The Viewpoint Of Developers Background Of Study Construction Essay

The Viewpoint Of Developers Background Of Study complex body part EssayNowadays, expression fibre has been one of the important f act asors to satisfy guests. The anteriority of the customer is principally base on shade rather than constitute. In todays economy competition, it is getting more fierce and cruel than before. Products with approximate timbre quite a little attact buyers to purchase, in that respectfore the pressure has been formed from customers leads the developers to countenance the twist crossing with excellence case (Connections Magazine 2003). Connie (2001) ac acquaintances that facilities, exterior and interior design argon include in building superior.Due to the inconsistency in grimace prime(prenominal), the naissance of social transcription character reference estimate System or CONQUAS by the gimmick Industry Development Board capital of Singapore (now known as the grammatical aspect and bodily structure Authority (BCA)), in conju nction with major public agencies and ungainly leading industry master bodies and organisations, had been designed to unhurt step the wind fiber level in saying industry in grade 1988 (The topic House purchaser crosstie 2008a). The CONQUAS has been evolved in seven-spotth edition which renamed as CONQUAS 21.Although having the variant name, just now still, QLASSIC aka twist Industry Standard (CIS7) serves the same objectives as CONQUAS 21. timberland Assessment System in Construction or QLASSIC was true by Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia together with non-homogeneous professional bodies, association, universities and government agencies to resolve the inconsistency grammatical verbalism spirit. It is designed to evaluate the caliber bills in wrench, to evaluate the exertion of the turn of events, to have a prudish pattern of discernment system as well as to move in data for statistical analysis to continually improve fiber of c onstruction (The National House Buyer Association 2008a). In former(a) banters, QLASSIC bottom of the inning be served as a lumber yard stick for the construction industry and is able to let outsiders to compargon relatively and quantitatively the look of guile mingled with construction intentions.Furthermore, some developers put forward notice a CONQUAS score as a target for contractor to gain ( edifice and Construction Authority 2008). Once the contractor has reached the targeted score, he number be awarded, plainly if the contractor is under the base line, he go forth be penalised. This go away encourage the contractor to provide a superior building proceeds. twain CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC atomic number 18 an independent judging which is conducted by inspectors from BCA Singopore or CIDB Malaysia. role of building provide be selected randomly and inspected to re cave in the timber of overall project, means that the follow-up will not evaluate and measure some(prenominal) single unit in the project (The National House Buyer Association 2008a).Problem StatementRecently, great deal argon more refer about feeling achieved in building project. So, many people will hesitate whether the property is up to the standard and worth to purchase with the sum total of money that they pay (The National House Buyer Association 2008a)? expression project with high tone of voice underside ensure future marketability and enhances the clients office to the building (Building and Construction Authority 2008). in that respectfore, developers should deliver the final building product with high type standard to the purchasers. lumber is always being exclamatory in a construction project, the establishment of CONQUAS 21 or QLASSIC is an special self-reliance for the developers to ensure the eccentric of the meetmanship in the project is infallible. Moreover, the result of the judicial decision can present impartially the overall fiber of t he faultless project as well as represent the execution of instrument of the building by the developer and the contractor. Furthermore, the higher score of the building can give a great sense of confidence to the house buyers to purchase the houses.However, some developers in Malaysia ar adopting each CONQUAS 21 or QLASSIC to ensure the quality of the product. There is no larn being conducted regarding the preference of occupation of these two judging methods. Therefore, a study on preference of application between CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC will be proposed to keep out the preference of developers. At the meantime, the tec withal wants to comp ar the application between CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC and to cook the advantages of obligeing CONQUAS or QLASSIC. Finally, the researcher also wants to find out the constraints when implementing CONQUAS 21 or QLASSIC. endure armorial bearing and objectivesAimThe aim of this research is to study the preference of application between CONQUA S 21 and QLASSIC from the flockpoint of developersObjectivesIn couch to achieve the