Construction Quality Management (CQM)

Construction Quality Management: CQM by definition is the performance of tasks which ensure that construction is performed according to plans and specifications, on time, and within a defined budget. Al Kharafi, in building to the quality standards in the plans and specifications, controls the quality of the work. The employer’s effort, separate from, but in coordination and cooperation with Al Kharafi, assures that the quality set by the plans and specifications is achieved and is thereby the purpose of CQM.  In spite of employer’s quality assurance activities, Al Kharafi has primary responsibility for producing construction through compliance with plans, specification, and accepted standards of the industry.

Contractor Quality Control: The primary function of Al Kharafi Construction Quality Control (CQC) is the successful execution of a realistic plan. We produce and always have in place our CQC plan which must ensure that the required standards of quality construction are met.

The benefits of CQM: Both the contractor and the employer must be interested in effective CQM. The benefits to the employer are many, but can be summarized as “Getting our money’s worth!” The benefits are satisfactory performance, profit, better communication, planning, and increased production. One of our keys of Construction Quality Management success is that Al Kharafi understands and is fully aware of the Characteristics of the Construction Industry. Whether large or small, specialized or general, success for Al Kharafi is based on our ability to: manage personal, control costs, finance work, estimate jobs, schedule the work, manage cash flow, manage an effective Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) program, and maintain an effective quality control system.

Three things that are of significant benefit to both the employer and Al Kharafi and they are:

a- Construction-oriented management information systems, 
b- Formal partnering is becoming more common, and
c- There will be increased contractual requirements for data automation, such as drawings on Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) as-built drawings, reporting, scheduling, and electronic bid documents.

Al Kharafi knows well that the construction industry will continue to present complex, difficult challenges. To face the increasing challenges we must have the best tools, properly utilized. Even with a sound system structure, CQM requires the combined efforts of QC personal and QA personal to achieve our shared goals—safe, quality construction built on time and within budget.

Responsibilities: Al Kharafi Senior staff and Managers understand and adopt the philosophy of the quality of construction and best how to achieve it. By the contract, the responsibility for quality control is vested in the contractor.

Benefits to the Employer: Manpower is more effectively used, which helps the Employer’s engineers to maintain effective operations in a time of diminishing resources. Effective CQC results in fewer deficiencies and corrective efforts, which may lead to an earlier completion since there is a reduction in corrective work by contractor forces. Public relations and customer satisfaction are improved when projects are completed on time. As with Al Kharafi personnel, Employer's personnel take pride in the delivery of a quality product.

Communications: Al Kharafi consistently strives to build a quality product within the terms of the contract as we perceive them. However, it is critical that the Al Kharafi and the Employer interpret the plans and specifications in the same way. This requires clear and effective communication between Employer and Contractor. This is the very heart of the Construction Quality Management program, and is dependent on mutual cooperation.

Partnering: Al Kharafi is committed to Partnering which is a long-term commitment between two or more organizations for the purpose of achieving specific business objectives by maximizing the effectiveness of each participant's resources. Partnering relationships are based upon trust, dedication to common goals, and an understanding of each other’s individual expectations and values. We firmly believe that Partnering is not a legally binding relationship. Rather it is a commitment and agreement between the parties to:

1. Remove organizational impediments to open communication within the team.
2. Provide open and complete access to information (except information specifically excluded by law, regulation, or ethical requirements).
3. Empower the working level staff to resolve as many issues as possible.
4. Reach decisions by consensus as much as possible and when consensus is not possible, achieve resolution in a timely manner using an agreed upon process for resolving disagreements.
5. Take joint responsibility for maintaining and nurturing the partnering relationship.

Partnering should not be interpreted as a means to open the door to the compromise of contract requirements established in the plans and specifications.

In summary, Al Kharafi Construction corporate vision and policy is to always adopt effective Construction Quality Management which requires the complete cooperation of the contractor and the Employer. When this partnership works effectively, the project will run smoothly and efficiently.