Quality Management System vs. Completions System: Do You Need Both in EPC Construction Projects?

For Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects, meticulous planning and execution are non-negotiable. There’s an endless number of moving pieces and complex work activities that must be accounted for, from MIG welding and tower crane assembly to industrial coatings and inspections. Every part must be expertly implemented to avoid rework, unplanned downtime, or some other quality mishap.??

When execution goes sideways, the cost of poor work quality can really add up. That’s why the right work execution management system is so important. In particular, two systems stand out for their ability to manage work activities: the Quality Management System (QMS) and the Completions System.??

You’ve probably heard of each of these systems before, at least once or twice. You might have even considered them as somewhat interchangeable. But should your project be using one or both of these systems? The truth is, both systems are important because they operate in distinct domains. In this article, we explore the use cases, benefits, and differentiators between a QMS and a Completions System—and why you might actually need both.?

What Is A Quality Management System (QMS)??

The Quality Management System (QMS) is the foundation for ensuring that your project meets every quality standard. It ensures that every work procedure is not just a suggestion, but that it is actually followed rigorously—even in remote, offline field environments.?

The core focus of a QMS is to document and enforce standards across the entirety of the project lifecycle in line with the principles of ISO 9000/9001. For many projects, it replaces the countless paper check sheets that are completed after every work activity. Instead, it creates streamlined digital reports that automatically flag when work was not conducted according to specification. This saves QA/QC personnel hours of time every single day.?

Another key element of a QMS is that it integrates QA/QC into task execution. This means that as a worker completes a task, quality checkpoints are completed as part of the work process. This helps to ensure the quality info is actually accurate, and not just “pencil whipping” to complete checklists long after the work was actually completed.??

Use Cases?

• Defining Quality Objectives and Standards: QMS begins by establishing clear and measurable quality objectives and standards tailored to the specific project requirements. It does this by helping projects create new procedures where none previously existed, or transforming existing procedures into intuitive digital workflows for workers to follow.?
• Implementing Processes and Procedures: Robust processes and procedures are put in place to govern quality control and assurance activities. This involves setting up checkpoints, protocols, and methodologies to ensure consistency and reliability. The right QMS incorporates each of these into a seamless digital workflow.?
• Conducting Inspections and Tests: Regular inspections and tests are conducted at various stages of the project to verify compliance with established standards. This proactive approach allows for early detection and rectification of any deviations or deficiencies.?
• Identifying and Rectifying Quality Issues: Inevitably, quality issues may arise during the course of the project. A QMS is equipped to swiftly identify these issues, determine root causes through field data, and assist in implementing corrective actions to mitigate risk and maximize productivity.?
• Continuous Improvement: A QMS is not static; it is a dynamic system that thrives on continuous improvement. Lessons learned from past projects, feedback mechanisms, and technological advancements are leveraged to refine processes, optimize workflows, and elevate overall quality performance.?

Benefits?

• Prevention of Rework: By proactively ensuring that workers follow procedure, QMS minimizes the occurrence of defects and rework, improving productivity.?
• Workforce Training:? QMS helps train new workers on site procedures by guiding them through each step of a work process, and documenting that workers performed each step correctly.??
• Enhancement of Project Safety and Performance: Rigorous adherence to quality standards inherently fosters a safer working environment and enhances the overall performance and reliability of project deliverables.?
• Increased Client Satisfaction: Consistent delivery of high-quality work fosters trust and satisfaction among clients, paving the way for enduring relationships and repeat business.?
• Mitigation of Legal and Financial Risks: Poor quality can have far-reaching consequences, including legal liabilities, financial repercussions, and hits to your company’s reputation. A QMS ensures that you comply with regulatory requirements and contractual obligations.?

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QMS Examples?

A few examples of QMS’s with a specialty in construction include: Cumulus QMS, digiQC, and others.?

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What Is A Completions System??

While a QMS focuses on maintaining quality throughout the project lifecycle, the Completions System is dedicated to the tracking and management of specific tasks, milestones, and deliverables to ensure timely and successful project completion.?

