Project Quality Management And Environmental Impact Assessment

Question: Describe about the Project Quality Management And Environmental Impact Assessment? Answer: Introduction: Most of the construction projects fail to generate expected deliverables due to presence of problems related with poor quality of work, cost overrun and delays (AboMoslim and Russell, 2014). According to Boton, Kubicki and Halin, (2013) increased number of reworks and material wastage reduces the overall efficiency of projects management techniques for developing large constructions. Douglas, (2013) opined that need of implementing quality management tools is increasing for large construction projects as the complexity of designs are increasing. Gatti, (2013) states that quality management techniques require being implemented in all phases of construction projects. It is required in order to improve overall quality of the deliverables. As the consciousness on environmental degradation is increasing, the need of assessing environmental impacts of construction projects is also increasing. Delaney, (2014) stated that developments of large construction may degrade quality of air of an ar ea. However, according to Chen, Li and Tu, (2013) dumping of wastes in large projects can lead to degradation of soil and water also. As the countries are implementing stricter policies for reducing environmental degradation, importance of evaluating environmental impacts is being more evident. The current report contains discussion on the implementation plan of quality management and environmental assessment techniques in construction of new stadium in Perth. Description of the case study: Perth Stadium development: Perth stadium redevelopment is one of the largest projects in Western Australia (Perthstadium.com.au, 2015).The new stadium in Perth is being developed not only for improving sports infrastructure of the country; it will be responsible for economic growth of Western Australia also. The Government of Western Australia took the initiative for developing new stadium in Perth. Famous constructor Brookfield Multiplex is appointed as the project manager. Scope of the project includes development of a multipurpose stadium with about 60000 seats, transportation facility including such as foot bridges, railway station ,bus terminus, food courts, entertainment zones and car parking facility. The scope also includes development play grounds for children, amphitheatre and picnic areas. However the construction is not completed. It is expected that the new stadium will be open by 2018. Quality management in Perth stadium reconstruction: As the stadium requires being completed within short time, implementation of quality management techniques is important for completing the project successfully. As the new stadium development in Perth includes several construction activities, undertaking of the project can cause environmental degradation in Western Australia. As the Government of Western Australia follows strict standards about environmental quality, implementation of environmental assessment techniques is important for uninterrupted execution of construction activities. Ghaffari, (2013) states that absence of proper quality management techniques leads to wastage of both financial and human resources. Awange, (2012) opines that identification of parameters on which quality of the construction related activities depends are important to develop quality management techniques inn projects. However, parameters for determining quality vary for different projects due to presence of differences among locations and designs (Goetsch and Davis, 2013). Factors for defining quality: Guichard, (2013) suggested some common parameter for managing quality on a construction project. These parameters include developing any construction according to the design and meeting the requirements of customers. Quality of a construction also depends on fulfilling the specifications of any regulatory bodies associated with the project. The Government of Australia is undertaking the Perth Stadium reconstruction project as a part of Western Australia development activities (Halwatura and Ranasinghe, 2013). The new stadium will be used for arranging several national and international sports events (Kuntjoro, Jumahat and Salleh, 2013). Apart from this, local people will also use this stadium as an entertainment center. Design of the stadium is prepared in such way so that the seating capacity can be increased in future. The stadium not only possess advanced infrastructure of arranging sports events, it also includes restaurants and transportation facility for visitors. Analysis on the design of proposed stadium indicates that quality of the project will depend on meeting the designing specifications, meeting the requirements of Australian Government. Quality of the project will also depend on fulfilling the specifications of Australian Government on environmental standards. As common people are one of the main stakehol ders of this project, meeting their expectations will also determine quality of the new stadium. Need for using quality control techniques in Stadium Development project: Use of quality management techniques for executing a project ensures that the tasks needed for fulfilling requirements of customers are being conducted efficiently (Leydecker, 2013). Li and Zhang, (2013) suggests that use of quality management techniques enable the project team to develop policies related with the project efficiently. The tasks related with implementation of quality assurance techniques also include setting of standards and developing guidelines. According to Lingard and Wakefield, (2013) quality of a construction project depends on the efficiency of the staffs. Training of members in a project team is required for imp roving efficiency of the whole team. According to Makuch and Pereira, (2012) quality assurance techniques deal with identification of the need of training in project team. However the tasks related with setting guidelines and monitoring project activities are also conducted as a part of quality assurance technique implementation in project. The stadium in Perth will be developed on large area. As the size of project is larger than normal construction projects, several activities will be conducted simultaneously. It indicates that the project team will face difficulties while monitoring. High complexity of the design , also indicates that every activities related with construction required being monitored closely in order to meeting requirements of the Government of Australia. The project manager, Brookfield Multiplex is not only responsible for developing the stadium and other secondary construction, the organization is also responsible for