QUALITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN THE PALESTINIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to investigate the implementation of project quality management practices and using computer software in supporting the projects management by public owners and contractors in the Gaza Strip. This study has been conducted by means of a survey questionnaire. Seventy-three questionnaires were distributed to contractors and twenty-five questionnaires for public owners. Sixty questionnaires from contractors and twenty-three questionnaires from public owners were received and analyzed. The results indicate that project quality management tools and techniques are fairly used among contractors and owners. Furthermore, the use of computer soft-ware in scheduling and administrative issues is satisfactorily used by both owners and contractors. However, the computers software for cost estimate and cost control is not widely used. The results of this study recommended that there is a need to establish computer models for cost estimate and cost control which takes into consideration the local trends and methodologies to achieve improvement in this area. Finally, the contractors have to make investment in improving the abilities of their staff for best use of computer based applications for cost estimate and cost control techniques.