Abstract:
The term Quality Assurance is an important subject matter in the construction industry in Ethiopia. The industry has challenged with serious Quality Assurance issues. The stakeholders of the industry (that is clients, consultants, contractors, and Regulatory Body) collectively play a vital role in addressing the challenges of the quality assurance in the industry. In light of these, this study aimed at Quality Assurance Management Practices for public construction projects in the case of Bahir city. In the undertaking of this, the research investigates current and existing quality assurance methods, techniques, and practices, determine the Major factors that affect QA Management practices, to explore mechanisms to improve QA management practices in and prepare a conceptual framework for public construction projects in Bahir Dar City. Based on this, the researcher undertook a critical literature review of the subject of the study. The survey questionnaires developed based on the findings of the literature review and expert opinions on the topic, conduct interviews, and case study for three projects would undertake. The Questionnaires administered to the respondents (Client, Consultants, Contractors, and Regulatory Body in Bahir dar) which were directly involved for the 26 public construction projects. A descriptive analysis used involving the use of Relative Important Index (RII) of the various Major factors of QA, Techniques used for QA, and Improving Mechanisms identified from the literature. The findings of the study point out to the fact that, following instructions standards, and codes, direct supervision, laboratory experiment, and inspection were major techniques for QA management practices. Project type and complexity, design, contract, material, labor, and equipment were Major factors that affect QA management practices, and management commitment, reduce miscommunication, review/analysis, the satisfaction of contract specification and well-defined roles and responsibilities were improving mechanisms for QA management practices for public construction projects in Bahir Dar City.