scope:

Scope and purpose

This document provides guidance for the development and implementation of a quality system for concrete construction projects. It is based on the ISO 9000-1994 Quality Systems Standards requirements. With the exception of management responsibility and servicing, all elements of ISO 9001 are mentioned briefly. Where this document uses the word "should," the ISO standard uses "shall," making these requirements mandatory. This document does not establish project work relationships. The project contract documents define the owner/project team relationship and govern the performance of these parties through the duration of the project. This document is a management tool intended to facilitate successful interaction among project team members.

This guide will accommodate projects that vary in size, complexity, and number of organizations involved. On a large project, all major organizations involved should develop a quality plan with appropriate elements. On a small project, a single overall quality plan and the contract documents can suffice.

Since the publication of ACI 121R-98, the ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9000-1994, which was the basis of the document, has been revised. The latest revision is ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001-2000. The 20 paragraphs have been restructured into five paragraphs. The ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001-2000 standard now follows a "process approach." The process approach is a system methodology that recognizes that processes and their interactions are the keys to establishing a quality management system.

The new standard (ANSI/ISO/ASQ ISO Q9001-2000) consists of five interrelated elements that emphasize the process approach. The new standard is driven by continual improvement. They are: 4.0, Quality Management System; 5.0, Management Responsibility; 6.0, Resource Management; 7.0, Product Realization; and 8.0, Measurement, Analysis, and Improvement. Exclusions are still permitted, for example, if you do not do design, it can be excluded. More emphasis is placed on the measurement, analysis, and improvement process.

The need to establish documented procedures has been reduced to six specific references that are: 4.2.3, Control of Documents; 4.2.4, Control of Records; 8.2.2, Internal Audit; 8.3, Control of Nonconforming Product; 8.5.2, Corrective Action; and 8.5.3, Preventative Action. The organization can rely on quality records to demonstrate that some action has been completed.

A key terminology change from "supplier" to "organization" when speaking of the firm seeking certification has been implemented in ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001-2000. The term "suppliers" is still used in ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001-2000. Its meaning is now subcontractors to the organization. The terminology used in ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001-2000 should not be confused with the terminology used in ACI 121R-04. The terminology used in ACI 121R-04 is different. Some terms used in ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001-2000 have a meaning different from that of terms used in ACI 121R-04. The terminology is defined in Section 1.2.

Whereas ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001-2000 has been reformatted, the basic requirements of ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001-1994 are now contained in Section 7.0 of the new standard.

The guidance contained in ACI 121R-04 provides the owner with steps necessary to ensure development and implementation of a successful quality system.