Total Quality Management In Construction Projects: Role Of Clients Project Managers

Abstract

The decision to implement Total Quality Management(TQM) in the construction industry should involve both the Client and Contractor. It is a complex and interactive process requires all participants to work jointly with a common objective. The participants should ensure that they are ready to change their traditional management culture and invest the required time, cost and skills for successful implementation. Primary, the Client should assess these requirement before embracing this concept. TQM is construction often starts with Client's commitment, and it is than extended to all participants of the process by requiring them to adopt the philosophy. This requires that Client to plan, organise and co-ordinate the process in a 23 "win-win" solution. The Client's Project Managers are often responsible for initiation and conduct an effective quality programme on behalf of the Client. After highlighting some important characteristtcs of TQM, this paper highlights twelve important responsibilities of the Client's Project Managers, and suggests best practices to be adopted by the Client's Project Managers when implementing TQM. These responsibilities are considered essential for the succesful implementation of TQM and include preparing and organising developing project definition; procurement; organising a joint co-ordinaltion team; design management; safety management; measuring and reviewing performance; communication; motivation; co-ordination; documentation and project postmorterm.