maintenance of the stadium in future. As development of such large constructions can cause environmental degradation in Perth and surrounding cities, implementation of quality management tools is important for meeting the requirements of the Government and environmental regulatory bodies. Factors affecting quality: According to McEwen, (2013) a construction project can be segmented into three main phases designing and planning phase, phase of construction, operation and maintenance phase. As the quality of project deliverables depend on activities in every stage, identification of factors that can affect the quality of deliverables is important for implementing quality management techniques. According to Millar, Oliner and Sichel, (2013) quality of a construction project depends on the raw material. Muturi and Sagwe, (2013) states that lack of suppliers involvement with project activities can impact on the overall quality. Lack of skilled members on project team can also reduce quality of the constructions. Planning and scheduling different tasks in project influences on the successful execution of the tasks. Quality of the project can also be hampered due to lack of proper planning and scheduling. As new stadium development will be used for arranging different supported and entertainment activities, quality of raw material is important for fulfilling its purpose. Although Brookfield multiplex, a famous constructor is appointed as the project manager, local citizens require being hired for timely completion of the project. Lack of training among casual staffs can affect quality of the stadium. Quality of the Air and land can be degraded while undertaking the project. Development of inefficient project policies can affect the quality. Analysis on the stadium development project indicates that the quality can be affected due to lack of supplier involvement, lack of collaboration among teams, inefficient project policies, lack of budget, and absence of quality standards. Total quality management (TQM) in Stadium reconstruction: According to Pries and Quigley, (2013) use of TQM techniques enables a project team to control quality standards at every stage of project cycle. Randolph, (2014) states that implementation of TQM is effective for maintaining quality of construction projects as it ensures that all stakeholder are involved with the project management process. Thus fulfilling requirements of customers become easier for the project team. Figure 1: Elements of TQM in construction projects TQM implementation process in new stadium development project includes development of policies regarding supplier, training of employees, and communication among teams and deciding methods required for quality measurement. Modifying role of management: Scott Howe, (2000) states that effectiveness of TQM techniques depend on the management policies for executing a project. Quality of the project depends on meeting criteria of its stakeholders. Development of project charter can enable the project manager to understand scope of the project (Sherratt, 2014). Development of project charter will also be effective for identifying the risks associated with project. Prediction of the potential risks leads to development of more effective management policies. As the project of developing new stadium in Perth consists of several construction works, the managers can identify subtasks within large construction works. Use of Work breakdown structure will be effective for identifying the subtasks (Shrestha, Burns and Shields, 2013). As several tasks require being completed within estimated time, the managers of project team can develop milestones for scheduling tasks. Although different teams will be working in the project, communication among members of a project team is an important factor for improving quality of the tasks (Smiley, Fernie and Dainty, 2014). Management of the project can develop communication plans for maintaining collaboration among teams. The project managers also can develop proper reporting structure for monitoring activities related with construction work. Need for training: Smith, Merna and Jobling, (2013) opined that effectiveness of management policies depends on the process of implementing it. As the proposed design of new stadium is highly complex, skilled workforce is required for meeting all specifications of design. However, the project manager, Brookfield Multiplex requires recruiting temporary staffs for completion of the project. The organization can provide training to these staffs to assist them for developing new skills. Stahl, (2013) stated that each construction project is unique as the designs of different constructions are different. According to Tao and Tam, (2013) technological requirements for undertaking a construction project varies highly on the design. As different technologies are used for executing different tasks within a project, training of employees is important for improving their skills. Emphasizing on teamwork: As the time for completing project is short, the project manager can develop separate teams for executing tasks. These teams will be responsible for developing their own goals. Scheduling all tasks of large project can be difficult for a single team (Taylor, 2010). If different teams take the responsibility of scheduling their own duties, chances of completing the project on time will increase (Walter and Styhre, 2013). However the teams require communicating with each other for developing more effective project plans. Engaging different teams to make final plan, enables the project manager to revise these plans (Shrestha, Burns and Shields, 2013). As a result of revising plans for several times, number of flaws reduces. Communication among teams plays an important role for successful completion of the project (Watts, 2013). The project manager can use reporting structures for supervising the construction activities and monitoring progress in project. Although team work at the first phase of project cycle leads to development of effective plan, it is also required in construction phase also. Lingard and Wakefield (2013) states that construction projects require professionals of different fields for being completed. Collaboration among the teams of different professionals is essential for fulfilling the requirements of Western Australia Government. Use of statistical method: According to Kuntjoro, Jumahat and Salleh, (2013) the teams handling large projects may face several difficulties for completing the project within time and budget. Analysis on the project of new stadium development in Perth indicates that the tasks relayed with the project are highly complex . In this project statistical methods can be used for solving the problems which are