Abstract:
The study assessed the total quality management practices on construction projects in Osun State, Nigeria with a view to determine the causes of project failure The various techniques of quality assurance and management control being adopted by construction firms in Osun state were evaluated, while the extent of adoption of total quality management practices by construction firms in the state were assessed. The challenges being encountered by the contractors during project execution were x-rayed alongside the general causes of building failure. The professionals from ministry of works and housing, the contractors and the direct users of the projects in the study area were duly considered. The population of the study is five hundred and thirty four (534). To comprehensively undertake the research; one hundred and forty eight (148) copies of questionnaire were administered by using Yaro Yamani method of sample size determination. The total number of usable responses received for the analyses was ninety two (92), making 62%. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that failure to adopt total quality management practices measures increases project failure. It also revealed that the challenges being encountered by contractors during project execution are the potential barriers to the attainment of project quality among construction firms. However the most highly ranked of the challenges was lack of reward and recognition of construction workers (3.23). It also revealed that the major causes of building collapse was construction process being handled by unqualified and non professionals (3.22) and possession of approved drawing without compliance (3.17). It has been concluded that lack of quality due to deficient construction quality management has resulted in the failure of buildings. Application and entrenchment of quality management technique has been recommended for managers of various construction firms to enhance the quality of projects
