Quality and progress as defined by Rohana Dasanayake are not opposites. Construction projects require absolute quality. Progress, defined as becoming nearer to the end of the project, only fails to happen when contractors fail to abide by the required quality standards. Finishing a project that does not meet quality standards only results in a project that either needs to be redone because it is unsafe to use, or fails prematurely because its components wear out prior to design time periods.
As civil engineers, we have a strict level of responsibility to ensure that the design standards that we need to implement in order to assure the expected results are adhered to in the construction phase. We cannot ever allow a contractor to substitute materials that do not meet specifications in order to complete construction faster. Civil engineers that are observing construction, and suspect inferior material being used actually have an ethical responsibility to get the materials replaced, and in most jurisdictions can be held legally responsible for the failure to properly construct the project.
If we have an ethical contractor, and they have a reliable supply chain, then we should never need to substitute specified quality for speed of construction. The contractor should have the quality materials that they need to meet specifications when they need them. We prequalify contractors when we can to determine if they are ethical. The supply chain is out of our control, but we can use the prequalification process to weed out those contractors that continually come in late because of poor supply chain.
------------------------------
Dwayne Culp, Ph.D., Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE
Culp Engineering, LLC
Rosenberg TX
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 08-12-2019 13:54
From: Rohana Dasanayake
Subject: Quality Vs Progress
Hello Mark,
Thanks for sharing your opinion and it is a pleasure to hear.
Actually what our practical experience in most of projects, reality is bit progress reduction was there when implementing strict quality controls. Maybe you are correct, but I feel it depends on country or region. However, the example you give that is 100% agreed, production can be increased with enhanced quality in an automated process. But construction field gives a bit slower progress with implementing quality process. It does't mean quality is not required.
------------------------------
Rohana Dasanayake M.ASCE
Assistant Construction Manager
Padukka
940715331700
Original Message:
Sent: 08-12-2019 13:26
From: Mark Gilligan
Subject: Quality Vs Progress
If you want to understand quality it is suggested that you study Toyota's Production System, the works of Deming, and in the context of civil engineering Lean Construction.
If done right there is no conflict between quality and speed of construction. In fact it is understood that in order to maximize production you need to be very concerned about quality. If you are producing a quality product regularly then production increases.
------------------------------
Mark Gilligan SE
Berkeley CA
Original Message:
Sent: 08-10-2019 02:44
From: Rohana Dasanayake
Subject: Quality Vs Progress
Quality is an important factor to have end products as specified. But when following quality standards, time consumption is more important. If quality inspections are less strict, then progress will be increased. However, these deviations should not go beyond the limitations. I feel progress is inversely impacted by quality. But quality also must be implemented. Therefore, optimization is only achievable with both progress and quality.
Please share your experience with this topic.
------------------------------
Rohana Dasanayake M.ASCE
Assistant Construction Manager
Padukka
940715331700
------------------------------