Toakley, A R and Marosszeky, M (2003) Towards total project quality - A review of research needs. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 10(3), pp. 219-228. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
The focus of quality management (QM) in the construction industry, and its literature, has been on during construction and on product quality. The construction phase represents the final step in the construction procurement process, however it is the outcome of the previous stages of analysis, planning and design and represents but a small fraction of the overall cost and value that is created in the construction and use of buildings and built infrastructure. In other industry sectors and through the international quality movement, the focus in QM has moved to total quality. This is reflected internationally in the criteria for quality awards in which product quality represents only some 20 per cent of the total score for an enterprise. This paper briefly reviews the development of the quality movement and its application within the construction sector and suggests a broader scope for the application of quality concepts within the procurement process from a whole-of-life perspective. Identifies also areas which require further research.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; procurement; project management; research; total quality management |
| Index terms: | construction procurement, construction phase, quality management, construction industry, project management, built infrastructure, product quality, construction sector, total quality management, industry sector, movement, procurement process |
| Subjects: | quality assurance, industry analysis, building construction, project management theory and practice, project delivery, evaluation methods, contractual arrangements, health behaviours and lifestyles |
| Topics: | Project Management, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Procurement, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here