Construction quality is a critical factor in determining project acceptance and resultant contractual payment levels. Participants in the construction industry have become notably conscious of the role of quality as an essential means to achieve client satisfaction and gain a competitive advantage. Acceptable quality levels in construction have long been a problem to attain on time and within budget in a highly dynamic, complex, and competitive environment. With inefficient or nonexistent quality management procedures, significant expenditures of time, money, and resources are wasted on construction projects (Rounds and Chi, 1985).
Over the past several years, the construction industry has expanded very fast in Vietnam. The construction industry mainly focuses on profit. Due to intensive competition, customer’s requirements are overlooked. It is crucial to the industry to attend to quality and service ability. An example is the 2007 Can Tho bridge disaster. It is not only the responsibility of the participants but of the industry as a whole. No matter what the scope of projects, they have to take people into account because construction is for utilization by people.
Mr. Lu Dinh Vu made a case study which main objective is to develop a QMS framework for supervising consultants that can be effectively used to manage the performance of highway contractors in vietnam. In his study, he investigated the construction methods associated with quality control. The quality control framework was prepared based on the vietnamese standard and regulation. This contributes to compiling important standards and regulations directly affecting quality control in construction. In addition, his case study also analyzed the communication process of managing quality which showed the relationship and duties of the participants in the construction project. Each participant in the project has different roles, but the same objective towards construction quality.
Mr. Vu’s findings regarding the problems on implementing quality on project and its solution can be seen on the table below.
Over the past several years, the construction industry has expanded very fast in Vietnam. The construction industry mainly focuses on profit. Due to intensive competition, customer’s requirements are overlooked. It is crucial to the industry to attend to quality and service ability. An example is the 2007 Can Tho bridge disaster. It is not only the responsibility of the participants but of the industry as a whole. No matter what the scope of projects, they have to take people into account because construction is for utilization by people.
Mr. Lu Dinh Vu made a case study which main objective is to develop a QMS framework for supervising consultants that can be effectively used to manage the performance of highway contractors in vietnam. In his study, he investigated the construction methods associated with quality control. The quality control framework was prepared based on the vietnamese standard and regulation. This contributes to compiling important standards and regulations directly affecting quality control in construction. In addition, his case study also analyzed the communication process of managing quality which showed the relationship and duties of the participants in the construction project. Each participant in the project has different roles, but the same objective towards construction quality.
Mr. Vu’s findings regarding the problems on implementing quality on project and its solution can be seen on the table below.
His thesis abstract is copied and posted.
ABSTRACT
The study discusses the quality management system of the consultant supervision function as implemented in highway construction projects. This function is shown as an interconnected system that recognizes the main quality system management activities. Documents and records used in these activities are also reviewed. A model for high quality system management is defined, including supervising consultants and contractors.
The model depicts the quality management system responsibilities and roles in a scheme relating construction quality control, quality assurance, and the interface between them. The scheme can be applied to any construction domain and quality management organizational structure. The study advances the understanding of how quality management is performed and engages participants at several management levels.
The main objective of this study is to develop a quality management system framework for supervising consultants that can be effectively used to manage the performance of highway contractors in vietnam.
An exploratory approach by reviewing the available literature to develop a QMS framework for supervising consultants and test the applicability and effectiveness of this QMS framework in a real case study project. The case study project aims to answer following questions:
- Is the QMS framework applicable?
- Is the QMS framework effective?
- What are the problems and obstacles in implementing the QMS framework?
For the QMS framework to work effectively the role of the supervising consultant is very important, QMS framework must be implemented on a step by step basis, including inputàprocessàoutput.
- In case study, the major highway construction works have been presented. They are guidelines for contractors who implemented them to achieve construction quality.
- A case study has been conducted to investigate the building methods associated with quality control. The quality control framework as presented in the report was prepared based on the vietnamese standards and regulations. This contributes to compiling important standards and regulations directly affecting quality control in construction.