The primary focus of a Completions System is to oversee the intricate web of activities and milestones that culminate in the successful completion of the project. From inception to handover, every step is meticulously planned, monitored, and executed to ensure alignment with project objectives and timelines. It is a Project Manager’s best friend.?

Use Cases?

• Breaking Down the Project: The Completions System begins by dissecting the project into manageable tasks and sub-tasks, each with clearly defined objectives, responsibilities, and deadlines.?
• Assigning Responsibilities and Deadlines: Once tasks are identified, responsibilities are assigned to the relevant stakeholders, along with realistic deadlines. Clear communication and accountability are paramount to ensure seamless execution.?
• Monitoring Progress and Completion Status: Continuous monitoring and tracking of task progress and completion status are essential to identify any bottlenecks, delays, or deviations from the project schedule. Real-time visibility enables prompt intervention and course correction.?
• Identifying and Addressing Delays: Despite meticulous planning, delays and disruptions may occur due to various factors. The Completions System is equipped to identify these delays promptly, analyze root causes, and implement corrective actions to minimize their impact on project timelines.?
• Documentation Preparation: Comprehensive documentation is prepared throughout the project lifecycle to capture critical milestones, approvals, and deliverables. This documentation serves as a testament to the completion of work and facilitates seamless handover to the client upon project completion.?

Benefits?

• Improved Project Visibility and Control: The Completions System provides stakeholders with real-time visibility into project progress, enabling informed decision-making and effective resource allocation.?
• Timely Completion of Tasks: By rigorously tracking deadlines and milestones, the Completions System ensures that tasks are completed on time, thereby preventing schedule slippage and minimizing project delays.?
• Enhanced Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication and collaboration among project stakeholders are facilitated through the Completions System, fostering a cohesive team environment and mitigating the risk of miscommunication or misunderstandings.?
• Efficient Handover: As the project nears completion, the Completions System streamlines the handover process by ensuring that all documentation and deliverables are in order, facilitating a smooth transition to the client.?

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Completions System Examples?

A few examples of Completions Systems with a specialty in construction include: HUB2/GoTechnology, Hexagon, Inspectivity, among others.??

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Key Differences: Bridging the Gap Between Quality and Completion?

While both the QMS and the Completions System are indispensable components of construction projects, they should be used for different purposes. Understanding the key differences between these systems is important for ensuring that you are getting all the benefits out of each system.?

• Scope: QMS encompasses all aspects of quality management throughout the project lifecycle, from planning to execution to handover. In contrast, the Completions System focuses specifically on tracking and managing the completion of tasks, milestones, and deliverables within the project scope.?
• Goal: The primary goal of QMS is to achieve and maintain the highest standards of quality throughout the project, thereby ensuring that the end product meets or exceeds client expectations. On the other hand, the Completions System is geared towards ensuring that tasks are completed on time and within budget, thereby facilitating the timely delivery of the project.?
• Activities: QMS activities revolve around defining quality objectives, implementing processes and procedures, conducting inspections and tests, identifying and rectifying quality issues, and continuously improving quality processes. In contrast, the Completions System is focused on breaking down the project, assigning responsibilities and deadlines, monitoring progress, identifying and addressing delays, and preparing documentation to demonstrate work completion.?

In essence, while QMS ensures that the project is built right by maintaining stringent quality standards, the Completions System ensures that it is built on time and within budget by keeping track of task completions. Together, these systems form the backbone of successful EPC construction projects, working in tandem to deliver high-quality projects efficiently.?

Conclusion?

In the dynamic landscape of the construction industry, success hinges on a delicate balance between quality and completion. Just because something is done, doesn’t mean that it was done right.?

By leveraging the synergies between Quality Management System (QMS) and the Completions System, construction leaders can ensure that all work is done right the first time, every time.??

To get started with your quality journey, schedule a demo of the Cumulus QMS today.??