TY - CONF TI - The Effectiveness of Internal Quality Audits on ISO 9000 Quality Management Systems in the Construction Sector C1 - Singapore, Singapore C3 - 9th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction PY - 2001 AU - Goh, Choon Kwee AU - Chng, Grace Siew Tuan AU - Nashila, Abas Binte AU - Lenihan, Donal AD - Senior Quantity Surveyor, Cost Control & Contracts Management, KPK Quantity Surveyors, Singapore AD - Marketing Officer, Building and Construction Authority, Singapore AD - Clerk-of-Works, Housing and Development Board, Singapore AD - Lecturer, Faculty of the Constructed Environment, RMIT University, Melbourne ED - Ballard, Glenn ED - Chua, David AB - This paper examines the effectiveness, within the construction sector, of the Internal Quality Audit (IQA) and its contribution to Quality Management System (QMS) based on the ISO 9000 Certification Scheme. Once a company has obtained ISO Certification the IQA is amongst the requirements specified in the ISO Standards that must be maintained. However, the way the IQA is conducted has an effect on its contribution to the QMS. This specifically includes company risk management and compliance with contractual obligations. A literature review establishes the relationship between the QMS, ISO implementation and the auditing system. The four indicators of an effective IQA are identified. These indicators are then be used as a basis to measure effectiveness of IQAs when applied to construction. This paper draws on the findings of recently conducted case studies conducted on the use of IQAs in the construction industry in Singapore. The key finding is that IQAs are under utilized in terms of a measure of the effectiveness of the QMS and also as a measure of demonstrating compliance with contractual obligations. The recommendations arising from this research fall into two categories. The first category relates to the need to increase the frequency of conducting IQAs in order that there is adequate evidence of implementation of the QMS for the purpose of risk minimization, third party audits and compliance with contractual obligations. The second area is the need to train and educate staff to understand the role and contribution of the IQA to the overall QMS process. KW - Quality Management Systems KW - Quality Assurance KW - Internal Quality Audits KW - ISO 9000 Certification PB - T2 - 9th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 2001/08/06 CY - Singapore, Singapore L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/142/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/142 N1 - Export Date: 25 April 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER -