PDCA – Plan-Do-Check-Act

This is a very simple way of identifying a problem early in early stages and taking corrective action. During the final stages of a project minor building and finishing works going on simultaneously is a typically occurrence resulting in a lot of pressure on the all the building teams. In such a scenario one activity has got a bearing on the second. So, if you have one activity which is not done well, it impacts the subsequent activities and the problem snowballs into a cumbersome one.  To avoid facing a losing battle at the end it’s important to identify the expected problems early in the project’s life. A way to tackle this is to entirely complete all the activities in a particular specified sequence for a small sample as early as possible in the project, including services like plumbing and electrical works.

Post this the QC teams check for the problems that arise. Once the issues are identified, rectification measures can be taken when the mass scale work is happening.

This system of continuous review and improvement is an effective Quality Control tool called PDCA. PDCA stands for Plan-Do-Check-Act – a four-stage problem-solving model that enables organizations to continually improve processes, products or services.

The PDCA Cycle focuses on the success or failure of a plan, followed by needed corrections in the event of a failure.

Each step allows for essential review and what is required for continuous improvement. The idea is that as one goes through a cycle, improvement is made each time. So in construction projects, working on small samples and figuring out the problem areas, the team can make good the processes that went wrong or make some changes in the way some activities were being carried out. It could also involve change in the methodology or material specification.

By following the PDCA Quality Control tool project teams have adequate time to make rectifications so that those problems don’t repeat when carried out on a larger scale.

Let’s break down the PDCA cycle by considering and completing few apartments to finishing stage:

Plan:

• Develop a detailed plan for the finishing stage, specifying materials, colors, and design elements.
• Create a schedule for installing fixtures, painting, flooring, and other finishing tasks.
• Ensure compliance with building codes and quality standards.

Do:

• Execute the finishing tasks according to the established plan.
• Coordinate the installation of fixtures, painting, flooring, and other elements.
• Monitor progress to ensure tasks are completed on schedule and within budget.

Check:

• Inspect each finished flat thoroughly for quality and adherence to design specifications.
• Check for consistency in color, proper installation of fixtures, and any defects in finishing work.
• Solicit feedback from relevant stakeholders, including construction managers and inspectors.

Act:

• If issues are identified during the checking phase, take immediate corrective actions.
• Address any defects, refine processes for better efficiency, and improve quality control measures.
• Update the finishing stage plan for remaining dwelling units based on lessons learned.

Applying the PDCA cycle to the sample size upto the finishing stage ensures a systematic approach to quality assurance, timely completion, and continuous improvement in constructing high-quality flats.