Impact of Proactive Quality Management Practices on Construction Project Performance

Quality management is an essential aspect of ensuring that construction projects are completed successfully. Conventional approaches to quality control tend to be reactive since defects are detected after completion, which necessitates rework, wasted materials, higher costs, and delayed schedules. To address such problems, the construction sector is gradually embracing proactive quality management techniques that aim at preventing defects and enhancing performance continuously.

The present study examines the effects of proactive quality management techniques on the performance of construction projects. Specifically, the study addresses preventative inspections, method statements and quality checklists, and worker and engineer training programs. In this research, a mixed-method design was utilized, comprising questionnaires, interviews, site visits, and analysis of Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs). The gathered data was analyzed using percentage analysis, Relative Importance Index (RII), and ranking techniques.

The results show that preventive inspections play a crucial role in recognizing any flaws in the early stages of development, whereas the use of method statements and quality checklists brings about consistency in construction operations. However, it was determined that training and skill development programs had the most significant contribution to productivity levels, quality of workmanship, and eliminating recurrent flaws. This study suggests that quality management approaches play an essential role in improving construction performance by decreasing the occurrence of defects, minimizing rework, reducing the cost of poor quality (CoPQ), and increasing productivity.