Quality management is an essential aspect of any industry, but it becomes even more critical in project-based industries such as construction, shipbuilding, and fabrication of oil and gas installations. These industries have peculiarities that make quality management challenging, including one-of-a-kind projects, site production, temporary multi-organization, and regulatory intervention. The lack of repetition, site production, temporary organization, and regulatory intervention make it difficult to apply traditional quality management approaches.
Traditional contracting methods based on self-optimization often result in an adversarial culture, leading to inefficiencies and loss for all parties involved. This results in a focus on conforming to established contract requirements rather than continuous improvement. Quality management in project-based industries should focus on managing the contract prudently and exploring better ways of managing quality beyond conformance to contract requirements.
One of the main challenges faced by project-based industries is the adversarial culture between contractors and customers, which can make quality management difficult, leading to cumbersome and laborious processes. To address this issue, a risk-based approach may be a better way to balance legal compliance and brand trust. Top management commitment towards quality is essential for effective quality management in project-based industries.
The contracting regime needs to be improved, with a focus on functional tests instead of over-specifying contracts. Additionally, a relational contracting approach such as partnering can lead to real improvements. Quality 4.0 technologies can also play a crucial role in improving quality management in project-based industries.
Quality 4.0 is the application of digital technologies to quality management. In project-based industries, it can help improve data gathering, analysis, and management. Digital data gathering through RFID chips, barcodes, QR codes, and other automated means can eliminate manual data gathering and improve data integrity and completeness. Real-time logging of data can enhance learning and improve quality management. Predictive quality management can become a reality once the issues above are solved.
The paper suggests that the adoption of Quality 4.0 technologies can foster trust and collaboration between customers, contractors, and suppliers. The impact of this approach on project-based industries is hard to estimate, but it holds great promise for transforming these industries. The use of Quality 4.0 technologies in project-based industries to improve quality management is a promising area for research and development.
In conclusion, project-based industries face unique challenges in quality management, but the adoption of Quality 4.0 technologies can help overcome these challenges. Top management commitment towards quality and a focus on managing the contract prudently are also critical for effective quality management. The adoption of a risk-based approach and a relational contracting approach such as partnering can lead to real improvements. Quality 4.0 technologies offer great promise for transforming project-based industries and improving quality management.
Authors
Emblemsvåg, J. (2020). On Quality 4.0 in project-based industries. The TQM Journal, 32(4), 725-739. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-12-2019-0295