--- title: "Control cycle; quality control factors" subject: "Project Engineering" chapter: 4 key: "semester_7/project_engineering:control-cycle-quality-control-factors" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/control-cycle-quality-control-factors site: BCT Engineering --- # Control cycle; quality control factors Project Engineering · Chapter 4: Project Implementation and Controlling - Asked in: 2075 Asoj, 8 marks; 2074 Chaitra, 4+4 marks (asked 2 times) - Video: [How to Set up Quality within the Project?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69dLIRFBFpw) — Project Booster - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/control-cycle-quality-control-factors - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/project_engineering/chapter-4 ## Question Explain the project control cycle and write the factors to be considered during quality control of a project. ## Short answer The project control cycle is plan, measure, compare, analyse, correct, and update, repeated with feedback. Quality control factors include specifications, material testing, workmanship, equipment, inspection, supervision, documentation, site conditions, time/cost pressure, and corrective action. ## Answer #### Project control cycle The project control cycle is the repeated process of planning, measuring, comparing, analysing and correcting that keeps the project on its time, cost and quality targets. The arrow from box 5 back to box 1 is the feedback: the plan is updated and the cycle starts again. ```text +--------------+ +------------------+ | 1 Plan: | | 2 Implement and | | baseline of |---->| measure actual | | time, cost, | | progress | | quality | +--------+---------+ +------^-------+ | | v +------+-------+ +------------------+ | 5 Take | | 3 Compare actual | | corrective | | with plan and | | action / | | find variance | | re-plan | +--------+---------+ +------^-------+ | | v | +------------------+ +-------------| 4 Analyse causes | | and decide | +------------------+ ``` 1. **Set the baseline plan:** approved scope, schedule, budget and quality standards. 2. **Measure progress:** record the actual work done, cost spent and quality results through site reports, measurement books and inspections. 3. **Compare** actual with planned values and find the **variance** (schedule, cost, quality). 4. **Analyse the variance:** find the causes (late material, low productivity, design change, weather) and forecast the effect on the completion date and final cost. 5. **Take corrective action:** add resources, work overtime, re-sequence activities, change the method, or revise the plan with approval. 6. **Report and update:** inform management, update the plan, and repeat the cycle at the next review period (feedback). #### Factors to be considered in quality control 1. **Specifications and standards:** clear drawings, specifications and codes (Nepal Building Code, IS, NS) with acceptance limits. 2. **Quality of materials:** testing of cement, steel, aggregate, bricks and bitumen before use; approved sources. 3. **Workmanship and skill:** trained labour and supervisors; method statements. 4. **Equipment and tools:** suitable, calibrated and well-maintained machines and testing instruments. 5. **Inspection and testing:** a plan of tests (cube test, density test, slump test), their frequency and sampling. 6. **Supervision and organisation:** clear responsibility; a qualified quality engineer. 7. **Documentation:** records of tests, approvals and non-conformance reports. 8. **Environment and site conditions:** weather, curing, storage of materials. 9. **Time and cost pressure:** rushing or low rates reduce quality, so quality must be planned into the budget and schedule. 10. **Corrective and preventive action:** a rework or rejection procedure, and feedback to avoid repeated defects. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. What is the correct sequence in the project control cycle? A. Plan baseline, measure actual progress, compare and find variance, analyse causes, take corrective action, report and repeat B. Act, analyse, plan, measure C. Measure, plan, act, compare D. Compare, plan, report, measure Answer: A. The cycle sets the baseline, measures, compares, analyses, corrects and then feeds back into the next review. (Key point: Control cycle order) 2. In the control cycle, what is done after the variance is found? A. The baseline is deleted B. Only the report is filed without analysis C. The project is closed D. Causes such as late material, low productivity or design change are analysed and the effect on completion date and cost is forecast Answer: D. Analysis finds causes and forecasts impact before corrective action is chosen. (Key point: Variance analysis) 3. Which factor in quality control concerns testing of cement, steel, aggregate and bitumen before use? A. Quality of materials B. Time and cost pressure C. Environment and site conditions D. Documentation Answer: A. Material testing and approved sources are the 'quality of materials' factor. (Key point: Quality of materials) 4. How do time and cost pressure affect quality? A. They only matter after handover B. They have no effect C. They improve quality automatically D. A rush or low rates reduce quality, so quality must be planned into budget and schedule Answer: D. Rushed work and low rates cut quality, so quality must be provided for in the budget and schedule. (Key point: Time and cost pressure) ## Related in Project Engineering - [Project control and control cycle steps](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproject-control-cycle-steps) — Project Engineering, chapter 4, asked 3× - [Short note: Project quality control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aquality-control-techniques-note) — Project Engineering, chapter 4, asked 2× - [Quality; QA vs QC; factors in Nepal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aquality-qa-qc-nepal-factors) — Project Engineering, chapter 4 - [Monitoring vs evaluation; quality control tools](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Amonitoring-vs-evaluation-quality-tools) — Project Engineering, chapter 4 - [Monitoring and quality, cost, schedule control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Amonitoring-quality-cost-schedule-control) — Project Engineering, chapter 4 - [Closed and open control; quality cost](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aclosed-open-control-quality-cost) — Project Engineering, chapter 4 ## Related in other subjects - [Test life cycle in quality control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Atest-life-cycle) — ICT Project Management, chapter 10 - [Segregation and bleeding; control during placing](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Asegregation-bleeding-control) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 3 - [Quality control process](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aquality-control-process) — ICT Project Management, chapter 10 - [Testing IT systems in quality control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Atesting-it-systems) — ICT Project Management, chapter 10