What is Quality assurance in construction?

If you are a professional in the construction sector, you may know well that creating works that meet the quality requirements set at the beginning of the project is a fundamental aspect. Construction Quality Management deals with using verification procedures or tools such as an ifc checker, which allow you to run quality checks directly on the IFC file before the construction even starts.

In a previous article, we saw one of the aspects of construction quality management, namely Construction Quality Control (QC). But are you aware that there is another aspect to Quality Management? This is Quality Assurance (QA).

Construction Quality Assurance (QA) is a set of systematic activities that ensure quality requirements are met throughout the construction process.

In this article, we will explore what QA is, its differences from Quality Control (QC), the key steps to implement an effective Quality Assurance Program (QAP), and the numerous benefits this approach can bring, not only in terms of compliance and safety but also in customer satisfaction and cost optimization.

What is Quality Assurance in Construction?

Quality Assurance (QA) represents, precisely, the level of quality assurance offered in the AEC sector through a set of planned and systematic activities. It ensures that the quality of the project is integrated into the front-end rather than the back-end of the project itself.

The ASQ – American Society for Quality – considered one of the world’s leading authorities on quality, defines the term “guarantee” and consequently the “Quality Assurance” as follows:

• “Assure: to make sure or certain .“
• “Quality Assurance: the planned and methodical activities implemented in a quality system in order to guarantee that requirements for a given product or service are met.“

Therefore, Quality Assurance:

• provides a documented process by which the quality requirements are met;
• establishes a benchmark;
• is systematic and reproducible;
• provides a means of continuous improvement.

In the construction sector, therefore, reputation and trust are fundamental for continuous growth. The best and most transparent way to build and maintain the trust of your customers is to guarantee the promised quality. For this purpose, the so-called Quality Assurance Programs (QAP) exist. They can be defined as a set of activities and initiatives that work together to ensure that a project is carried out according to a predefined quality standard, that a product is installed correctly or that a specific service is provided to the owner of the building according to the highest industry standards.

Quality Assurance Programs (QAPs) follow the principles dictated by ISO 9002 and incorporate a wide range of initiatives, which a construction industry can follow to ensure the correct installation of a product or system.

What are the differences between Quality Assurance and Quality Control?

The fundamental difference betweenQuality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) is that QA as “quality assurance” is focused on the prevention of any design defects while QC, as “quality control” is focused on the identification of any errors, in order to clearly correct them in time and at limited costs.

We could identify Quality Assurance as an agreement, stipulated even before the opening of the construction site, in which the parties agree on the level of quality to be achieved for that specific project. As an agreement,  QA establishes the supervisory process to be followed, identifying methods, principles, standards and strategies for the pursuit of the set quality objective.

On the other hand, QC represents a management system that controls and guarantees the quality of all materials and all work on site.

What Quality Assurance and Quality Control share is the ultimate goal: to ensure the realization of a work that respects the set quality levels.

Quality Assurance vs Quality Control

How to implement a Quality Assurance Program (QAP) in the construction sector?

Achieving and maintaining high design quality standards in the construction sector requires commitment and constant attention. Let’s look together at the 7 steps for implementing an effective Quality Assurance Program (QAP):

• define quality objectives and standards: establish the expected construction standards (e.g. regulatory compliance, safety, construction details, etc.) and the objectives of the QA program, paying attention to customer needs and site obligations;
• document processes and responsibilities: create manuals and operating procedures that include quality control checklists, key roles, technical standards, and reference regulations;
• assign roles and responsibilities: identify individuals responsible for quality (e.g. technical director, site manager, RSPP), or resort to specialized external consultants;
• implement quality control procedures: introduce new practices through technical training, on-site mentoring, and the use of monitoring tools (e.g. site reports, internal audits);
• monitor work progress: conduct regular checks on-site, gather feedback from technicians and workers, and compare results with the expected standards;
• make timely corrections: promptly correct non-conformities and update QA procedures based on project evolution or new issues that arise;
• communicate results to the team: share the outcomes of the checks with operational teams and project managers to strengthen the quality culture and prevent recurring errors.

How to implement a QAP

What are the benefits of Construction Quality Assurance?