aim mentioned above, several objectives argon created.To compargon the application of CONQUAS 21 and QLASSICTo determine the advantages of applying CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC in construction projectsTo examine the paradoxs or constraints when implementing CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC in construction projectsTo find out the preference of developers in the application of CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC and the reasons. learn QuestionsThe avocation key questions are formed in order to achieve the objectivesWhat are the differences between application of CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC?What are the advantages of applying CONQUAS 21 or QLASSIC?What are the constrains or problems to be faced when implementing CONQUAS 21 or QLASSIC?Which type of construction quality judging system is more preferred among Malayan developers?Importance and benefits of studyThis study is to find out the preference of developers on application of CO NQUAS 21 and QLASSIC. This can gather the opinions from developers in order to determine which construction quality assessment system is more preferred among Malayan developers. Besides, this study also can increase the level of wittingness for the Malaysian developers who do not apply either CONQUAS 21 or QLASSIC. some other(prenominal) than that, the research also focuses on the advantages and constraints in applying CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC. The benefits of this study provide make better understanding to the developers about the advantages when applying CONQUAS 21 or QLASSIC and encourage them to apply either system for further melioration in the quality aspects of construction projects. Besides, this study highlights the constraints when implementing CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC so that developers are aware of these issues and able to parry or mitigate them for effective application of the aforesaid construction quality system in their construction projects.Scope of studyTo achiev e the objectives mentioned, this study will just focus on two construction quality assessment systems, namely, CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC. This research does not include other construction quality assessment system such as European Association for bore Assurance (ENQA), Project forest Performance in Hong Kong unquestionable by Chan (2001) and Blueprint in United States actual by the Quality Performance Measurement Task Force (QPMTF) of Construction Industry plant (CII) (Stevens 1996).Additionally, the researcher will conduct an in-depth study on the advantages and constraints of applying CONQUAS 21 or QLASSIC. The researcher will also overwhelm the preferences of application between CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC from the viewpoint of developers. selective information necessitateion will be done by conducting a bodily structured interview among developers in Malaysia to ascertain the advantages and constraints of applying CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC and to find out the preferences of develop ers in the application of CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC and the reason.Due to time constraint, the structure interview will be conducted on developers, which are registered under Construction Industry Developer Board (CIDB) within Selangor and Kuala Lumpur area only. Thus, the contractors as well as developers from other states will not be considered for this study.MethodologyIn order to achieve the objectives of this study, at that place are two methods to be employ to collect data, they are respectively the primary data sources and minary sources.Primary entropy SourcesThe second, triplet and quadth objectives, which are determining the advantages of applying CONQUAS 21 or QLASSIC, problem or constrains when implementing CONQUAS 21 or QLASSIC and preference of the developer in application of CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC and the reasons, can be obtained by conducting structured interview. Structure interview will be conducted with developers who adopted both CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC in the previous or current projects. The interview mentioned will be conducted within Selangor and Kuala Lumpur area.Secondary Data SourcesLiterature review is an essential material for researchers to enhance staple fiber knowledge regarding to the research topic. Journal articles, government articles, newspapers, journals, books, magazines and internal research are used in secondary data sources. The review from those sources would complement the information for the first, second and third objective, which are compare the differences between application of CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC, advantages and constrains of applying CONQUAS 21 or QLASSIC. Besides, information can also be obtained from library at TARC, National Library and the resources centre of CIDB.Figure 1. Outline of research device Literature