Managing Project Quality in Construction Projects

Running head: MANAGING PROJECT QUALITY 1
Managing Project Quality in Construction Projects
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Managing Project Quality in Construction Projects
Introduction/Abstract
The main project focus of this report will be Denver International Airport construction
and expansion project. The project is considered one of the most expensive public projects in
Denver where it was approximated to exceed a mark of 1 billion dollars with an unexpected
increase in cost and duration time for completion of the project (Burghouwt, 2016). This is the
same case where construction organizations in Australia have been one of the most struggling
firms with a series of significant challenges in the application of Total Quality Management
(TQM) and continuous improvement (CI). Normally, construction projects have continued to be
reluctant in the implementation of quality improvement approaches where it is described that the
application of the process doesn’t go beyond management level i.e. at least contractors of the
projects (Flyvbjerg, 2014).
The main objective of this report is to evaluate how to implement TQM and continuous
improvement in the construction industry in Australia, in the most efficient and effective, by
taking into consideration the correlation of project objectives, culture, and behavior with the
connection of the models. The paper will also focus on the identification of major barriers in the
construction industry that might hinder the implementation of TQM and Continuous
Improvement. Generally, the approach of the models application in the construction industry in
Australia will be to enhance interactive process between customers and managers. This will be
mainly achieved through strategizing approaches that will help reduce failures and improve the
quality of construction projects around the world. On the same note, Airport construction and
sustenance is one of increasing demand tasks from both the public and private sectors today

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(Jung, Jian Wang, & Wu, 2009). The quality of airport development has been described by most
economist to have a significant impact on the performance of airports in its various destinations.
Literature Review
Literature Review on Total Quality Management (TQM)
Over the past few decades, Total Quality Management (TQM) has continued to gain
significant importance in all level businesses in the world today. The dynamic aspect of TQM is
one of the basic features that has made it possible for the integration of the process in most of the
organizations. Majorly, TQM is an approach by the organization to enhance the quality and
productivity of various levels with an emphasis on improving the competitive advantages of the
business. With this, therefore, it is more effective implemented horizontally across the
organization with a basic aim of improving the quality of the products and services (Hoang, Igel,
& Laosirihongthong, 2010). In the application of TQM, there are various key factors which must
be considered as significantly important in implementation strategy. These include a plan of
action, leadership, training, constant improvement, eliminating barriers, eliminating quota’s,
adopting a philosophy, and pleasure of workmanship (Bal, Bryde, Fearon, & Ochieng, 2013).
With the above key factors, managers must highly consider the strategies approaches which will
effectively implement these key elements in order to have a successful implementation of TQM
strategy.
Apart from improving the internal and external quality of a business, TQM has been
described as a very effective tool for creating an organizational culture. The approach is
considered to strategically improve every stage of an organization by drawing the quality
importance of the strategy and the entire management processes. Basically, TQM has been

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considered as one of the best techniques for the adoption of quality cultures (Dahlgaard, Khanji,
& Kristensen, 2008). However, most of the challenges that are overseen in the implementation of
TQM include resistance to change, lack of resources, lack of objectives, lack of experience, and
short-term objectives. On the same note, TQM has also been described to ‘behave’ differently
due to the empirical value of the size of market and industry which are to be applied the strategy.
It is regarded as a bit complex when being implemented on small businesses while it has been
reported to have a very successful report on large companies (Jung et al., 2009).
In order for the TQM to be successful, employers have a significant role in strategizing
the workforce positive perspective. With the employee engagement, it is considered there is
more success since employees feel more motivated to see the actualization of the strategy (Bal et
al., 2013). Also, by focusing on employee engagement in TQM implementation, managers must
be able to cope more easily with the current dynamics changes in the business environment by
making employees are aware of development changes and trends in their respective fields.
Essentially, many philosophers have argued that TQM is a very vital tool in empowering
workers (Rawlins, 2008).
Literature Review on Continuous Improvement (CI)
Continuous improvement is considered one of the highly integrated tools in businesses
today that are used to achieve competitive advantages over competitors. Continuous
improvement is frequently interrelated with Japanese word known as ‘Kaizen’ which means
“Change for the Better” (Imai, 2012). In order to attain and maximize competitive advantages
and market share, organizations and companies must also be to apply Continuous Improvement
model in order to overcome the changes in production and market. Majorly, the tool has been
applied to create more business approaches, ideas, and innovation of new products improvement.