What is ‘quality’ and how is it achieved in construction where teams are busy, dispersed and under time pressure?
ISO certification and the importance of quality management across our business
Quality is a word that gets bandied about in construction a lot, as if it is to be expected, and that “quality” automatically means good. But the fact is that different contractors have very different ideas of what good quality is, and where it should be expected.
That’s why, at ADCO, we have implemented process-driven, compliance-driven quality in our methodologies. ISO 9001:20015 certification is a third party certification following an audit carried out by external assessors that gives investors and optimisers of real estate the comfort of knowing that ADCO will deliver the quality, first time, snag-free.
Quality as culture
Monitoring and managing quality at every stage of a project improves the final outcome of the job. It instils responsibility and pride in the contractor and the trades involved and enhances the overall safety of the project and the finished building. It is a team endeavour, requiring buy-in and commitment from all managers, craft workers and trades. It has become the cultural imperative on ADCO sites, and it underpins all programmes and methodologies.
The positive impact of quality management on construction projects
The way we see it at ADCO, quality is not simply about the finish or the final product. Quality management starts at the very beginning and makes a positive impact at every stage of the construction process.
- It can help to reduce both the time and cost of delivering a project.
- It can better meet the needs of the client by constantly seeking ways to come up with better, more efficient solutions.
- It enhances the reputation not only of the contractor but of the client, as both will be seen as having high standards of quality.
- It can reduce waste of materials and of time that would be otherwise lost through low-quality management and practices.
High quality might cost more. But you can’t afford poor quality.
At the end of the day, poor quality working practices will incur further costs, time and waste materials to correct. In addition, poor quality is often the root cause of safety problems. When a component fails due to quality issues, it may cause loss or injury. Like quality, health and safety is process and compliance driven, the two disciplines go hand-in-hand.
The benefits of ISO 9001:2000 certification
ISO 9001:2000 is the quality management system and standard that ADCO employs to promote greater responsibility amongst our people, better use of time and resources, risk and failure management, as well as greater traceability of the products and services we provide.
We use the ISO 9001 quality management system to monitor and manage quality across all of our operations. It helps us to achieve and record consistent performance and service.
The ADCO Quality Commitment
ADCO is committed to delivering the highest standard of professional services and care for our clients in the construction industry through the provision of pharmaceutical, main contracting, construction and project management services.
All operatives and staff employed by ADCO accept direct responsibility for their own work and are trained to clearly interpret all of our control interfaces to the highest standards and in line with ISO 9001:2000 requirements.
Quality is in our DNA
Our adherence to quality assurance at all times is borne out in the number of industry awards and certifications we have received and the fact that more than 80% of our business is sourced through current or referral clients. In our pursuit of high quality at every stage we:
- Comply with all relevant legislation and regulations, and with relevant specifications and requirements
- Provide effective utilisation of resources
- Deliver a service that exceeds customer expectations
- Develop a challenging and rewarding work environment
- Promote a culture of quality awareness and responsibility through leadership, communication and training for our employees, suppliers and sub-contractors
- Strive for harmonious teamwork and care for our staff wellbeing
- Invest in personnel via education, training and development
- Maintain an externally accredited management system that meets the requirements of ISO 9001:2000
Contact the team at ADCO today to find out more.