Project Management Assignment: Analysis on ISO 9001:2015 in Construction Industry
Question
Task: Prepare a project management assignment Report on the topic “ISO 9001:2015 in Construction sector”.
Answer
1.Overview
The concept of International Organization Standardization considered in the project management assignmentis a global federation that underpins national standards. It is a non-governmental organization that is primarily is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The members working in ISO are highly committed to developing standards for ensuring product safety and quality with the promotion of innovative techniques in national and international markets(ISO, 2021). In addition to this, the world has been experiencing rapid growth in the population that requires the urgent need of urbanization due to which there is an increasing requirement for high quality, safe and sustainable environment (Zutshi&Creed, 2015). ISO standards help in codifying international best practices and technical needs for ensuring buildings are safe for use. The registrars or central bodies issue ISO9001 certifications for certifying standards of the companies as well as individuals. The copies of the standards used in various industries can cost up to $120 or more with additional costs of auditing the standards.
a. Purpose
The purpose of the ISO standards is to upgrade the standards while also managing the qualities so that business operations exert minimum impacts on the societies as well as on the environments. The main purpose of this report will be to analyze different elements of ISO 9001 standards that were established in 2015 for the construction industries (ISO, 2021).
b. History
The original version of ISO standards was published in the year 1987 that underwent several revisions in the years 1994, 2000, and 2008. In the year 2015, the latest revision was made for improving the design and developmental clauses while also providing clarifications.
c. Description
The standards laid down by ISO helps in improving customer confidence in construction products thus creating reassurances that buildings, bridges, and pathways are built on safety standards that are internationally followed. The ISO 9001 standards upgraded in 2015 for the construction industry includes
- Structures
- Masonry
- Materials and products for building and structures
- Managing information
- Energy and Sustainability
- Provision for heating, cooling, and lighting
- Fire Fighting procedures
- Designing Life, durability, and service planning
- Concrete and cement
- Escalators
- Timber
d. Five advantages and Disadvantages
The companies in construction industries will be able to improve overall performance by satisfying all the requirements of ISO standards.
Benefits
Planning- ISO 9001 standards will encourage strategic planning while completing complex building structures. The planning elements of ISO:9001 help the construction companies in understanding challenges, risks, and opportunities thus meeting objectives, attaining cost efficiencies, and anotheroperational benefit (ISO, 2017).
Supply Chain Management:The articles and elements defined in 9001 help in managing supplier performances. Thus, ensuring efficient supply chains for meeting both the price and quality needs of the project.
Performance Evaluation:Checking the phases on performance evaluation as per QMS in ISO 9001: 2015, the construction companies can align their performances for achieving continual improvements with enhanced planning and processes (ISO, 2017).
Standardization of service and quality of products- Thew application of elements defined in ISO 9001:2015, construction companies can ensure that the quality, methods, and adherence to the legislation are very consistent. Reduction of the Costs- The supply chain management has improved the purchasing procedures thus reducing costs and improving profitability.
Disadvantages
The companies often criticize ISO standards for their rigorous procedures and costs, thus some of the disadvantages for attaining its certifications are
- The process for certification can be complicated and time-consuming.
- Involves high bureaucracy (Bravi et al, 2019)
- Requires Higher accountability
- Iso 9001:2015 certifications are expensive for small construction units
- Standards involve unnecessarily activities that might reduce the productivity of the construction project
In addition to this, the certifications do not guarantee superior quality products by the companies (Zutshi&Creed, 2015).
e. Who is using it? How? / five significant providers
The ISO certifications and standards for varied domains for ensuring consistency. In the ISO 9001:2015, several upgrades have been for the construction as well as other industries. The ISO standard and certifications are separate for each area and function within the industry.
In the construction industry, there are varied standards like
- Structures- ISO TC 98, 167, 165 is applied
- Sustainability- Application of ISO TC 163, 212930
- Fire Safety- Application of ISO21, 92, 7240
- Information Management- ISO 13, 16757,12911 is applied
- Lifts and escalators- ISO 178, 18870, SC 14, ISO15686-5
The ISO certifications can be attained through completing the documents and audits of the ISO certification body present in the region. The above-mentioned standards can be considered as significant providers of ISO certifications.