faced by project team while executing the tasks. As stated by identification of the problems which are affecting quality of a project is necessary for developing quality management strategies. Use of statistical methods for identification of the factors which are impacting on the overall quality is more effective than any other methods (Walter and Styhre, 2013). Shrestha, Burns and Shields, (2013) suggest that use of data for making decisions results development of efficient decisions. Lingard and Wakefield, (2013) also opines that making decisions on basis of view of members of the pr oject team can increase risks. Analysis on the project of new Perth Stadium development indicates that the teams can use cause and effect diagrams, histograms and graphs for identifying the factors influencing quality of the project. However, use of statistical methods dose not reduce the importance of contribution of the members in planning and decision making process. Feasibility analysis: Effectiveness of quality management techniques depends on the cost require for implementing the strategy. Goetsch and Davis, (2013) considered that the cost of quality management tools as the primary parameters for measuring quality of a project. Although implementation of quality management strategies is important for meeting customer requirements, it also requires being ensured that use of these tools are not affecting profitability of the project (Shrestha, Burns and Shields, 2013). Involving supplier with quality management: Relationship among the stakeholders of a project influences quality of the deliverables (Walter and Styhre, 2013). Goetsch and Davis, (2013) state that successful execution of the project depends on involvements of the stakeholders .According to Kuntjoro, Jumahat and Salleh, (2013) the quality of project delivered by a constructor depends on the quality of material and equipments provided by supplier.() opines that maintenance of close relationship with suppliers is required for receiving raw materials of high quality at affordable cost. As stated by Lingard and Wakefield (2013) maintaining long term relationship with suppliers enables the constructor to reduce the number of suppliers for getting raw materials. As such relationships are based on mutual trust between the suppliers and constructors; chances for getting materials of lower quality reduce. Quality of material will impact on the new stadium in Perth also. In this case the supplie rs which have long term relationships with Brookfield Multiplex can be engaged with the supply chain process of the project. Engaging long term suppliers of Brookfield can improve quality of the material. Apart from building close relation with the suppliers, constructors also can request them for implementing TQM processes. Using ISO standards for quality control: Randolph, (2014) states that the primary objective of implementing quality management techniques in a project to attain satisfaction of all stakeholders. Use of ISO standards can enable organizations to implement TQM (Lingard and Wakefield, 2013). Engaging ISO registered organizations will also enable the manager of new stadium development project to get materials of high quality. Involving clients with the project: As stated by Kuntjoro, Jumahat and Salleh, (2013) the trend of engaging clients with TQM processes is becoming more popular. Shrestha, Burns and Shields, (2013) opined that successful implementation of TQM processes requires contribution of all parties associated with it. Involving both internal and external customers with the TQM process enables the project management team to meet their requirements more efficiently (Walter and Styhre, 2013). The government of Western Australia is the final customer of this project. The Government can be engaged with policy development tasks, quality checking process of construction works and raw materials. Involving the Government for quality checking and policy development tasks leads to better fulfillments of clients requirements. Sustainability and Environmental impact assessment for New Stadium development project: According to Lingard and Wakefield, (2013) necessity of environmental impact assessments is high for large construction projects as undertaking of these projects impacts severely on the environment. Goetsch and Davis, (2013) stated that development of large constructions not only degrades the quality of land or air these projects also impacts negatively on the public health also . As the consciousness on environmental degradation is increasing, undertaking project in sustainable manner enables the project manager to attain satisfaction of all customers. However it is important to implement EIA techniques at all stages of project cycle to minimize the negative impacts of activities related with project on environment (Kuntjoro, Jumahat and Salleh, 2013). Implementation of EIA can be done in few stages in a project. The project of new stadium development in Perth will be undertaken for long time. Scope of the project includes several construction works. It indicates that development of the new stadium will impact on the land and air quality of the area. As the construction works will take long time for being completed, undertaking of the project may impact on public heath also. The construction works may be interrupted at any stage of project if the environmental standards are not maintained. Implementation of EIA techniques is important to develop proper mitigation strategies (Walter and Styhre, 2013). Once the impacts are identified, it is important to develop strategies for mitigating the identified impacts of project. EIA in project cycle: Figure 2: EIA processes for construction project Pre EIA implementation stages: The pre implementation stages of EIA techniques deals with screening and scoping of the project (Randolph, 2014). At the screening phase the decision regarding requirements of EIA is taken. Screening phase of the EIA implementation process in new stadium development will also deal with identification of the approaches used for EIA implementation in the project. Second stage of the EIA implementation process in new stadium development project in Perth deals with identification of the scopes of the project. The potential impacts of a construction development project can be predicted from the findings of scope analysis (Kuntjoro, Jumahat and Salleh, 2013). Scope analysis of the stadium development project indicates that after successful, completion, the project will be able to deliver a multipurpose stadium, restaurants , entertainment centers and transportation facility . As the number of construction works is high level of environmental degradation will also be high. At this stage, the current policies of