Integrating buildability principles into ISO 9000 quality management systems

Abstract

Productivity and quality are two inter-related issues of utmost importance in the construction industry. The buildability concept and ISO 9000 quality management systems are used to help raise productivity and quality standards in construction. However, both buildability principles and ISO 9000 quality system elements are frequently considered separately in many consulting and construction firms. Many of these firms have also developed and implemented ISO 9000 quality management systems in their organisations. To achieve synergy, buildability principles can be integrated within ISO 9000 quality management systems. Apart from highlighting key buildability principles and ISO 9000 quality system elements, this paper relooks at how the former may be integrated into the latter to achieve synergy in construction productivity and quality standards.