Quality Assurance and Control in Construction
Expert-defined terms from the Postgraduate Certificate in Quality Management in Construction course at London School of Planning and Management. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
AASHTO #
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, is a standard setting organization that publishes specifications, test methods, and guidelines for construction materials, including cement, concrete, and asphalt, which are crucial in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include ASTM and ACI. AASHTO specifications are widely used in the construction industry, particularly in the design and construction of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects.
ACI #
American Concrete Institute, is a professional organization that publishes guidelines, specifications, and standards for concrete construction, including mix design, testing, and inspection, which are essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include AASHTO and ASTM. ACI standards are widely used in the construction industry, particularly in the design and construction of concrete structures, such as buildings, bridges, and foundations.
Acceptance Criteria #
refers to the standards or requirements that a construction project or product must meet in order to be accepted by the client or regulatory authorities, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Quality Control and Quality Assurance. Acceptance criteria are typically specified in the contract documents and may include factors such as material properties, dimensional tolerances, and performance requirements.
ACI Certification #
is a certification program offered by the American Concrete Institute that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in concrete construction, including mix design, testing, and inspection, which is important in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. ACI certification is widely recognized in the construction industry and is often required for concrete testing and inspection personnel.
As #
Built Drawings - refers to the final set of drawings that reflect the actual construction of a project, including any changes or modifications made during construction, which is an essential aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Construction Documents and Record Drawings. As-built drawings are used to document the final construction of a project and are often used for future maintenance and repair work.
ASTM #
American Society for Testing and Materials, is a standard setting organization that publishes specifications, test methods, and guidelines for construction materials, including cement, concrete, and asphalt, which are crucial in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include AASHTO and ACI. ASTM standards are widely used in the construction industry, particularly in the design and construction of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects.
Audit #
refers to a systematic examination of a construction project or process to evaluate its compliance with quality control procedures and standards, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Audits are typically conducted by independent third-party auditors and may include reviews of documentation, inspections of construction sites, and interviews with personnel.
Benchmarking #
refers to the process of comparing the performance of a construction project or process with that of similar projects or processes, in order to identify areas for improvement and best practices, which is an essential aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Benchmarking is widely used in the construction industry to improve quality, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.
BIM #
Building Information Modeling, is a digital representation of a construction project that includes geometric and non-geometric information, such as spatial relationships, quantities, and properties of building components, which is important in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include CAD and GIS. BIM is widely used in the construction industry to improve design, construction, and operation of buildings and infrastructure projects.
Certification #
refers to the process of verifying that a construction product or process meets specified standards or requirements, such as quality, safety, or environmental standards, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Accreditation and Compliance. Certification is widely used in the construction industry to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements and to enhance customer confidence.
Code of Practice #
refers to a document that outlines the procedures and guidelines for a specific construction activity or process, such as quality control or environmental management, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Standard and Specification. Codes of practice are widely used in the construction industry to provide guidance on best practices and to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Commissioning #
refers to the process of verifying that a construction project or system meets specified performance requirements and is safe for occupancy or operation, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Testing and Balancing. Commissioning is widely used in the construction industry to ensure that buildings and infrastructure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
Compliance #
refers to the state of conforming to specified standards, regulations, or requirements, such as quality, safety, or environmental standards, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Certification and Accreditation. Compliance is widely used in the construction industry to demonstrate adherence to regulatory requirements and to minimize the risk of non-compliance.
Construction Documents #
refers to the set of documents that outline the requirements for a construction project, including drawings, specifications, and contracts, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include As-Built Drawings and Record Drawings. Construction documents are used to communicate the requirements of a construction project to contractors, subcontractors, and other stakeholders.
Contract Administration #
refers to the process of managing and administering construction contracts, including contract negotiation, contract award, and contract close-out, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Contract Management and Project Management. Contract administration is widely used in the construction industry to ensure that contracts are properly managed and that the rights and obligations of all parties are protected.
Contract Management #
refers to the process of planning, organizing, and controlling construction contracts, including contract negotiation, contract award, and contract close-out, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Contract Administration and Project Management. Contract management is widely used in the construction industry to ensure that contracts are properly managed and that the rights and obligations of all parties are protected.
Control #
refers to the process of regulating or directing a construction process or activity to ensure that it meets specified standards or requirements, such as quality, safety, or environmental standards, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Control is widely used in the construction industry to ensure that construction processes and activities are properly managed and that the required standards are met.
Corrective Action #
refers to the action taken to correct a defect or nonconformity in a construction project or process, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Preventive Action and Quality Control. Corrective action is widely used in the construction industry to prevent the recurrence of defects or nonconformities and to ensure that construction projects meet the required quality standards.
Defect #
refers to a nonconformity or imperfection in a construction project or process that does not meet specified standards or requirements, such as quality, safety, or environmental standards, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Nonconformity and Corrective Action. Defects are widely used in the construction industry to identify and correct nonconformities and to ensure that construction projects meet the required quality standards.
Design Review #
refers to the process of examining and evaluating the design of a construction project to ensure that it meets specified standards or requirements, such as quality, safety, or environmental standards, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Design review is widely used in the construction industry to ensure that construction projects are properly designed and that the required standards are met.
Due Diligence #
refers to the process of conducting a thorough examination and evaluation of a construction project or process to identify potential risks or nonconformities, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Risk Assessment and Quality Control. Due diligence is widely used in the construction industry to identify and mitigate potential risks and to ensure that construction projects meet the required quality standards.
Environmental Management #
refers to the process of planning, organizing, and controlling the environmental aspects of a construction project or process, including waste management, pollution prevention, and conservation of natural resources, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Sustainability and Quality Control. Environmental management is widely used in the construction industry to minimize the environmental impact of construction projects and to ensure that the required environmental standards are met.
