Critical factors affecting quality performance in construction projects

The reasons for the underperformance of the quality of Indian construction projects were studied to suggest possible remedial measures. A preliminary survey identified 55 attributes responsible to impact quality performance of the projects. Statistical analysis of questionnaire responses on the attributes resulted into two distinct sets of success and failure attributes. Further analyses of individual sets of success attributes and failure attributes separately grouped them into fewer critical success and failure factors. The critical success factors obtained were: project manager's competence; top management's support; monitoring and feedback by project participants; interaction among project participants; and owners' competence. The factors that adversely affected the quality performances of projects were: conflict among project participants; hostile socio-economic environment; harsh climatic condition; PM's ignorance & lack of knowledge; faulty project conceptualization; and aggressive competition during tendering. Analyses also led to the conclusion that the extent of contribution of various success factors varies with the current performance ratings of the project. Project manager's competence and top management support are found to contribute significantly in enhancing the quality performance of a construction project. As in the manufacturing industry, the study establishes that management plays an important role in achieving quality even in construction projects.