Author : A. S. Lawal

The cost of running operations and executing project in developing country is high partly due to wastes that could be eliminated through effective implementation of quality tools. There are layers of wastes that increases time required to execute tasks from tender stage to contract acquisition. The study covered specific improvement initiatives implemented in a local Oil and Gas Project. It covered activities in fabrication and assembly plants in one of the under developed country. There were visits and interactions with staff of the organizations in the area where operational and project data was collected and also review their existing method in use. A data collection plan was developed in conjunction with checklist to guide the process. Both documents were designed so that the personnel responding to questions were able to identify specific issues encountered in their operations, the type of quality intervention applied and the results of the intervention. Quality review processes were initiated to resolve the problems identified. Root Cause Analysis (RCA) was performed by utilizing the “5 Why Analysis” Root Cause Method. The findings revealed that, there is significant relationship between quality intervention and project execution leading to an overall reduction in waste and thus improving compliance products and services, customer satisfaction and profitability. The involvement and commitment of top management is essential for the intervention to be successful. Hence, the study further reveals that the tools of Quality can be adapted to the Local environment and implemented. Finally, the study demonstrated that quality intervention can be used to solve the problems highlighted.

Keywords: Quality, Waste, Fabrication, Assembly, Maintenance, Manufacturing