The use of Total Quality Management (TQM) concepts in public sector infrastructure project delivery
Date
2016
Authors
Khomela, Emmanuel Marang
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Abstract
South African public sector clients use a variety of Total Quality Management (TQM) practice
in infrastructure project delivery. However, there is a dearth of information on the impact of
TQM on these projects. The three main drivers of public projects delivery are time, cost and
quality. In many instances, the quality of the work is lacking and this in return hamper service
delivery and consequently cost and time overruns are experienced. Furthermore, The public
sector in the South African construction industry is the main employer of consultants,
contractors and professionals in the construction fraternity, could lead from the front by bring
the culture of quality in the construction industry.
The study is investigating the level of TQM adoption in the public sector and is motivated by
the limited academic research that has been done locally in TQM with respect to construction
industry, especially from the client’s perspective. Internationally there have been extensive
studies that were conducted on the subject. In general, there are ten elements of TQM, if
practiced, there is an opportunity for positive results which can be attained both in short and
long term basis.
A questionnaire was used to collect the qualitative data, from public sector engineers and
technicians, Consulting engineers and Contractor, which is then analysed using a range of
statistical techniques, tables and graphs.
In general, TQM concepts are used in the South African public sector infrastructure projects.
There public sector should work towards quality management certifications, which will
translate into standardised quality process. TQM can only be achieved if there are already
process in place.
Keywords TQM, Infrastructure projects, Project management, Service delivery Public sector,
South Africa
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built
Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Building, 2016
Keywords
Citation
Khomela, Emmanuel Marang (2016) The use of Total Quality Management (TQM) concepts in public sector infrastructure project delivery, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, < http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/22430>