Inspection and Test Plans in Construction Quality Management

Anyone who has worked in the construction industry for long enough probably has a few stories about moments where everything just goes terribly wrong. Whether it’s a small but time-consuming fix, or a complete tear-down and start again, mistakes on site can be as frustrating as they are costly.

It is for this reason that an increasing number of Australian construction businesses, of all sizes, are putting their quality management systems under the microscope. Compliance with ISO 9001, the International Standard for quality management has even become required for construction businesses to tender for some government contracts.

Thankfully, inspection and test plans (ITPs) are making quality management easier for construction businesses.

Below we outline what role an inspection and test plan can play in your quality management system, and discuss why compliance with ISO 9001 is becoming increasingly important for all kinds of businesses.

What is an Inspection and Test Plan (ITP)?

An inspection and test plan sets out when, what and how you will conduct quality inspections throughout the duration of the project. Usually prepared by a quality engineer in bigger businesses, ITPs are designed to ensure you are regularly and consistently analysing the quality of your build at its most critical points.

Although they may sound the same as checklists, they are not. Inspection and test plans are roadmaps as to how, what and when checks should be conducted. It’s useful to remember the common catch-cry in the compliance industry – “quality should be checked by checked checkers.”

This is why inspection and test plans are often used to satisfy the criteria set out in the international standard for quality management, ISO 9001.

What are the Benefits of an Inspection and Test Plan?

Inspection and test plans are your safety net against costly mistakes. They are a simple but effective way to ensure issues are identified and rectified as soon as possible, and to deliver quality work on time and on budget.

However, inspection and test plans form just one part of your quality management system.

The unfortunate reality for construction industry workers is that mistakes on site can cause even more serious problems than budget blowouts.

In May 2016 two Melbourne apartment towers were found to contain flammable cladding, capable of fuelling a “ferocious and fast-moving blaze.” The same material contributed to an apartment fire in Docklands in November 2014.

Scott Williams, the Chief Executive of the Fire Protection Association Australia, says the issue poses great risk to residents.

“Allowing non-compliance to remain doesn’t send the right message to the industry about appropriate professional behaviour,” he said.

“This is just one element of the building – the cladding. It begs the question, what other building materials may be non-compliant? It’s frightening,” he said.

Construction businesses that implement a quality management system compliant with ISO 9001 can safeguard themselves against poor quality work and even more serious incidents, like these.

How Do I Use an Inspection and Test Plan in My Quality Management System?

Effective inspection and test plans satisfy a number of criteria, including:

1. Listing task inspections and time and date of completion
2. Listing milestone inspections
3. Including reference documents
4. Noting individual responsibilities
5. Inviting and noting client witnesses

For more detailed information on how to write your own inspection and test plan, you can visit our article here.

It’s clear that inspection and test plans play an important role in your wider quality management system.

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