The ASQ Design and Construction Division has initiated an effort to define a Body of Knowledge for Design Quality. For many years, stakeholders in the construction industry have been modernizing the practice of construction quality, incorporating the modern science learned from manufacturing applications. However, practices in design quality have often remained static, primarily relying on inspection of hard copy plans sheets at certain key milestones in the design development. By advancing an improved understanding of professional methods in design quality, ASQ hopes to provide design industry quality professionals with a better approach to evaluating work at any point in progress, using any technology or platform appropriate for the project. Because engineering and architectural design is both a science and an art, the body of knowledge required to competently evaluate its quality is essential. The effort will be more than worthwhile, given the increasing cost of errors in both choosing and communicating design characteristics, and the apparent decrease of seasoned design professionals with construction experience.
Ray Crawford is the Director of Quality for both PB Construction Services and the PB Infrastructure Company. He is also the Environmental Coordinator for the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Program for PB Americas. He is responsible for coordinating the continued certification for all U.S.-based PB companies and assisting in certification efforts for other companies not yet certified for both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Ray has extensive training and training development experience at all levels to include development of internal quality and environmental auditor training programs as well as new employee orientations for both programs. He has developed and taught Team Quality Improvement Programs for both internal office as well as project teams. He has assisted in developing QA/QC Plans for large design and construction projects and is currently assisting in the development of a workflow program for automated project development and execution.
Mr Crawford holds a Masters of Science in Management (ORSA), Naval Postgraduate School; Bachelor of Science in Engineering, United States Military Academy (USMA), West Point.