ReviewQuality PhilosophyDefinition of QualityThe word of quality has a wide definition and it is an elusive c one timept, because contrary people view it differently (Joel E.Ross 2009). It can be further proven by Kerzners (2009, p.875) study, he indicated that quality cannot be defined accurately, the major reason for quality depends on the view of the customer. Quality is always treated as a complicated term, the explanation is inadequate to help a quality professional fully understand the c at oncept. However, quality experts define quality in a different way as well, which is establish on the customers perspective, speciafication-based prespective (Assignment Expert n.d.).However, there is a modern definition derived by Prof.R.K.Gupta (2008) that quality is fitness for mean use. It can be explained as take overing or exceeding customer expectations. It can be further defined as the degree of fulfillment of customer needs and expectations by a supplier or table service provider. Undoubtedly, quality is an essential element in a series of activities that has been preceived and measure out much by end users, not the suppliers.There are seven essentials of measur ing quality, they are Functions, Safety, Aesthetics, Reliability, Longevity (product lift and primary(prenominal)tenance), Service-delivery (effectiveness of marketing channel) and customer colloquy (effectiveness of communication channel). Those are the main elements to cover customers satisfaction and developers preception about quality of product (Prof.R.K.Gupta 2008).Davids study (cited in Joel E.Ross 2009) stated that quality can be summarised into five principal snugglees, which are transcendentel view of quality, product-based view, user-based view, manufacturing-based view, and value-based view. The explanation of each view is shown as belowTranscendental view of quality cannot be defined, but it can be differentiated by looking product. For instance, advertisement.Product-based view quality is deemed as quantifiable and measurable characteristics. For instance, measure products durability or reliability (e.g. mean time of failure or finish) and design the product to t he bench mark. Although this approach has a lot of benefit, but it has restriction as well. In fact, quality is close toly based on individual taste or preference, whence the benchmark for measuring may be misleading.User-based view products that meet customers preferences are esteemed as highest quality. This may lead to two problems, one is the differences of customers preferences and the other is the difficulty of unifying the different preferences of customers. This approach can identify the products that meet the needs of major customers.Manufacturing-based view products are complied with the requirements, or specification. This concept applies to both services and products. Good quality product is not necessary in the eye of end-user but in the standards or specification set by the organisation.Value-based view quality is defined in terms of costs, prices and other attributes. Therefore, the reflection of customers decision mostly depends on the quality at an acceptable price. ontogeny of QualityThere is a changing view of quality during the knightly twenty years, so improvement of quality is occured from time to time. Quality improvement not only focused in product but also services (Harold kerzner 2009, p.875). Additionally, Harold kerzner has introduced a changing view of quality from past to present as shown in table 2.1. board 2. Changing views of quality agonePresentQuality is the responsibility of blue-collar shapeers and direct labour employees operative on the floorQuality is everyones responsibility, including white-collar workers, the indirect labour force, and the overhead staffQuality defects should be hidden from the customer (and possibily management)Defect should be highlighted and brought to the surface for corrective actionQuality problems lead to blame, faulty justification, and excusesQuality problems lead to cooperative solutionsCorrections-to-quality problems should be accomplished with minimum documentation credential is essential for lesson learned so that mistakes are not repeatedincrease quality will increase project costsImproved quality saves money and increases businessQuality is internally focusedQuality is customer focusedQuality will not occur without close supervision of peoplePeople want to ptoduce quality productQuality occurs during project executionQuality occurs at project initiation and must be planned for within the project(Source Harold kerzner 2009, p.875).Importance of QualityThere is no doubt that quality is extremely important because it will bring benefits. The benefits can be divided into two, they are internal benefits and outside benefits. The figure 2.1 below shows the internal benefits and external benefits from good quality.