project development will be revised. According to Randolph, (2014) development identification of alternative project strategies is done on basis of scope analysis of the project. Main EIA stages: On completion of tasks related with pre EIA implementation stages, asks for main phase of EIA implementation process will start. The main phase of EIA implementation includes development of policies, execution of administration related tasks and development of project description (Walter and Styhre, 2013). In case of Perth stadium development project, the environmental policies of Australian Government will be revised. Often the constructors need to obtain permits from Government for undertaking a project. Perth stadium construction may affect health condition of the area. In the next stages of EIA implementation process, base line data about the residents of surrounding area will be established. Establishment of baseline data is important for analysis the potential impacts on heath of local people (Walter and Styhre, 2013). Sixth stage of the EIA implementation in Perth stadium development deals with evaluation of potential impacts of the project on environment of P erth and other cities. Post EIA implementation stages: The post EIA implementation stages deal with monitoring the effects of project on environment. In this stage the effectiveness of revised strategies are analyzed on basis of the results. In case of stadium development project in Perth the effects of the project will be monitored during construction of the stadium. However the effects will also be monitored while executing the tasks related with secondary construction works. In main phase of construction process some parameters regarding environmental impacts of the development project will be set. At post EIA implementation phase these parameters will be periodically measured and will also be compared with the environmental standards. On basis of the findings of this analysis, the strategies of stadium development will be revised. Tools used for identification, prediction and evaluation of environmental impacts: Identification Prediction Evaluation Checklists Checklists Modeling and simulation GIS Impact matrices Cost benefit analysis Impact matrices Impact networks Multiple criteria analysis Impact networks GIS GIS Multiple criteria analysis Modeling and simulation Table 1: Tools used for identification, prediction and evaluation of environmental impacts Phases Steps Tools Planning and identification of impacts Setting indicators Developing aims GIS Data base Expert systems Prediction and measurement of environmental impacts Assessing impacts Analyzing data Estimation of standards Data analysis models Evaluation of strategies Normalization of data Providing rankings Analysis of sensitivity GIS Table 2: Software Tools used for identification, prediction and evaluation of environmental impacts Table 1 and 2 reflects the tools used for measuring environmental parameters. The manager of new Stadium project in Perth can use various tools for indentifying the potential impacts of the construction works. The management can use tools such as impact networks, checklists and impact matrices for forecasting the negative impacts on environment. The management also can use multiple criteria analysis and statistical tools for measuring the level of environmental degradation for undertaking the project. The tools such as impact networks, checklists and impact matrices can also be used for identifying the current environmental impacts due to project activities (Randolph, 2014). Prediction of potential impacts of environmental degradation can also be done using modeling and simulation. Evaluation of the EIA activities is conducted using impact networks, checklists and impact matrices. Cost benefit analysis, multiple criteria analysis and GIS techniques are also used for this purpose (Wal ter and Styhre, 2013). Conclusion: Analysis made in this report indicates that implementation of quality management techniques is essential for new stadium development project in Perth. The analysis reflects that quality of the deliverables of this project depends on quality of raw material, quality of available equipments and skill of workers. Apart from this, effectiveness of the management policies can be considered as one of the most important factors for improving quality of the deliverables. However, in this project, TQM can be used for improving quality of the construction works. Use of TQM will enable the project manager to conduct the tasks of each stage in the project life cycle efficiently. Thus the quality of overall project will improve. The suggested ways of TQM implementation in this project are making project policies by different groups in the management team, developing project charter for scope identification and development of WBS for identifying subtasks. In this project preparation of communicati on plan is suggested for improving collaboration among the teams .Analysis made in the project also reflects that the analysis of risk and factors affecting quality of deliverables can be done by using cause and effect matrix. Statistical data can be used for improving the quality of decisions made by managers. However, use of quality management techniques can increase requirements of budget for a project. The cost effectiveness of any TQM strategy requires being analyzed before implementing within the project. The report also contains discussion on EIA techniques which can be used for measuring the negative impacts of undertaking construction projects on environment. Discussion made on the EIA techniques in this report indicates that the environmental impacts require being assessed at every stage of project cycle. Environmental standards of Australian Government can be followed to monitor level of environmental degradation due to project activities. Implementation of EIA can be don e in few stages in Perth New stadium development project. The stages are Screening of project, Scoping, Identification of policies and regulation applicable to the project, identification of permits obtained by project Considering EIA laws. The EIA implementation process also deals with providing background information and identification of potential impacts, establishing baseline standards for public health, identification of potential impacts and identification of strategies for reducing impacts .The tasks related with identification , evaluation and prediction of environmental impacts of project activities can be measured by impact networks, checklists and impact matrices, modeling and simulation, cost benefit analysis, multiple criteria analysis and GIS techniques. References: AboMoslim, S. and Russell, A. 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