ABSTRACT
Quality is a universal phenomenon, which has been a matter of great concern throughout the recorded history of human kind. It was always the determination of builders and makers of the products to ensure that their products meet the customer’s desire. Those were the days where products were of “customized nature”. With the advent of globalization and competitive market, the emphasis on quality management has increased. Quality has become the most important single factor for the survival and success of the companies. Quality has different meanings for different people. The quality has historical importance background that has moved in different forms, periodical changes, cultural changes such as inspection, statistical quality control, quality assurance, quality engineering to total quality management. Quality in construction projects is different to that of manufacturing. Quality in construction projects is not only the quality of products and equipment used in the construction but also the total management approach to complete the facility as per the scope of works to customer/owner satisfaction within specified schedule and within the budget to meet owner’s defined purpose. This chapter discusses quality history, definition of quality, and movement of quality in different forms such as inspection, quality control, quality assurance, quality management, and total quality management. It also discusses contribution of quality gurus toward quality. Definition of quality in construction is also discussed in this chapter. A brief about quality management system, risk management, and supply chain management is also covered in this chapter.