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis #
refers to a methodology used to identify and evaluate potential failures in a construction project or process, including the causes and effects of failures, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Failure mode and effects analysis is widely used in the construction industry to identify and mitigate potential failures and to ensure that construction projects meet the required quality standards.
GIS #
Geographic Information System, is a computer-based tool used to capture, store, analyze, and display geographically referenced data, which is important in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include CAD and BIM. GIS is widely used in the construction industry to improve design, construction, and operation of buildings and infrastructure projects.
Inspection #
refers to the process of examining and evaluating a construction project or process to ensure that it meets specified standards or requirements, such as quality, safety, or environmental standards, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Testing and Quality Control. Inspection is widely used in the construction industry to ensure that construction projects meet the required quality standards and to identify and correct nonconformities.
ISO 9001 #
is a standard for quality management systems that provides a framework for organizations to demonstrate their ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Quality Management System and Certification. ISO 9001 is widely used in the construction industry to demonstrate compliance with quality management standards and to enhance customer confidence.
Lean Construction #
refers to a philosophy that aims to minimize waste and maximize value in construction projects, including waste reduction, process improvement, and supply chain management, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Lean construction is widely used in the construction industry to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Nonconformity #
refers to a defect or imperfection in a construction project or process that does not meet specified standards or requirements, such as quality, safety, or environmental standards, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Defect and Corrective Action. Nonconformities are widely used in the construction industry to identify and correct defects and to ensure that construction projects meet the required quality standards.
OSHA #
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is a regulatory agency that sets and enforces standards for workplace safety and health, including construction sites, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Safety Management and Quality Control. OSHA standards are widely used in the construction industry to ensure that construction sites are safe and healthy for workers.
Preventive Action #
refers to the action taken to prevent a defect or nonconformity in a construction project or process, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Corrective Action and Quality Control. Preventive action is widely used in the construction industry to prevent the occurrence of defects or nonconformities and to ensure that construction projects meet the required quality standards.
Quality Assurance #
refers to the process of planning, organizing, and controlling the quality of a construction project or process, including quality control, quality management, and quality improvement, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Quality Control and Quality Management System. Quality assurance is widely used in the construction industry to ensure that construction projects meet the required quality standards and to enhance customer satisfaction.
Quality Control #
refers to the process of regulating or directing a construction process or activity to ensure that it meets specified standards or requirements, such as quality, safety, or environmental standards, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Quality Assurance and Quality Management System. Quality control is widely used in the construction industry to ensure that construction processes and activities are properly managed and that the required standards are met.
Quality Management System #
refers to a framework that outlines the policies, procedures, and standards for managing the quality of a construction project or process, including quality control, quality assurance, and quality improvement, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Quality Assurance and Quality Control. Quality management systems are widely used in the construction industry to demonstrate compliance with quality management standards and to enhance customer confidence.
Record Drawings #
refers to the final set of drawings that reflect the actual construction of a project, including any changes or modifications made during construction, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include As-Built Drawings and Construction Documents. Record drawings are used to document the final construction of a project and are often used for future maintenance and repair work.
Risk Assessment #
refers to the process of identifying and evaluating potential risks or nonconformities in a construction project or process, including the likelihood and impact of risks, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Due Diligence and Quality Control. Risk assessment is widely used in the construction industry to identify and mitigate potential risks and to ensure that construction projects meet the required quality standards.
Safety Management #
refers to the process of planning, organizing, and controlling the safety aspects of a construction project or process, including hazard identification, risk assessment, and safety training, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include OSHA and Quality Control. Safety management is widely used in the construction industry to ensure that construction sites are safe and healthy for workers.
Specification #
refers to a document that outlines the requirements for a construction project or process, including materials, equipment, and workmanship, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Standard and Code of Practice. Specifications are widely used in the construction industry to communicate the requirements of a construction project to contractors, subcontractors, and other stakeholders.
Standard #
refers to a document that outlines the requirements for a construction project or process, including materials, equipment, and workmanship, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Specification and Code of Practice. Standards are widely used in the construction industry to provide a common language and set of expectations for construction projects and processes.
Sustainability #
refers to the ability of a construction project or process to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, including environmental, social, and economic considerations, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Environmental Management and Quality Control. Sustainability is widely used in the construction industry to minimize the environmental impact of construction projects and to ensure that the required environmental standards are met.
Testing #
refers to the process of evaluating the performance or properties of a construction material or product, including laboratory testing and field testing, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Related terms include Inspection and Quality Control. Testing is widely used in the construction industry to ensure that construction materials and products meet the required quality standards and to identify and correct nonconformities.
Total Quality Management #
refers to a philosophy that aims to integrate quality into all aspects of a construction project or process, including design, construction, and operation, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Total quality management is widely used in the construction industry to improve quality, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Value Engineering #
refers to a methodology used to analyze and improve the value of a construction project or process, including cost reduction, process improvement, and performance enhancement, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Value engineering is widely used in the construction industry to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Warranty #
refers to a guarantee or assurance that a construction product or process meets specified standards or requirements, including quality, safety, or environmental standards, which is a critical aspect of Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Warranties are widely used in the construction industry to provide assurance to customers that construction products or processes meet the required quality standards.
Workmanship #
refers to the quality of work performed by a contractor or subcontractor, including the skill, care, and attention to detail, which is essential in Quality Assurance and Control in Construction. Workmanship is widely used in the construction industry to evaluate the quality of work performed by contractors and subcontractors and to ensure that construction projects meet the required quality standards.