Quality Control
Quality control starts with matching expectations about quality levels with budget and scope during planning and design reviews and continues through construction delivery with a program of inspections, tests, and certifications. It requires a coordinated performance among the entire project team in order for a completed building program to fully satisfy a client's and the building users' expectations. Having a process implemented at the beginning of the project will help define the goals as well as provide a continuous measurement system over time to make sure the objectives are being met. From visioning to post occupancy, a good quality control system like the Design Quality Indicator (DQI) helps eliminate errors, reduces cost and improves overall building quality.
Building commissioning is another quality assurance process for achieving, verifying and documenting that the performance of facility systems and assemblies meet the defined objectives and criteria for the project. Commissioning coordinates and integrates planning development and design decisions and verifies that the delivered facility and its capabilities are efficient and work correctly and that the appropriate training programs are in place to ensure smooth operations over the facilities life. More on this process follows in a subsequent section of this guide.