Understanding the Key Quality Factors in Construction Projects—A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Project management frameworks describe the preferred approaches to project quality management, as well as applicable methods and tools. Despite this, quality problems in the construction project are still widespread. This study aimed to identify crucial quality-related factors in construction project management and find relations between them, to help researchers and project managers better respond to quality issues. A systematic literature review (SLR) was used to identify previous studies on quality-related factors. Literature review and further quantitative analysis revealed that quality-related factors are related to three categories: Quality of project process, quality of organisational processes, and quality of results (products), which together create the quality of the whole construction project. The results highlight quality-related factors (14 related to the quality of processes, 6 to quality of an organisation, and 13 to quality of products) that should be taken into account in further research, as well as planning and executing construction projects. Their inclusion at the planning stage should help project managers, sponsors, and steering committees avoid or minimise quality-related problems. Moreover, this study sheds an interesting light on quality. We found that the quality of processes and quality of an organisation has precedence over the final product quality. Based on the results of the study, structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to create a null model that will be the starting point for further research in the construction enterprises.

Quality issues related to the design and construction stage of a project in the Indian construction industry

“…The qualitative analysis identified ten quality issues related to the D&C stages of the project life cycle, which were then assessed using a quantitative survey to determine how architects perceived the issues. The unrealistic expectations of the client (Egemen and Mohamed, 2006; Michell et al , 2007; Lau and Rowlinson, 2009), cost-saving approach (Watt, 1999), late introduction of contractor and consultants (Michell et al , 2007; Baiden and Price, 2011; Kwakye, 2013; Mane and Patil, 2015; Chandra, 2016; Alaloul et al , 2016; Zaneldin, 2016), lack of communication (Baiden and Price, 2011; Mane and Patil, 2015; Zaneldin, 2016; Hasan et al , 2016; Wawak et al , 2020), wrong/hasty decisions (Watt, 1999) and hiring of the contractor on the lowest bid (Karim et al , 2006; Michell et al , 2007) are highly related to the quality of the project during the design stage. Majority of architects perceived that the quality concern is mostly related to the construction stage of a project and is subjected to issues like controlling the administration of the project formally through a checklist (Zaneldin, 2016), hiring of the contractor on the lowest bid, noncompliance with quality management plans (Pheng and Yeo, 1998; Abdelsalam and Gad, 2009; Hassen Al-baidmy et al , 2012; Mane and Patil, 2015; Alaloul et al , 2016; Zaneldin, 2016; Hasan et al , 2016; Wawak et al , 2020; Khan, 2021), omission of tasks (Forcada et al , 2012; Zaneldin, 2016), project management schedules (Mane and Patil, 2015; Alaloul et al , 2016; Wawak et al , 2020), and late introduction of the contractor and consultants.…”

“…Planning and supervision, experience, quality of products supplied, management and communication, formal controlling methods, specific roles and responsibilities, and a quality department for overall management are the most frequently preferred factors to control quality (Wawak et al , 2020). Pheng and Yeo (1998) modified the definition earlier given by Quinn for the quality costs insisting that it consists of three components: preventive costs (to minimize, remove and avoid defects), evaluation costs and failure costs (to detect errors and evaluate the quality of the work done).…”

Exploring Current and Future Research Trends on Safety Climate in Construction Projects

“…It gives a deeper and more precise level of learning than typical literature research (Pati & Lorusso, 2018). SLR is a precise and repeatable approach for identifying, assessing, and interpreting specific academic domains (Wawak et al, 2020). Observing the articles published in the building industry's literature reviews, the majority of the reviews published since 2010 were based on SLR (Babalola et al, 2019;Jamil et al, 2018).…”

Exploring the Relationship between Communication and Success of Construction Projects: The Mediating Role of Conflict

“…The construction industry plays a vital role in the development of the country. It has the potential to boost the economy of the country and creates employment opportunities as well [1]. It uses laborers and skilled professionals to deliver a project within the specified time and within the budget allocated to satisfy the client or customer [2].…”