1. This study analyzes the quality assurance mechanisms used during the architectural design phase of construction projects in Egypt, using a case study of an administrative building. 2. It identifies deficiencies in the existing mechanisms that can negatively impact project timelines and costs. 3. The study develops recommendations to evaluate and modify the quality assurance mechanism to make it more effective, such as using BIM for design documents and allowing more review time.

1. FACULTY OF ENGINEERING - AIN SHAMS UNIVERSITY
ARCHITECTURAL DEPARTMENT
MASTERE OF ENGINEERING IN ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS
MANAGEMENT
2015
Summary for
Applied Research to evaluate the
quality assurance method during the
architectural design phase
Case study : an administrative building at Smart Village
Presented by :Supervisor:
Architect / Mohamed Sherif HassanProf. DR. / Akram Farouk
Professor at Department of Architecture -
Faculty of Engineering - Ain Shams
University.

2. Introduction and research problem:
Large projects require huge budgets, a large amount of resources and time
to implement them, which makes them - worthier than others- in a need to take
advantage of the application of modern science of projects management to
achieve a balance between time, cost and quality. The role of projects
management in construction projects appears in what we call “project
management”, which have within it different departments from multiple
disciplines integrate and cooperate with each other to ensure the success of the
project.
Many different tasks are required from each of the different departments of
the project throughout the stages of the implementation of the project (starting
from studies and strategies stage until the final delivery and warranty). One of the
most important departments of these is the department of quality management,
which represents the guarantor – in a practical and scientific way - to execute the
project with the appearance and the performance planned in advance. Quality
have four phases within the project: quality of design, quality of implementation,
performance quality and continuity of quality.
Multiple mechanisms are used for quality assurance during the design
stage as the existence of a written guide to the requirements of quality at every
stage and a checklist to review the output of the stage. In spite of the existence
and applying of these methods in most of the institutions in the "quality of
design" phase to ensure the quality and coordinate between the various
disciplines involved in the design process, but there are still deficiencies in
these mechanisms. Which adversely affect the cost and time required to
implement the project.
Objective:
This research aims to study and analyze the quality assurance mechanism
used in the design phase. And then come up with proposals to evaluate and
modify the mechanism to be more effective in ensuring the quality of the output
of this stage - which is one of the most sensitive phases of the project and has a
great impact on the subsequent stages -. This was done by analyzing a case
study of an administrative buildings at Sixth of October City.

3. Methodology:
The study splitted in this paper into two parts: First, the theoretical study
in the first three chapters. Second, the field study in the fourth and fifth
chapters. Chapter VI then review the findings and recommendations of the
study, as follows:
1. Introduction for the research and research problem
2. Review of the concept of quality and its development down to the
concept of total quality management and using it in architectural
projects
3. Design phase management and quality control during the design
process
4. Poll for Quality Assurance mechanisms currently used in the design
stage in some institutes and measure application of the concept of
total quality management
5. Analyze and identify the problems with the case study with
proposed solutions
6. Presentation for the results and recommendations
Results and recommendations:
First, Results:
1) A detailed checklist to review the outputs during the design phase was
designed.
2) Giving enough time to review and audit the documents - during the
design phase - reduces the percentage of the errors that will appear after.
3) Using recent programs (example BIM) for preparing design documents
helps a lot for better quality outputs and better product quality at the end.

4. Second, Recommendations:
Recommendations to the
government and lawmakers
Recommendations for
institutions and individuals
General recommendations
It is recommended to include
plans for the rest of the
disciplines involved, and not
only the architectural and
structural for the documents
required to obtain licenses for the
building.
Raising awareness among
individuals and institutions with
the importance of quality and
state the effect of the culture of
improvement and continuous
development .
Constantly strive to develop the
mechanisms of action at
institutions, specially quality
assurance tools to catchup with
the rapid development of
technology in the world.
Providing certified / subsidized
courses for students and
graduates in the field of quality
and give preference in
appointment to the quality
departments in the Government
to whom possess them.
Institutions should concern for
individuals (workers) and direct
an enough amount of its
investments to train them and
improve their efficiency.
Establishing a culture of quality
among all employees of the
institution is a must.
Putting a cash incentive for
institutions (discount on taxes -
Awards), which implement
projects beyond the quality
standards set by the government,
as well as vice versa.
Giving attention to social aspects
for workers, specially motivation
and activities. because they have
a significant impact on the
relationship between workers
and their belonging to the
institution.
It is preferable for the designer
consultant to be positioned in
between the project manager and
the rest of the consultants, to
ensure architectural product
quality.
Institutions should not be
satisfied only with financial
performance and client
satisfaction and neglect
relationship between workers
and production systems
Indicators. Because they have a
long term effect on continuity
and improving for the current
quality level.
For future studies it is
recommended to do an applied
research to design a BIM
template with all quality
standards within to lead to more
qualified output compared to
usual CAD system.