Abstract: . . .  do business and how they can improve. Using ISO 9000 as a framework for improvement can help contractors position themselves to proactively face future challenges. . Page 5 14 An idle crew costs a lot more than the time spent on effec- tive planning. ISO 9000 To avoid making costly mistakes, bids should be reviewed and planned by a cross-functional team. Foremen are able to have input on the materials and hardware to plan and to identify opportunities to reduce labor by modifying the design or identifying . . .
. . .  iso 9000 Page 1 ISO 9000 : Building Operational Performance Through Quality Management Lindsay Jackson Nichols EXECUTIVE SUMMARY More and more owners are requiring contractors and suppliers on construction projects to obtain ISO 9000 registration. The U.S. government plans to limit . . .
. . .  industries. THE GOOD NEWS FOR CONTRACTORS Meeting these challenges in an effective ISO 9000 program requires forethought and planning. But it is the forethought and planning that makes the ISO 9000 process worth the effort and can enhance a company's operational effectiveness. In particular, a quality management program can improve contract review and design control. ISO 9000 Meeting the contract review requirements of ISO 9000 in a construction environment begins with the estimating process and extends . . .
. . .  contractors can incorporate into more effective purchasing include the implementation of a supplier and subcontractor monitoring system. The performance (or lack of it) of suppliers and subs can make or break a job. This data can be used to leverage price and performance for the future. Another practice for effective purchasing is buying in larger quantities to improve buying power with suppliers. Contractors can combine material requirements when the same components are used on different jobs. Some contractors . . .
. . .  field to provide input/feedback on what standard components to buy based on ease of use and low waste. PROCESS CONTROL, NONCONFORMANCES,AND CORRECTIVE AND PREVENTIVE ACTIONS It has been estimated that up to 30 per cent of field labor time is wasted through inefficiencies. The best way to eliminate this is by effective project planning. Planning begins during the estimating process. Some practices that contractors have incorporated into more effective project planning include holding an effective . . .
. . .  labor costs. Contractors can work with the customer to get approval for substitute materials and re- sequencing of activities to save costs. Effective use of such techniques can reduce project cost, shorten the project duration, and improve project quality. Customers will place a value on this type of effort. PURCHASING AND SUBCONTRACTOR CONTROL Materials make up a substantial portion of the overall project cost. Savings on materials go directly to the bottom line. Practices that contractors can . . .
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