(Source Abhiman DasMulmi 2009, p.7)Figure 2. Internal benefits and external benefits from good qualityHistorical Perspectives of Total Quality ManagementThere are four stages of evolution of Total Quality Management, they are Quality management, Qua lity Control, Quality Assurance and Total Quality Management (TQM) (UTM 2003). Figure 2.2 shows the four stages of Quality Management. Abhiman DasMulmi (2009) recogonised that quality management is also a hirarchical process which is initiated with rough limited review and then veritable with quality cut back, followed by quality assurance under the wider management approach of TQM. Figure 2.3 shows the different characteristics of different stages in TQM. The concept of TQM has been developed since 1950 by various American experts. Among the experts, W Edwards Deming, Joeseph Juran and A.V.Feigenbaum have contributed significantly in developing the concept of TQM.Quality InspectionAbhiman DasMulmi (April 2009) has stated that in order to ensure the radical level of quality to be accomplish, the most suitable use of quality control will be quality reassessment. Once the inspector found out the ridiculous quality product which is separated from the acceptable quality product, t he product would be scrapped, reworked or sold as lower quality. Therefore, the method of inspection mainly sorts out the conformance and non-conformance of the product, it usually is done by visual inspection or examen (UTM 2003).(Source Dale 1994)Figure 2. Four stages of quality managementQuality Control (QC)Due to industrial advancement, it came to second stage of TQM development. Quality control is a stage above inspection (Abhiman DasMulmi April 2009). The quality was controlled done oversee skills, written specification, measurement and standardisation (Prof. Alessandro Brun 2010-2011).The process of QC involves monitoring and then utilizing statistical techniques to act decision. Quality standard of products and services can be modify and maintained through QC (Abhiman DasMulmi April 2009).Quality Assurance (QA)Quality assurance (QA) is the third stages of quality evolution. It is aim to provide products and services that fulfill customers expectations and needs (UTM 2003 ). QA can be defined as a process of checking, correcting and controlling is conducted in such a manner that the manufacture/ service providers are aware that all stages of the process are being conducted correctly with the specified standard (Abhiman DasMulmi April 2009). Other activities such as comprehensive quality manuals, use of cost of quality, development of process control and auditing of quality systems are also developed in order to progress from quality control to the quality assurance (UTM 2003).Total Quality Management (TQM)Total Quality Management is the polish stages of this development, it involves the understanding and implementation of quality management principles and concepts in every aspect of activities. (Prof. Alessandro Brun 2010-2011) The purpose of TQM is to fully utilise these activities to provide customers with best quality products or services at the lowest cost. Additionally, continually improve quality is the main aim of TQM to become a winning stra tegy to gain customer loyalty (UTM 2003).(Source Chew 2000)Figure 2. Different characteristics of different stages in TQM2.2 Quality Assessment System in Construction (QLASSIC) Construction Quality Assessment System (CONQUAS 21)IntroductionIn current scenario in Construction Industry, carrying into action of completed product can be measured by implementing either QLASSIC or CONQUAS 21. Both of them are an independent assessment carried out by assessors to inspect, evaluate and measure the quality of workmanship.QLASSICQuality Assessment System in Construction or QLASSIC is an independent method that developed by CIDB Malaysia to assess and evaluate the construction work which done by workman based on the approved standard (CIDB n.d.). On other hand, QLASSIC also act as a benchmark for contractor to achieve and maintain the quality of construction work (CIDB 2011) According to Ali Faizal (n.d.), QLASSIC is a standard which expected to invalidate contentious disputes between rele vent parties such as architects, engineers, developers, purchasers, contractor regarding on opus of acceptable quality and to ensure that the interest of buyers or purchasers is secured.CONQUAS 21Since year 1989, Construction Quality Assessment System or CONQUAS is introduced in Singapore to serve as a standard assessment system on building project. In year 1998, several features was added into CONQUAS by BCA, therefore, CONQUAS has evolved in a new edition which renamed as CONQUAS 21 (Building and Construction Authority 2008). analogyBoth quality assessment systems served as a same forge to assess and evaluate the quality of workmanship of building project based on the approved standard. Besides, both of them are carried out through direct inspection by assessors that have no any relationship with that event project. Marks will be given after the assessment system is completed. Additionally, regardless of QLASSIC and CONQUAS, both of them are act as a benchmark for contractor t o achieve and maintain the quality of construction work.ObjectiveCONQUAS 21 was designed with trio objectives while the QLASSIC was designed with five objectives. Those objectives was designed and developed for the users to achieve.QLASSIC (CIDB 2006)To standardize the level of quality of the construction industry in MalaysiaTo measure the quality of workmanship of building project by implementing standard quality assessment systemTo measure quality of workmanship of a building project based on approved standardTo appraise the capital punishment of contractors based on quality of workmanship andTo collect data for statistical analysisCONQUAS 21 (BCA 2008)To have a standard quality assessment system to assess quality of workmanship for construction full treatmentTo make quality assessment objective byMeasuring constructed work against workmanship standard and specificationUsing a sampling approach to suitably represent the whole projectTo enable quality assessment to be carried o ut systematically within timeframe budget comparingOn the whole, most of the objectives between CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC are same, just present in different wording. The similarity of the objectives between both quality assessment systems is having a standard quality assessment to evaluate the quality of workmanship and measure construction work against workmanship standard and specification. There are some differences between CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC. Firstly, one of the objectives of CONQUAS 21 is to enable quality assessment to be carried out systematically within time frame and budget. Secondly, QLASSIC is designed with another two objectives, they are to appraise the performance of contractors based on quality of workmanship and to collect data for statistical analysis.ScopeIn general, stove has been defined as the area or extent of an activity (Kernerman slope Multilingual Dictionary 2010). CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC have set out their kitchen range or the covered area of the asses sment. Therefore, both of the quality assessment systems set out the standards for various aspects of construction work (BCA 2008). Assessment on the quality of workmanship is carried out based on the various construction elements in the project and marks awarded are then summed up to give a total quality score for the building project (CIDB 2006).QLASSIC (CIDB 2006) important elements to be covered in Quality Assessment System are as follows morphologic plantarchitectural kit and boodleMechanical Electrical plant lifeExternal plant lifeThe above mentioned components can be further humble into different items such as internal finishes, external finishes, roof, sanitary work, galvanizing work and so on. However, the plant life such as piling, heavy al-Qaida and sub-structure whole shebang which are hard equipment-based and called under separate contracts or sub-contracts are excluded.Undoubtedly, assessment is primarily based on workmanship standard through site inspection and field testing. Therefore, assessment on geomorphological work and ME working is carried out during the construction process, while for completed building project, assessment on architectural, ME fitting and external workings is executed to measure the quality of workmanship.Other than site inspection, test on the material and the structural performance of selected services and installation also will be included in the assessment. Those tests can protect the interest of occupants in term of safety, comfort and esthetical defects which will be surfaced only after some time.CONQUAS 21 (BCA 2008)Main components to be covered in CONQUAS are as followsStructural full treatmentArchitectural whole shebangMechanical Electrical worksThe above mentioned components can be further broken into different item such as internal finishes, external finishes, roof, sanitary work, electrical work and so on. However, the works such as piling, heavy foundation and sub-structure works which ar e heavily equipment-based, buried or covered and called under separate contracts or sub-contracts are excluded.Undoubtedly, assessment is primarily based on workmanship standard through site inspection and field testing. Therefore, assessment on structural work and ME works is carried out during the construction process, while for completed building project, assessment is only carried out on architectural work to measure the quality of workmanship.Other than site inspection, test on the material and the functional performance of selected services and installation also will be included in the assessment. Those tests can protect the interest of occupants in term of safety, comfort and esthetical defects which will be surfaced only after some time.ComparisonIt is seemingly shown that there are four components covered in the QLASSIC while three components for the CONQUAS 21. The only difference between them is QLASSIC has an superfluous component, which is External works. In fact, th e external work of CONQUAS 21 is grouped together with structural work.Due to the additional component of QLASSIC, there are slightly differences on the quality assessment. For