The Need for Value Analysis and Planning for Effective Quality Control Technology Decision-Making

Construction quality directly impacts overall project and built product performance. A means of ensuring effective investment in quality control mechanisms, therefore, can directly benefit the construction industry. Prior to the introduction of emerging inspection technologies such as laser scanners and embedded sensors, the decision of how to best assess and control the quality of construction was simplified by the limited range, amount, and applicability of existing quality control tools. However, as the introduction of advanced sensing technologies improves the number, size, cost, and coverage of available tools, and increases the amount and detail of available quality-related information, the decision-making considerations for quality control investment become less straightforward. The greater coverage and high up-front costs that characterize emerging inspection technologies mean that a large amount of quality-relat ed information can be generated from construction sites, but with an ever-present concern for the benefits resulting from these cost outlays. As new technologies appear, and alter the considerations for decisions about inspection, it is imperative to formalize the reasoning behind quality control resource allocation and set the rules for new entries to the quality control scene. This paper demonstrates the need for improved quality control decision-making, and outlines a framework of site analysis, value analysis, and strategic technology deployment to address this need. Examples of traditional and emerging inspection methods demonstrate essential considerations for the effective implementation of a portfolio of quality control tools, and highlight the need for this analysis framework.