ABSTRACT
Quality management is a major management function within the construction industry. The role of quality management for a contractor is not an isolated activity, but intertwined with all the operational and managerial processes of that company, effectively this is where the term “total quality management” came from. Quality control introduces inspection and testing to the work being carried out in ensuring that it is undertaken to specified requirements. Quality assurance is the process of ensuring that standards are consistently met thereby preventing defects from occurring in the first place. The drawings should detail all the work to be carried out by the Contractor and be complementary to the description of the Works and the specification. Testing is a key requirement within a Contract and is usually defined through the specification and often also through applicable law and standards. Performance testing is usually applicable where the design of Plant and Materials is the responsibility of the Contractor.
