Implementing a Digital Mobile Device to Improve Quality in a Construction Company Key factors and implications with an implementation

Abstract

In order to increase the quality standard and improve work methods in construction companies a digital mobile device have been developed, called The Tool. The implementation of the device have the main purpose of quality documentation and tracking quality issues on a working site. Since some parts of the construction sector have shown tendencies of being a conservative sector, restrictive to change, the implementation of The Tool have had some implications. This master thesis aims to investigate how The Tool can help assist in the development of the quality work in the Case Company and what key factors that needs to be considered in the implementation of The Tool to address the implications. Moreover, the current quality situation and quality culture within the Case Company will be studied to see if the prerequisites for a digital mobile device are met. The benefits and opportunities, as well as shortcomings, for The Tool to work as a quality improvement device will be investigated. In order to answer the problem statement and research questions a qualitative and abductive study have been conducted. The case studies with interviews have been the foundation of the empirical study while the theoretical study focused primarily on what factor affect the quality work of an organization and how an implementation affect the current work situation. The study shows that the current level of quality awareness in the Case Company are not sufficient enough to start using The Tool daily. The ongoing process with inspection work in The Tool and quality work in the end phase of a project are satisfactory and developing. The personal benefits and the long term benefits with The Tool needs to be addressed and communicated more clearly during implementation and resources needs to be allocated to push the usage and development forward. The Case Company have implemented The Tool as a device, and not as a support to a value creating quality work.