Florida Construction Success: Why Quality Control Plans are Essential

Construction project managers utilize quality control plans to enforce quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) standards throughout the project. By endorsing specific steps as they are completed, these plans ensure adherence to quality standards, impacting material procurement, subcontractor work, site walks, and detailed inspections. Construction Quality Control Plans (QCPs) delineate the processes by which team members execute tasks to ensure the final product meets specifications. General contractors often adopt a company-wide quality control plan as a template to design project-specific quality control plans for individual projects, taking into account job site characteristics, project-specific quality measures, and the construction team’s expertise. This comprehensive approach aids in delivering completed projects on time, within budget, and with minimal rework or remediation needs.

Developing a Construction Quality Control Plan: A company-wide QC plan is usually overseen by a designated officer like the Chief Operating Officer (COO). However, project-specific quality control plans are dynamic systems implemented during preconstruction and construction to ensure all build elements meet project expectations.

Early Collaboration: The QC plan can be developed concurrently with other documents during the bidding and preconstruction stages. Elements such as materials and workmanship standards specified in the Request for Information (RFI) influence cost estimates and are integral to a project-specific plan from the outset. Early engagement of the cross-functional project team ensures the alignment of all stakeholders with the final product, enabling trade partners to comprehend quality expectations. This collaborative approach allows diverse expertise to shape the plan, ensuring team-wide buy-in during plan implementation in construction.

Defining the QCP Team: Owners, architects, and designers establish project quality expectations in plans, specifications, and scopes of work. The quality control plan delineates each team member’s responsibilities and is typically developed by the project manager for the general contractor or the quality control manager in larger construction firms. Input from stakeholders during early plan development ensures multiple perspectives are incorporated for seamless implementation. The General Contractor’s COO and project owners may review and approve the plan before construction commences.