Resumen de Survey research on quality costs and problems in the construction environment
Amirhosein Jafari, Suhansa Rodchuab
Many construction firms have attempted to develop methods for effective cost cutting and improving the quality of their end-products and services. This study investigates the internal and external factors contributing to the successful implementation of quality costs construction programmes and the problems experienced by professionals in their work in Iran. A survey questionnaire was developed based on a comprehensive review of the literature and expert panel discussions. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 77 respondents in 60 construction sites. The study used the Relative Important Index to rank the priority factors that impacted the implementation of construction quality costs programmes. The results show that the important factors aiding the success of quality cost programmes in construction projects are management, workforce, environment, and external and organisational system factors. Among the problems construction professionals experienced in implementing quality cost programmes, the more evident ones were lack of upper management support; inadequate instruction and equipment; and new health and safety laws and regulations. Further study is recommended to explore the specific nature of these factors and to come up with methods for controlling the internal factors.
