Quality management system in construction design offices: A review in the brasilian context

Abstract

The design is one of the most important parts of the construction chain. However, it is considered the main barrier for the evolution of the construction industry to achieve an industrial level. The implementation of Quality Management Systems (QMS) appears as an alternative to improve the offered products and services, since it focuses on customers’ needs, on well defined customer/supplier relationships, on developing an error prevention mechanism throughout the organization and on systematic procedures. First quality management certifications in design companies started in 1999. Nowadays, the number of design companies seeking to implement QMS is growing fast. This paper presents a review upon the design quality and the QMS in design offices, presenting the Brazilian guide and the French guide for design companies certification, as well as a new proposal of a new guide in Brazil. Conclusions show that the design offices certifications is an importat strategic factor for a productive process performance. However, the quality of the building must be a result of the common work of all organizations and actors involved: owners, designers, contractors and suppliers.