Total Quality Management at Construction Jobsites

A major challenge in implementing Total Quality Management (TQM) in the design/construction industry is applying its principles on the jobsite. For years TQM has been readily applied to manufacturing, in which work is repetitious and the workforce is generally stable. Construction, however, offers much more variability; each project represents a unique formula of design, location, personnel, materials, weather, cost, and time. Meeting this challenge is a new process called Jobsite Quality Planning in which TQM tools and techniques are used to arrive at a common project mission supported by specific objectives. Following the quality principles of customer satisfaction, respect for people, management by fact, and continuous improvement, a quality lead team puts its unique plan into action. It focuses on recognition, quality teams, quality indicators, and training and development. In working the plan, momentum is built toward a project on which everyone wins. When this happens, the project can be described as truly a total success.