Quality Management in Construction Projects

The aim of this study is to examine the barriers to the adoption of emerging technologies for quality management in construction projects. A questionnaire was designed to examine the barriers to the adoption of emerging technologies for quality management in construction projects. Questionnaires were distributed, and 127 valid responses were elicited. Thereafter, data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study was limited to barriers to the adoption of emerging technologies in construction quality management in Nigeria utilising a quantitative research method. The study’s findings can serve as a model for tackling similar barriers in other countries in the global south. The results of the exploratory factor analysis reveal that the critical barriers to emerging technologies in construction quality management in the Nigerian construction industry can be grouped into three principal components: institutional and regulatory, organisational, and technology and industry collaboration barriers. Understanding these findings offers a roadmap for accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in construction quality management, leading to improved productivity, reduced rework, enhanced compliance, and sustainable industry growth. Keywords: Adoption, Barriers, Construction projects, Emerging technologies, Quality management.

Abdul Razzak Rumane, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2011, 434 pp., ISBN 978 1 4398 3871 6, US$90.00 Issues of quality management, quality control and performance against specification have long been th...

In construction projects, conducting dynamic load tests on all piles proves impractical. Selective testing estimates bearing capacity, while the remaining piles rely on penetration depth for management. This approach, however, faces reliability issues due to varying conditions among piles. Technological advancements, such as non-contact hammers and sensors, have enhanced the accuracy of penetration depth measurements during final driving. Nonetheless, relying solely on penetration depth for construction and quality management remains problematic. This study, therefore, focuses on enhancing the use of driving formulas to improve pile quality management, particularly for the widely used pre-stressed high-strength concrete (PHC) piles. To improve pile quality management, existing driving formulas underwent review and refinement. Utilizing 258 dynamic load test data from various sites, the Hiley, Gates, and Danish formulas underwent validation through statistical analysis and graphical comparison. Enhancements to the Gates formula, achieved through curve fitting with actual data and the application of segment-based coefficients, demonstrated increased accuracy in bearing capacity estimation. These improvements offer a more reliable approach to pile quality management in construction projects.

This research focuses on assessing the cost of quality in the construction industry of Pakistan, particularly duringthe design and construction phase of building projects. Through a quantitative approach, data was collected from125 questionnaires, group discussions, and interviews. The study aims to analyze critical factors influencingquality using the Relative Importance Index (RII) and Mean Item Score (MIS) method, as well as to calculate thetotal Cost of Quality as a percentage. Findings indicate a significant lack of emphasis on quality managementpractices within construction organizations, with many failing to allocate budgets for quality assurance andcontrol. Critical factors affecting the Cost of Quality include project complexity and size, efficiency of qualitymanagement systems, contractor classification, supervision team experience, and project location. Furthermore,the total cost of quality for construction projects was found to be 54.32%, with prevention costs accounting for15.5% of the budget, appraisal costs constituting 12.3% of the budget, internal failure costs amounting to 13.9%of the budget, and external failure costs totaling 12.6% of the budget. Recommendations include the developmentof clear quality policies, prioritizing critical factors affecting quality, proper allocation of budget for qualitycontrol, and establishment of dedicated quality control management departments within organizations. This studycontributes to understanding the importance of quality management in construction projects and highlights theneed for proactive quality assurance and control mechanisms to enhance project outcomes and mitigate financialrisks.

This research study investigates the potential use and best-fitting model for the automated making-do waste classification in construction sites, using Machine Learning techniques to reduce labor and inconsistencies of the manual method. Given the difficulty of manually analyzing a textual database of non-conformities, an automated method applying Machine Learning algorithms is proposed. A total of 8,196 records were collected from the Melius Qualidade service management platform, covering twenty-one high-end multifamily residential projects from three construction companies in Goiânia/GO, of which 3,598 were considered suitable for this research after filtering. The initial classification was done manually, followed by applying nine Machine Learning algorithms by using the Orange Data Mining software for testing and evaluation. Results indicated that grouping data by company yielded the best prediction accuracy, while the Neural Network model achieved a recall of up to 98.20%, making it the most effective. The study highlights that automation accelerates the classification process and improves precision and consistency in identifying making-do waste, significantly contributing to quality management in construction projects.