Figure 1:Significant Providers of ISO Certifications
2. Critical Analysis * 1
The implementation of the ISO 9001:2015 is considered to be a challenging part for many companies due to the complexity of projects as well as standards. In this view, Almeida et al (2018), conducted a study on implementation factors of ISO 9001:2015 in Brazilian Power Train Suppliers. The study was conducted on 47 Brazilian companies that are engaged in supplying auto parts in assembly plants of power trains. Highly knowledgeable managers in domains of QMS (Quality Management Systems) and ISO 9001were encouraged to participate. The findings revealed major factors that were responsible for the successful implementation of ISO 9001:2015 standards were implementation schedules, organizational culture, resource availability, departmental integration, level of bureaucracy as well as awareness (Almeida et al, 2018). The author also revealed that quality staff reliability was one of the new factors that played a significant role in the implementation of ISO:9001 standards. This research can be applied to other sectors like construction to attain quality and efficiency standards. This paper did not reveal or study critical factors that are important in ISO 9001:2015 implementation & maintenance. However, the study provides an insight on the factors that must be focused on by the construction companies for implementing and maintaining ISO9001:2015 standards.
3.Critical Analysis * 2
The organizations in the constructioncompanieshire workforces and labours that possess medium to high technical knowledge. Training and education of the workforce are often carried within the organization are important for creating awareness about legal aids, safety practices which further results in influencing non-monetary factors like retention, motivation, recognition, and others. It becomes important for investigating the influences of ISO 9001 on the company's performances in the developing regions of the world as emerging markets lack resources for following sustainable practices. In this view, Nurcahyo&Habiburrahman (2021) conducted a study on the automotive manufacturing industries in Indonesia for evaluating the impacts of ISO 9001 on company performance. The author aimed at evaluating the relationship amongst the ISO 9001, operations (efficiencies like productivity, the satisfaction of the customers, product qualities), and business performance (like sales growth, profit rates, market share while also determining the main barriers of implementation. The regression analysis revealed that the impact of ISO 9001:2015 mediates positive impacts on the quality management and business performance, however, the major barriers were lack of qualified staffs, high resistance from employees, training, and insufficient commitments from top executives of the companies. Thus, the article provides practical examples of why Indonesia lacks behind Malaysia and Thailand in the successful implementation of ISO 9001:2015. The managers and top-level executives should devise strategies on the gaps prevalent in the study for successful implementation. Also, the managers in the construction companies should aim at studying detailed relations of ISO 9001 and business performances for devising strategies accordingly.
4. Conclusion
The ISO standards help the construction industry in attaining efficiencies through the establishment of internationally agreed design and manufacturing processes. The standards cover each element of the construction project that ranges from soil to building roofing procedures. However, small companies and complex project handlers often find it challenging to implement and maintain ISO 9001:2015 in the construction sector.
5. Reference List
Almeida, D., Pradhan, N. and Muniz Jr, J., 2018. Assessment of ISO 9001: 2015 implementation factors based on AHP. International
Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 35 (7), pp. 1343-1359
Bravi, L., Murmura, F. and Santos, G., 2019. The ISO 9001: 2015 quality management system standard: Companies' drivers, benefits, and barriers to its implementation. Quality Innovation Prosperity, 23(2), pp.64-82.
ISO, 2017.ISO and construction. [online] project management assignmentAvailable at:
ISO, 2021. ISO 9001:2015, Quality management systems — Requirements.[online] Available at:
Nurcahyo, R. and Habiburrahman, M., 2021. Relationship between ISO 9001: 2015 and operational and business performance of manufacturing industries in a developing country (Indonesia). Heliyon, 7(1), p.e05537.
Zutshi, A. and Creed, A., 2015. An international review of environmental initiatives in the construction sector. Journal of cleaner production, 98, pp.92-106.