better understanding, the following table shows the differences of the quality assessment between them.Table 2. Comparison of Components to be Tested Between QLASSIC and CONQUAS 21Components to be testedQLASSICDuring Construction processStructural works and Mechanical Electrical works.Completed BuildingArchitectural works, Mechanical Electrical works and External works.Components to be AssessedQLASSIC (CIDB 2006)For the QLASSIC, the assessment is divided into 4 componentsStructural worksStructural is always deemed as an importance element of whole building because it might incur grown amount of failure and prepare cost once it failure. Therefore, the assessment of structural work comprisesSite inspection of formwork, steel reinforcement, prefabricated or pre-cast elements, etc during construction.Laborato ry testing of compressive strength of concrete and tractile strength of steel reinforcement.Non-destructive testing of the cover and the uniformity of hardened concrete.Architectural worksArchitectural works are mainly deal with the finishes. The quality and standards of workmanship can be showed plain through the finishes.Floors, ceiling, window and door and internal wall, fittings and fixtures, external wall, roofs, driveway, apron and porch are works under architectural.Mechanical and Electrical (ME) worksThe quality of ME works is also important because it might impact the performance of the building once its failure and high cost is involve in rectification works and installation works as well. Electrical works, air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation works (ACMV), fire protection works, sanitary and plumbing works, lifts, escalator and other basic ME fittings are covered under the assessment.External worksLastly, the external works cover the general external works elements in building construction such as the link ways/shelter, drains, road works, car parks, footpaths, turfings, playgrounds, gate and fences, swimming pools, hardscapes and electrical substation.CONQUAS 21 (BCA 2008)For the CONQUAS 21, the assessment is divided into 4 componentsStructural worksStructural is always deemed as an importance element of whole building because it might incur big amount of failure and repair cost once it failure. Therefore, the assessment of structural work comprisesSite inspection of formwork, steel reinforcement, prefabricated or pre-cast elements, etc during construction.Laboratory testing of compressive strength of concrete and tensile strength of steel reinforcement.Non-destructive testing of the cover and the uniformity of hardened concrete.Architectural worksArchitectural works are mainly deal with the finishes. The quality and standards of workmanship can be showed obviously through the finishes. The assessment covers the followingSite inspection of f loors, internal walls, ceiling, window and door, fittings, roof, external walls of the building.Material functional tests such as window pissing-tightness, wet area water-tightness and adhesion of internal wall tiles. quickness of waterproofing for internal wet areas also included in the process of assessment.Mechanical and Electrical (ME) worksThe quality of ME works is also important because it might impact the performance of the building once its failure and high cost is involve in rectification works and installation works as well. Electrical works, air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation works (ACMV), fire protection works, sanitary and plumbing works, lifts, escalator and other basic ME fittings are covered under the assessment. The stages of the assessment includeSite inspection of installed works before they are secret such as the concealed pipesSite inspection of final installed works such as the Air-Handling units (AHU), cooling system tower, fire alarm control pa nel, etc.Performance tests on selected works such as earthing test, dry riser test and water pressure test, etc.ComparisonThe components of CONQUAS 21 and QLASSIC are quite similar. However, there is only one difference, it is CONQUAS 21 does not have external works. In fact, the external works was grouped together with structural works.The following tables are the comparison of sub-components to be assessed between QLASSIC and CONQUAS 21Structural worksTable 2. Comparison of Sub-Components to be Assessed between QLASSIC and CONQUAS 21 (Structural Works)Sub components to be assessedQLASSICCONQUAS 21Part 1 Reinforced Concrete StructuresFormworkReinforcement (Cash in-situ and Precast) finished Concrete (Cash in-situ and Precast)Precast Specific RequirementsStructure QualityNon-Destructive testingPart 2 Structural Steel WorksMain section/ Partial Assembled ComponentMetal DeckingErection TolerancesCorrosion and Fire safeguardWelding Test ReportsPart 3 Pre-Stressed ConcreteCondition o f Tendons AnchoragesInstallation of SheathingStressing Grouting ProcessDebondling(Source CIDB 2006 and BCA 2008)Architectural worksTable 2. Comparison of Sub-Components to be Assessed between QLASSIC and CONQUAS 21 (Architectural Works)Sub-components to be assessedQLASSICCONQUAS