Moreover, there is an increasing amount of literature covering specific geotechnical risk analysis and management topics. Examples of these are the difference between unsafe geotechnical certainty and safe geotechnical uncertainty (Barends, 2005), the role of the human factor in achieving geotechnical reliability (Bea, 2006), objective and subjective ways of geotechnical risk classification (Altabba et al., 2004), and contractual allocation of geotechnical risk (Essex, 2007).

This study was conducted to determine the level of project management skills, people management skills and operational excellence of construction project managers in private construction services. The respondents were the project management team composed of 215 engineers, architects, technical staff and document controllers fairly distributed to the three business units. The study utilized the descriptive correlational research method. Analysis of data revealed the following findings: The construction project managers had a high level of project management skills in terms of scope management skills, schedule management skills, resources management skills, risks management skills, and quality management skills (=3.62). The construction project manager had a very high level of people management skills in terms of integrity, influence and persuasion, leadership, and planning (= 3.64). In terms of operational excellence, the construction project managers obtained a very high level on customer focus, flexibility, and systematic problem solving (= 3.62). A significant relationship was noted between construction project manager’s project management skills and people management skills; a significant relationship was perceived between project manager’s project management skills and operational excellence; and a significant relationship was noted on people management skills and operational excellence. Based on the summary of findings, the following conclusions were drawn, (1) The construction project managers had a very high level of project management skills in terms of scope management skills, schedule management skills, cost management skills, resources management skills, risks management skills, and quality management skills. (2) The construction project managers had a very high level of people management skills in terms of integrity, influence and persuasion, leadership, and planning. (3) The construction project managers had a very high level of operational excellence in terms of customer focus, flexibility, and systematic problem-solving. (4) The higher the level of construction project manager’s project management skills, the higher the level of their people management skills. (5) The higher the level of construction project manager’s project management skills, the higher the level of their operational excellence. (6) The higher the level of construction project manager’s people management skills, the higher the level of their operational excellence. (7) All the constructs of project management skills, only risks management skills and management skills are the significant predictors of the respondents’ level of operational excellence, implying that the higher the level of project management skills in terms of risks management and scope management skills, the higher the level of operational excellence of the respondents. To deliver the project successfully, the construction project managers should consistently demonstrate and balance the application of project management and people management since the area of focus of CPM in the project revolves in day to day managing of resources (material, manpower and equipment), solving problems, overcoming project challenges, dealing with changes in project requirements, communicating with stakeholders and satisfying the customer’s expectations. With these, the decision and approach of CPM would be solid and cohesive through collaboration with the project management team.

