Assess the implementation of Quality Management Systems by construction contractors in Uganda

Abstract

Contractors are obliged to demonstrate conformance to set quality requirement and standards. An increase in non-conformance to quality requirements as well as construction standards on construction projects has been noted. This has resulted into quality failure and its associated costs such as reworks and scrap costs which lead to increased contract sum. Quality failure costs such as reworks have been reported to have a magnitude between 2 and 25 percent of a project's original contract sum. Therefore, adoption of QMSs is necessary to ensure that adequate efforts are taken to attain the required level of quality that is well planned and organized. A sample size of 42 construction contractors was selected using random sampling from a population of 110 registered construction contractors under UNABCEC for a quantitative research aimed to assess the implementation of Quality management systems by construction contractors in Uganda. The purpose of the study was mainly to promote adoption and effective implementation of QMSs in order. to ensure quality as well as prevent quality failure and its associated costs. Key findings of the study reveal the main quality management system adopted and implemented by construction contractors in Uganda is ISO 9001 Standard QMS. They do not fully implement the quality management principles and elements whereas they mainly implement customer focus, continuous improvement, Involvement of people (quality management principles) and corrective and preventive action, design control and contract review (quality management elements) respectively. Construction contractors largely face the challenge of lack of planning to implement QMSs which hinders its successful implementation in the construction industry.