Factors Affecting Quality in the Design Phase: An Evidence from the Construction Industry in United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The objective of this research is to identify the factors affecting quality in the design phase of building construction projects in the United Arab Emirates. Based on the intensive and extensive literature search, the researcher developed the questionnaire addressing the key quality parameters while interviewing several project managers handling prestigious projects in UAE. Sets of data were collected from the Project managers handling construction projects in the UAE in context to the quality in the design phase and relevant contributing factors, such as cooperation level of design professionals, educational level, organizational practices, understanding of quality standards and compliance to local and international standards. By analyzing the response, the researchers have summarized that selected companies in the UAE region are committed towards continuous improvement in quality in the design phase by implementing quality as the corporate policy, senior management commitment towards continuous improvement towards excellence in the quality, best communication channels among team members and designers of different domains, focus on developing skills, providing training to the design team with the latest design techniques, accessibility of project related technical documents and project specifications to  all team members and system of archiving and circulating past project, s best practices and lessons learned at current projects.