Целью статьи является проведение исследования, анализа и уточнение существующей терминологии в области управления проектами как части менеджмента, выявление особенностей его применения в управлении инвестиционно-строительными проектам. Актуальность выбранной цели обусловлена отсутствием единства в терминологическом определении базовых понятий, а успешное управление проектами в строительной отрасли требует особого внимания к специфической терминологии и методологиям. Автор приводит подробный обзор существующих научных источников по данной тематике. Особое внимание уделяется таким терминам, как «проект», «управление проектом», на основании чего делается вывод об определенной терминологической разобщенности. На основе анализа теоретических аспектов управления проектами автор предлагает рассматривать проект как комплекс взаимосвязанных действий по достижению определенных уникальных целей. Под строительным проектом следует подразумевать строительно-инвестиционный проект, который является комплексом взаимосвязанных действий по созданию объектов недвижимости, при ограничениях, присущих данного рода проектам. В процессе исследования выявляются особенности толкования этих базовых терминов по отношению к строительной отрасли, рассматриваются определения «управление инвестиционно-строительным проектом», «строительно-инвестиционный проект», так как наличие базовых определений не уточняет значения данного термина в конкретной сфере в строительстве. Сделано предложение, что совершенствование научной базы, выявление отдельных тенденций ее развития положительно влияет на отрасль, которая на нее опирается. The purpose of the article is to conduct research, analysis and clarification of existing terminology in the field of project management as part of management, to identify the features of its application in the management of investment and construction projects. The relevance of the chosen goal is due to the lack of unity in the terminological definition of basic concepts, and successful project management in the construction industry requires special attention to specific terminology and methodologies. The author provides a detailed overview of existing scientific sources on this topic. Special attention is paid to such terms as "project", "project management", on the basis of which a conclusion is drawn about a certain terminological disunity. Based on the analysis of the theoretical aspects of project management, the author suggests considering the project as a set of interrelated actions to achieve certain unique goals. A construction project should be understood as a construction and investment project, which is a set of interrelated actions to create real estate objects, with the limitations inherent in this kind of projects. In the course of the research, the peculiarities of the interpretation of these basic terms in relation to the construction industry are revealed, the definitions of "investment and construction project management", "construction and investment project" are considered, since the presence of basic definitions does not clarify the meaning of this term in a specific area in our case, in construction. It is suggested that the improvement of the scientific base, the identification of individual trends in its development has a positive effect on the industry that relies on it.

This article focuses on analyzing the core principles and approaches to strategic innovation changes in construction projects. It highlights the methodological foundations that define the effectiveness of construction project management in a changing market environment and the integration of innovations into the activities of key market participants, such as developers, contractors, investors, and end-users. Given that the construction industry is one of the most capital-intensive and complex sectors to manage, strategic innovations can provide significant competitive advantages and cost reduction. The article discusses key methodological approaches to implementing changes in construction project management, particularly the use of integrated management models, the application of digital technologies, and new approaches to project financing and implementation. It also emphasizes the importance of flexible strategies that enable adaptation to market changes, environmental requirements, and technological innovations. As a result, the article outlines the significance of strategic management and innovations for the development of construction projects and improving their efficiency. This paper also highlights the key challenges faced by construction market participants when implementing innovative strategies in construction project management. One of the main challenges is the need to adapt to rapid changes in the economic and technological environment, which requires flexibility in management and the ability to quickly respond to new market demands. Considering the high capital intensity of construction projects, enterprises must focus on effective resource and investment management, which is only possible through the introduction of innovative methods and technologies. Important aspects include the use of digital tools, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), management automation systems, big data analytics (Big Data), and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, which allow optimizing processes, reducing costs, and improving the quality of work execution. The article also examines the importance of integrating stakeholders into the project management process, which helps create more transparent and effective conditions for all market participants. Involving investors, contractors, and end-users in decision-making processes helps reduce risks and improve the efficiency of interaction among all parties. Considering their interests and integrating with the latest project management approaches are key elements for achieving long-term success in the construction market. As a result, the article provides recommendations for improving construction project management through the integration of innovative strategies, including the latest technologies and flexible management strategies that contribute to increased efficiency, cost reduction, and enhanced competitiveness of construction enterprises.

This article focuses on enhancing the performance of supervisory consultants in construction projects through assessments conducted in the LKPP's SIKaP application. Supervision plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth execution of construction activities and addressing potential obstacles. The quality and safety of construction operations have become increasingly important, necessitating effective supervision. The article highlights the importance of conducting assessments to measure the success of supervisory consultants in meeting project objectives and adhering to established standards. It emphasizes the evaluation of various performance criteria, including human resources, equipment, materials, costs, time, and quality. The assessment process enables the identification of strengths and weaknesses, facilitating corrective measures and improving future performance. The article also emphasizes the interconnectedness of construction supervision and project management, with project management playing a pivotal role in achieving project goals. Communication management is highlighted as a crucial aspect for effective project execution. The regulatory framework governing technical supervision activities in construction projects is discussed, along with the roles and responsibilities of construction management and construction supervision service providers. The article emphasizes the importance of on-site inspections, project administration, progress monitoring, and quality management in construction supervision. Lastly, the article discusses the evaluation of providers' performance in goods/services procurement, emphasizing the importance of quality, cost efficiency, and adherence to standards. The implementation of the SIKaP application is seen as a means to enhance transparency, accountability, and project quality in the construction industry, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and industry benchmarking.

