FACTORS INFLUENCING QUALITY ASSURANCE IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: A CASE OF URBAN INSTITUTIONAL AND INFRUSTRUCTURES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN MIZAN AMAN TOWN

Abstract

The building industry, essential to economic growth, struggles to maintain quality. The Urban institutional and infrastructure development (UIIDP) of Mizan Aman Town has struggled to ensure quality in its construction projects, resulting in higher costs and poor performance. Quality discrepancies have caused construction project delays, cost overruns, and poor work under UIIDP, requiring greater defect reduction and maintenance costs. These obstacles obstruct project management and program success. The study identified and examined the factors that affect quality assurance in UIIDP construction projects and ways to improve quality control. Investigated project factor correlations using explanatory descriptive research, surveyed UIIDP clients, consultants, and contractors, evaluated quality assurance variables using RII scores, and used correlation analysis to investigate variable relationships. The research presented important factors that hinder quality assurance, which were classified as material-related, technical-related, and management-related. The principal obstacles were inappropriate contractor selection, incomplete drawings, and substandard materials. Poor quality of building construction projects resulted in escalated modification expenses, reduced end-user satisfaction, and disputes among stakeholders. In order to guarantee quality, it was imperative to implement strategic site supervision, engage contractors with extensive experience, and furnish detailed specifications. The study reviled that Contractor selection, technical specifications, and material quality must be focused on improving UIIDP construction project quality assurance. This study emphasizes the significance of comprehensive evaluation, stakeholder participation, and planning to address poor quality in UIIDP. Use detailed material quality assessments, technical standards, and contractor selection criteria to improve quality assurance in future UIIDP projects. Quality assurance could also be enhanced through specialized training and stakeholder participation. The study bridges conceptual building principles and their visible application in the unique socio-economic and environmental conditions of Mizan Aman Town.