Framework development of quality control for construction site inspection / Nur Nabihah Abd Razak

The quality of the Malaysian construction projects is still the main problem. The relationship between the quality and the construction projects has been directed on the implementation of quality control techniques during construction. Several quality control techniques were developed with the implementation during site inspection in mind. Hence, the aim from this study was to develop the applicable framework for quality control implementation during site inspection. In order to do so, four objectives have been expressed such as identifying the current practices of quality control in Malaysia construction projects, the barriers for implementation of quality control techniques, the strategies for better implementation of quality control techniques and development of model for quality control during site inspection. In this study, a mixed method was used for data collection namely interview section and questionnaire distribution. Interview section was carried out to obtain the information regarding the current practices of quality control in Malaysia construction projects. The total set of 100 questionnaires was distributed by hand and email and it was returned with 82 useable set of questionnaire. Later, the result was analysed using content analysis (interview section), frequency analysis, mean ranking, relative importance index (RII), factor analysis and lastly Partial Least Square (PLS) for model development. The results indicated the current practices such as Inspection Test Plan (ITP), Project Quality Plan (PQP), ISO 9000, IBS and QLASSIC was implemented for quality control in Malaysian construction projects. The barriers for implementation of quality control techniques such as ITP, PQP and Checklist were investigated and outlined. The attitudes of personnel involved in construction projects, the documentation and the construction operations make the main barriers for quality control techniques implementation. Automated system was introduced as the strategies for the quality control techniques. Therefore, the strategies required to introduce this system into Malaysian construction projects are the development of suitable automated system, giving training to workers, an initiative from government and encouragement from the top management. As for the model of quality control, there was a significant relationship between the quality control techniques with the barriers. In addition, the respondents' position in construction projects which act as a moderator indicated the effect of barriers factor on the implementation of ITP, PQP and Checklist. The result also showed the same with respondents' years of experience in construction projects as a moderator. It is hoped that this study would give reference for more improvement in quality control especially during site inspection, the exposure regarding automated system that require commitment and encouragement from all personnel involved, which is needed to provide better quality control for construction projects that fulfil customers' satisfaction as well as to enter international market.