The benefits of Construction Quality Assurance are numerous and fundamental to the success of a construction project. Here are the main ones:

• reduction of errors and rework: thanks to constant checks, defects or non-conformities are promptly identified, avoiding costly corrective interventions at the end of the work;
• regulatory and contractual compliance: QA ensures that the works comply with current regulations, technical requirements, and the clauses provided by the contract;
• increased customer satisfaction: a project built to high standards and according to the initial agreements enhances the trust and satisfaction of the client;
• greater safety on site: attention to quality often translates into greater attention to safety and prevention measures;
• optimization of time and costs: QA helps keep the project on schedule and within budget, avoiding unforeseen events and work stoppages;
• better corporate reputation: reliable and durable constructions strengthen the company’s image and foster new job opportunities;
• traceability and transparency: QA documentation creates a verifiable history of the activities carried out, useful in case of disputes or audits.

Why is QA important in the construction world?

In the construction sector, Quality management is an important and a delicate topic. In order to meet the needs of customers and those of the design team in terms of quality of materials and processes – it is necessary that the Quality Management process is supported by the right tools of Quality Assurance and Quality Control.

So, on one hand QC is essential to carry out on-site controls related to the quality of materials and processes. On the other hand, nothing would be possible without prior planning of methods, strategies and standards to follow and respect. That’s what QA is for and why it is so important.

In order to carry out the right quality controls, it is essential to have a vedemecum to follow. The Quality Assurance provides the guidelines – that include the strategy and above all the final qualitative objectives. This phase is preparatory to a good Quality Control.

The synergy between QA and QC is what ensures that a finished product is of quality, through a design process that respects budgets, times and that meets the customers’ needs.

To make a top-quality product, you need to start with a top-quality project! In this sense, my advice is to approach BIM and use the tools usBIM.checker and  usBIM.clash, which will allow you to check and validate all the data of an IFC model and be sure to achieve the design quality you have set!

FAQ- Quality assurance in construction

What is quality assurance in construction?

Quality Assurance in construction is a systematic process that ensures all phases of a building project are executed according to established quality standards. The main objective is to ensure that the construction meets technical specifications, current regulations, and customer expectations.

What is the main objective of Construction Quality Assurance?

Construction Quality Assurance is a systematic process that ensures all phases of a building project are executed according to established quality standards. The main objective is to ensure that the construction meets technical specifications, current regulations, and customer expectations.

What activities are involved in Construction Quality Assurance?

QA in the construction sector involves a series of activities that include:

• inspections: regular verification of materials, construction techniques, and completed work;
• tests and controls: experiments to test the strength, durability, and other critical characteristics of materials or structures;
• management of non-conformities: identification and correction of issues that arise during the construction process;
• supplier verification: quality control of materials and services provided by third-party companies;
• documentation and reporting: recording all control and verification activities to ensure transparency and compliance with regulations.

What is the difference between quality assurance and quality control?

The fundamental difference between Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) is that QA represents a proactive and process-oriented approach focused on preventing design defects, while QC is a reactive and product-oriented approach that involves identifying and correcting defects in the final product.

Why is Quality Assurance important in construction projects?

Quality assurance in construction is essential to minimize the risks of defects and malfunctions, improving the longevity and safety of the building and reducing long-term maintenance costs.

What are the main types of Quality Assurance?

There are four main types of approaches to Quality Assurance, each with distinct objectives and methodologies:

• Preventive Quality Assurance: this type of QA focuses on preventing defects or errors. It involves implementing processes and procedures aimed at identifying and addressing potential issues before they impact the final product or service.
• Detective Quality Assurance: detective QA involves identifying and correcting defects after they have occurred, but before the final product reaches the customer.
• Corrective Quality Assurance: corrective QA focuses on addressing defects or non-conformities identified during or after the production process. Unlike preventive QA, which aims to avoid the occurrence of problems, corrective QA deals with the correction of issues that have already arisen.
• Assessment Quality Assurance: Assessment QA consists of evaluating and verifying the effectiveness of the overall Quality Assurance processes and systems. This type of QA aims to ensure that established quality management practices are robust, compliant with standards and regulations, and continuously improving.

Who is responsible for QA in a construction project?

The responsibility for QA can involve various figures, including the project manager, quality director, supervisors, and contractors, but it depends on the size and complexity of the project.

How are quality inspections carried out during construction?

Inspections can be scheduled at various stages of the project and may include checking materials, verifying construction practices, inspecting structural details, and reviewing documentation.

What documentation is necessary for QA in construction?

Documentation may include quality plans, inspection reports, material certifications, audit reports, and standard operating procedures (SOP).

What are the main issues that can affect quality in construction?

The main issues that can affect quality in construction are human errors, deficiencies in materials, lack of staff training, problems in communication and project management, and lack of compliance with safety regulations.

You might also be interested in usBIM.dataquality, the BIM quality management software