ISO 9001 Construction Benefits
Building and construction projects can be incredibly complex, incorporating many elements and what seems like armies of personnel.
Anyone who has watched the RTE production Room to Improve, particularly the recent episode involving the new RCSI building, will be only too aware that large-scale building projects can be fraught with pressure, and as we all know, pressure is one of the leading contributing factors to risk.
Managing a construction project can be like running a marathon across shifting sands; for that very reason alone, a robust Quality Management System is an invaluable asset and key to its success.
A Quality Management System is based on the tenets of ISO 9001:2015, the internationally recognised standard employed by businesses across the globe to act as a streamlined, quality-centric framework for their operational processes and systems. QMSs are used to reduce costs, increase efficiencies and improve client satisfaction and buy-in.
ISO 9001:2015 is based upon seven core principles (or pillars):
- Customer Focus
- Leadership
- Engagement of People
- Process Approach Improvement
- Evidence-Based Decision Making
- Relationship Management
It is these pillars upon which construction companies can build business and operational success stories.
1. Effective Risk-Management
Construction projects are well known for going over time and budget - Irish weather, hidden structural faults or problems, planning issues, etc. can all cause mayhem with milestones, schedules and costs. As we've seen on Room to Improve, the discovery of damp or rotten timber beams, confusion over colour palettes, and a lack of expertise in niche areas can cause significant delays or blow contingency. That's not even taking into account scenarios where the scale of a project has been miscalculated. Having the right processes in place can give project management teams - QS, architect, site manager, et al - the tools required to custom-map each individual project. Working to a process approach will ensure that no steps are missed, whilst the standard itself will help isolate the key drivers for success whilst defining the processes that underpin them. As well as mitigating against overruns, a process approach will save time and manpower.
2. Employee Engagement and Buy-In
A new clause of the revised 2015 version of ISO 9001 focuses on the central role Leadership should and must play in managing the QMS. One of the areas which it drills down into is employee engagement. The standard acts as a guide to senior management on clear, open communications and staff buy-in. Fully briefed and informed staff who are made to feel valued in an inclusive organisational team have high morale, increased job satisfaction and are more productive. Including personnel in the design, implementation, management and continuous improvement of your QMS will help improve employee/management relationships and enhance their sense of self-worth. In addition, providing employees with adequate training will ensure they have the tools to engage with the QMS and company strategy fully. ISO 9001:2015's focus on continuous improvement and process approach will ensure that processes are reviewed and improved regularly, benefiting both your employees and organisation by making it a safer and more transparent place in which to work.
3. Successful Public Tendering
In addition to the kudos your company will gain from being ISO compliant, your ISO 9001:2015 certification will also reward you by way of enhancing your responses to Public Tenders, particularly OGP, and improving your chances of achieving a higher score. Certifications in QA, Health and Safety, and IT security and Data Protection are fast-becoming prerequisites to large tenders, especially those published by Government departments and State-funded agencies. Anyone familiar with the tendering process will be aware that having an ISO 9001:2015 certification is now part of many tender pre-quals, so if your company isn't already certified or at the very least planning to become so, you might already be on the wrong side of the tender scoring system. Having an ISO certification will help your business stand out above non-certified competitors. It will also flag to your clients, existing and prospective, that you are committed to the principles of consistency and quality standards in your business affairs.
4. Legal and Regulatory Compliance
ISO 9001:2015 requires organisations to both identify and follow all statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to their industry and the services they offer or products they sell. For a construction firm, being ISO 9001 compliant would kill two birds with one certification as the standard would bring them in line with government and EU legislation and regulations.
5. Effective Supply Chain Management
In an industry like construction, safety is paramount, and if your company is on the project as part of a consortium, you need to be sure that your partners share your safety standards. It is, therefore, crucial for your employee safety and business reputation that quality of service is both guaranteed and maintained.
ISO 9001 QMS
Through its principle of relationship management, ISO 9001 gives you tools to evaluate supplier performance. By utilising the standard, construction firms can avail of a fair and transparent system of assessing the success of their vendor relations. In addition, ISO 9001 can help your business gain a competitive edge through streamlined processes and tight risk mitigation.
CGBC ISO 9001 Consutlants
CG Business Consulting has both the breadth and depth of knowledge and expertise in the Construction space to take your company successfully through the stages of ISO certification through to audit and accreditation. We are adept in the areas of Quality, Health and safety, and as Ireland’s leading ISO Consulting firm, we are well-positioned to ensure your company has a seamless and problem-free transition into ISO 9001:2015 and QMS. Further, as the first company in Ireland to launch an ISO 45001 Awareness Training Course, we can walk your employees through the Workplace Health and Safety certification within a guaranteed twelve-week period.
For more information on how CG Business Consulting can help your construction company to become ISO compliant, pick up the phone and give us a call on 01 620 4121.
