Part 5 Flashcards
What are the three main competing factors in a project?
The three main competing factors in a project are cost, time, and quality. Successful project management involves balancing these factors.
What is the dictionary definition of quality?
The Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines quality as:
1) The standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind.
2) General excellence.
How do Crosby and Knowles define quality?
Crosby defines quality as “conformance to requirements that must be clearly stated and measurable.”
Knowles defines it as “A requirement to provide assurance that design and production have the capability to produce an effective and economic product.”
According to Deming and Juran, what does quality depend on?
Deming asserted quality depends on the customer’s definition and is a relative term subject to change based on the customer’s needs.
Juran defined quality as “fit for purpose.”
What is important when specifying quality standards?
When specifying quality, it’s important to set the minimum acceptable standard - not higher than relevant especially if it increases cost. The agreed standard should not be negotiable once set.
What is quality management?
Quality management is an organisation-wide approach to precisely understanding customer needs and consistently delivering accurate, on-time, on-budget solutions with minimum loss to society.
What are the four main models/stages of quality management systems?
The four main models are:
1) Inspection - physically checking completed work
2) Quality control - using management control techniques
3) Quality assurance - using externally accredited procedures
4) Total Quality Management - continuous improvement to achieve ever higher conformance
How does quality management differ between construction and manufacturing?
Key differences include:
Construction projects are one-off with less repetition and learning
Clients are known in construction and can provide input
Construction has lower automation and relies more on skilled labour
Construction has a mobile workforce moving between projects
Defective construction work is hard to replace and rectify
What is a quality management system (QMS)?
A QMS is a set of coordinated activities to direct and control an organisation to continually improve its performance effectiveness and efficiency.
What are the five main areas of a client’s quality requirements?
The five main areas are:
- Function - does the building meet requirements?
- Life - is it durable?
- Economy - does it provide value?
- Aesthetics - is it pleasing and compatible with surroundings?
- Depreciation - is it an investment?
What is value engineering/analysis based on?
Value engineering (VE) and value analysis (VA) are based on the concepts of value and functional approach. VA identifies and eliminates unnecessary product costs.
What is the key equation defining value?
Value = Function / Cost.
Value engineering aims to improve value by enhancing function and/or reducing cost.
Who is involved in the VE/VA multidisciplinary team?
The VE/VA team involves the client, design team, value team, costing team, project manager, cost manager, consultants, contractor, QS, estimators, etc. working together.
What are the main stages of the VE/VA job plan?
The main VE/VA stages are:
- Information - understand costs, functions, value
- Speculation - brainstorm what else can perform the function
- Analysis - evaluate ideas, investigate alternatives, review
- Proposal - gain client input, revise and finalise proposals
What are some potential shortfalls of value engineering?
Potential VE shortfalls include lack of performance measures, hesitant attitudes towards the concept, client reluctance to try new ideas, and unwillingness to take risks on innovations.
