Study on Quality Management Improvement using Deming’s Principle in Building Construction in Jimma City

Abstract

Improvement in the quality of construction project is linked with quality management in the project life cycle because of this seeking the way of enhancement of quality management is very essential. In developing country construction industry is often criticized by low productivity, poor performance and poor quality. Great expenditures of time, money and resources, both human and material, are wasted each year because of inefficient or nonexistent quality management procedures. The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing quality management and how to improve quality management in building construction projects in Jimma city. The study was both descriptive and exploratory research with the aim of examining the factors contributing to poor quality management in one hand and how quality management can be enhanced in other hand. The target population of the study was contractors and consultants to some extent. Since the total population was small the researcher did not sample hence used census that is capturing the entire population of the contractors and consultant. Questionnaire and interview methods were used for data collection. Data was coded; tabulated and analyzed using spears man correlation and other relevant method based on the study objectives. Descriptive statistics were computed and study findings presented using percentages and tables and interpretations. The study revealed that lack of quality management strategy (MS=4.46), lack of technical expertise (MS=4.39), lack of training and skills (MS=4.25), improper planning and scheduling (MS=4.22), limited financial capabilities (MS=4.17) and lack of well-defined organizational structure (MS=4.17) are among top factors influencing quality management in the study area with the stated mean score. Also the study revealed that only 41.67% of contractors set quality policy and ISO 9001 and quality control/assurance are practiced as the quality management system by contractors operating in the study area. In case of Deming’s principles the study found that the principles are not widely utilized by the contractors in the study area. Finally the study revealed that, by incorporating those principles in to the existing quality management system, the current quality management practice can be improved.