Abstract:
In today' changing environment, quality is the key to an organisation's success
Many construction organisations have turn to adopt quality as a reliable management tool With this perspective, the research problem is articulated for this study as follows: How does the Sri Lankan construction contractors identify and utilize quality m their organisations . The research
methodology adopted for this study was qualitative, within which case studies were used to
investigate the research question. The primary data collection technique used in the case studies
was semi structured interviews. Content analysis and cognitive mapping techniques were used to
analyze primary data. The study identified several causes for poor construction quality and
current practice of quality planning. The ISO 9000 quality’ management system ,s the most widely
practicing or almost only system practicing in construction organisations, as it is a mandatory
requirement acted by the ICTAD (Institute for Construction Training and Development). It was
also identified that Sri Lankan construction industry is less exposed to new quality approaches
such as total quality management, six sigma and benchmarking and etc. Several prerequisites for
successful implementation of strategic quality planning in Sri Lankan context are also proposed
including a strategic quality framework for construction organisations.
