality control program does nothing but add more processes and paperwork to already-demanding workloads, are by no means unusual, and put up barriers to a successful quality program which can be difficult to tear down.
It all combines to a situation where the tail is effectively wagging the dog in contractor quality management inspection processes. For a project to proceed as smoothly as possible, contractors must firmly grasp their quality control program, ensuring wholehearted participation from the workforce. This involves the strategic implementation of a quality control plan template, a detailed framework that outlines specific procedures and criteria for inspections.
A nuanced understanding of manufacturing processes is crucial in this context, enabling the seamless alignment of quality control measures with the intricacies of production methods. Upholding industry standards is equally paramount, guaranteeing that the project not only meets but surpasses the established benchmarks for quality and safety. This integrated approach, encompassing the quality control plan template, manufacturing processes, and adherence to industry standards, ensures a harmonious and efficient progression of the project.
What, then, is the solution?
Effective communication, collaboration, and document-sharing are paramount to a successful contractor quality management program. None of this can be achieved using traditional, paper-based methods which have significant flaws.
Thankfully, today, powerful digital solutions are available that allow you to take back control and ensure smoother processes and greater efficiency, preventing time from being lost and ultimately reducing costs.
Without digital assistance, quality inspections at all levels are inherently time-consuming, cumbersome, and likely to meet resistance from field personnel. Quality control inspection software is the answer.
For starters, quality control inspection software allows contractors to go paperless, immediately improving documentation access and sharing.
Rather than dealing with and storing mountains of paper, all documentation relevant to a project – including the quality management program itself, where all processes, practices, and procedures are defined to ensure the project’s quality requirements are met or exceeded – is stored in the cloud and instantly accessible by all personnel via a smartphone or tablet app.
One of the greatest benefits of this functionality in the field is that as soon as a quality control inspection identifies a quality issue on a project site, any member of the team can use their device to photograph and document its nature and exact location along with any relevant notes. That information can be shared to a centralized location instantly, where it can be easily accessed by all stakeholders.
This ensures everybody can see and find important quality control information quickly and that defects are addressed in a timely manner. Information is never lost.
Going paperless with quality control inspection software also means putting an end to paper-based checklists.
The best solutions available today have hundreds of field-proven checklists ready to use straight out of the box, all of which can be easily adapted or modified in line with the project’s precise requirements.
Using the digital app, team members and subcontractors can go through the checklists easily, making any relevant notes and attaching photographs against each item where necessary, with all information and updates uploaded straight to the cloud.
Similarly, when it comes to reporting on quality control inspections, the inspector can compile the report whilst on site, eliminating the need to scribble notes on a piece of paper for typing up later – a scenario which essentially means the same task is performed twice.
Instead, once the site walk is complete, the finished report is instantly shared to the cloud and the rest of the team.
With such a powerful tool in everybody’s pockets, not only is the quality management program vastly improved, but field personnel are able to perform inspections and complete all relevant due diligence and documentation digitally, with the minimum level of effort and no paperwork whatsoever.
In this way, as your improved quality control program begins to reduce callbacks, eliminate recurring issues and increase the rate at which work is completed first time to the required quality standard, you reduce the workload of field personnel, not add to it.
This will help you get the all-important buy in for your quality control program.
Construction projects of all sizes need to be completed on time, within budget, and – crucially – to the required standards of quality.
Implementing a quality management software system can help you achieve all of these organizational goals and realize a number of long-term commercial gains, including boosts to customer satisfaction and loyalty, reductions of costly errors and wastage and improvements to the overall efficiency of your operations across the board.
FTQ360 is designed to help you optimize your quality inspection processes.
With more than 600 built-in checklists for all types of general construction that can be customized as needed – as well as dedicated checklists for specialty construction trades – FTQ360 will help you accelerate towards First Time Quality excellence.
You can also add notes and take pictures during inspections, with all data updated and communicated in real time so you can make decisions fast and keep the project driving forward.
And with powerful analytics, automated communications – including alerts, notifications, and reminders – and the ability to create and document inspection reports in the field, FTQ360 allows you to take back full control of your inspection process and get reliable results every time.
Get in touch to find out more or start your free trial today.