Rivalry competitiveness, significant capital investments, and cultural diversity are defining the construction industry’s evolving nature. Therefore, construction organizations have to manage their construction projects’ relationships carefully. Construction management researchers have progressively recognized the intelligible link between Relationship Management and construction project performance. However, few studies structurally reviewed the precipitated progression in this topic. This paper follows a systematic approach to review the literature from reliable databases and prominent journals between 2000–2020 in topics associated with Relationship Management in construction projects. This investigation sets to identify the key characteristics, categorial dimensions, attributes, or enablers of relationship management in construction. More than 500 articles were explored in this systematic review by thorough keyword research, out of which 73 articles were found relevant to this topic where an explicit content analysis was carried out. The findings identified 18 key Relationship Management characteristics classified into four categories: Contract-related, Management-related, Team-related, and General characteristics. Project Managers are recommended to pay specific attention on investigated characteristics to strengthen relationships, promote collaboration, and thereby foster project performance.

Risk management in construction projects has great importance through its impact on the basic objectives of the construction projects, as controlling the risks of the construction projects helps reduce cost overruns and time overruns and improve the quality of the construction projects. This paper aims to highlight the role of BIM in risk management in construction projects by generating a predictive risk model using Monte Carlo simulation to analyze a number of risks and generating a 3D model and 4D model to show the effect of risks. The predictive risk model can help project managers control the risks that affect the construction projects and enhance communication between all stakeholders for the project. The methodology was applied to two risk scenarios, the optimistic scenario for risks, and the pessimistic scenario for risks in one of the construction projects in Iraqi through the use of four commercial programs working together. The study concluded that the building information modeling technique has great importance in reducing the risks affecting the construction project by showing the effect of these risks during the project’s construction phases and controlling them.

The emotional intelligence of a construction project manager plays an essential role in project management, and recent developments in teamwork have increased the need to explore better ways to utilize teams and achieve effectiveness in the construction sector. However, research that holds the team-level perspective in emotional intelligence studies is lacking, and the mechanism of the construction project manager’s emotional intelligence on team effectiveness remains unexplored. This knowledge gap is addressed by developing a model that illuminates how construction project manger’s emotional intelligence can affect team effectiveness via the mediation of team cohesion and the moderation of project team duration. A questionnaire survey was utilized to gather information from construction project teams across 156 leader-member dyads in the Chinese construction industry. The results reveal that construction project manager’s emotional intelligence is positively related to team effectiveness and the team cohesion mediates this cause and effect. Further, project team duration moderates the relationship between team cohesion and effectiveness. This study offers new insight into how project manager can better lead team members toward desired team outcomes from a team perspective and makes an explorative effort in investigating the “time” role in construction project management.

With the increase in legislation and the drive for ever-greater efficiency and accountability, health and safety in construction is becoming an increasingly important subject. This book covers the essential issues that apply specifically to construction projects, including the nature and causes of occupational injury or illness, project organisation and OHS, OHS risk management, OHS legislation, the psychology of OHS, behavioural safety management, using IT to manage OHS, and OHS training. Numerous case studies illustrate important points and refer to current successful safety management techniques, giving practical guidance to the practitioner and putting the issues into context for the student. This book will be of specific interest to clients, project managers, specialist consultants, designers, contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers.

Evaluating the impact of internet communication quality in human resource management on the productivity of construction projects