Quality Management on Pipeline Projects—Observations from an Owner

Everyone is interested in “quality” on their pipeline project. But what is “quality”? How can it be incorporated into large diameter pipeline projects? A review of years of pipeline projects has resulted in common overlooked and misunderstood items in design and construction, which may be arrested and reduced with the incorporation of quality management procedures. Methods of quality management incorporation are discussed, which include top-to-bottom organization quality (management) as well as bottom-to-top organization quality (execution). Inexperience of design/construction personnel is also discussed, with suggestions provided as how to maintain standards while concurrently introducing quality management concepts to a new generation. Also, the concepts of “pre-project,” “project,” and “post-project” quality management are investigated. Finally, common barriers to incorporation of quality management are reviewed along with some suggestions for their mollification.