Cost of Quality in Construction Industry
Published: 2013
Author(s) Name: P. Indhira Devi, G. Chitra |
Author(s) Affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, Thiyagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai, India
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Abstract
In quality management, the use of cost as a measure of performance has been recognized and this is usually known as the Cost
of Quality (COQ) or Quality Cost. The usefulness and importance of knowing the Cost of Quality in manufacturing are well known. This
is not so in the construction industry. Since there are differences in the nature and characteristics of the processes and environments of the
two industries, it is difficult to assess whether similar quality cost concepts can be used in construction. One can only speculate that if the
manufacturing industries can get benefit from quantifying quality costs then there should also be benefit to construction. Theoretically, it seems
easy to apply the quality cost concept into the design and construction phases of a civil engineering project. In practice, it is quite complex and
can be difficult. This paper initially presents a methodology for assessing the ‘complete’ COQ for construction projects. It also presents COQ
model for determining optimum level of quality cost. Finally, techniques to reduce the COQ in construction industry are investigated.
Keywords: Quality Costs, Cost of Quality, COQ Models
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