TQM Implementation Strategy for Capital Projects

Abstract

This paper presents a strategy that major parties involved in the design and construction process can use to help implement total quality management (TQM) on capital projects. Key components of the strategy are developed from analysis of existing TQM models and a study of TQM applied to a large refinery expansion project. The proposed implementation strategy is based on the premise of integrating TQM with a project-management approach that identifies specific phases in the sequential development of capital projects. The strategy prescribes a four-stage deployment plan where each stage parallels a project development phase. The four stages are: (1) establish project TQM environment; (2) identify key project pursuits and project TQM plan; (3) deploy project TQM plan; and (4) apply and improve project TQM plan. The adoption of this strategy to formulate a project TQM implementation approach can lead to the continuous improvement of critical project processes. The end result will be more cost-effective projects and increasingly satisfied project participants.