Assessing the capability of construction processes to realize building designs

The capability of processes should be assessed during their development. If assessment reveals that a process is not capable of meeting design requirements, that process should be improved until reassessment indicates that it is capable. This proactive approach can radically reduce non-conformances. Existing methods of assessment depend upon the sampling of process data. Such methods are well-established and well-documented. They provide the foundation for statistical process control (SPC) and can be applied to most processes including those used in the construction of buildings. However, there are several reasons why sampling data to assess construction process capability can be extremely difficult. In this paper, the limitations of existing assessment methods are outlined. Then, a new assessment method is introduced and results from a preliminary field study are reported. Next, the key features of the new method are discussed. In conclusion, guidelines for its successful introduction are provided.