Integration of Total Quality Management with a project management approach for capital projects

Models have been developed to implement Total Quality Management (TQM) in the internal operations of companies in the engineering and construction (E&C) industry. These models have helped companies achieve improvements in their internal operations. E&C companies would like to achieve the same benefits in their capital projects they have achieved using TQM in their internal operations. However, these models are not directly applicable to capital projects.; This study developed and validated a model to integrate the principles and concepts of TQM with a project management approach for planning and executing capital projects in the industrial construction industry. The proposed implementation model was based on the premise of integrating TQM with a project-management approach that identifies specific phases in the sequential development of capital projects. The model prescribes a four-step deployment plan where each step parallels a project development phase. The study was conducted in two phases.; In Phase 1, the project TQM implementation model from an owner's perspective was developed. The major steps involved were a literature review of project management approaches, TQM theories and the fundamentals of TQM, and existing E&C TQM models. A case study involving the application of TQM on a major construction project was also undertaken in Phase 1.; In Phase 2, the project TQM implementation model was validated. This was accomplished using the Policy Delphi method. Three rounds of questionnaires were sent to a panel composed of E&C industry professionals representing owners, contractors, design/engineers, and management consultants. The responses from the panel indicated the proposed model was valid, with some minor revisions. Key findings include (1) TQM should begin early in project development; (2) forty-seven activities were identified as essential for implementing the study model; (3) the activities are grouped into four steps and each step should be performed in sequence beginning in the project's concept/feasibility development phase; and (4) the majority of the activities to implement the TQM model are commenced during the preliminary engineering phase. The adoption of this model to formulate a project TQM implementation approach can lead to the continuous improvement of critical project processes, more cost-effective projects, and increasingly satisfied project participants.