2015 International Conference on Computer Science and Applications
The Application of PDCA Cycle Management in Project Management
Meng-meng Ren
Department of Industrial Engineering
Nanjing Tech University
Nanjing 210009, China
e-mail: rmp0511@sina.com
Xia Wei
Department of Industrial Engineering,
Nanjing Tech University
Nanjing 210009, China
e-mail: eva.weixia@outlook.com
Abstract—Two important stages of project management are
decision-making stage and implementation stage. In the
decision-making stage of the project, the main task of
management is to target planning and target demonstration.
In the implementation stage of the project, the core task of the
project management is the target control. Due to long-term
and complexity in the implementation of the project, the goal
of project management control to the dynamic control,
dynamic control principle is the core principle of project
target control. PDCA cycle management, as a dynamic control
principle and application of a typical representative of the
method, has been widely used in engineering project
management at home and abroad, its effectiveness also for the
industry greatly respected. This article detailed discusses the
PDCA cycle management in engineering project construction
schedule management, quality management, cost management
application specific ways, to the PDCA circulation in the
popularization and application of the guidance to help.
Keywords-PDCA cycle; engineering; management quality;
progress; cost
I. INTRODUCTION
PDCA cycle is known as the Deming circle, and it is
proposed by Shewhat, the father of statistical quality control.
PDCA cycle is evolved by the PDS. Operation of
management activities cannot leave the management cycle
of rotation. To improve and solve the quality problem and
catch up with the advanced level of each work all need to
apply the scientific application of PDCA cycle. The PDCA
circulation method is applied to the engineering project
management, it will play an active role in improving the
level of project management and promoting the scientific
and standardization of the project management [1].
First of all, control engineering project management
based on project goals. The core principles of the target
control is the dynamic control principle. Practice proves that
the PDCA cycle is effective dynamic control principle.
Secondly, in the process of engineering project management,
the management goal is to advocate active control,
978-1-4799-9961-3/15 $31.00 © 2015 IEEE
DOI 10.1109/CSA.2015.84
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Ning Ling
Department of Industrial Engineering
Nanjing Tech University
Nanjing 210009, China
e-mail: 758062063@qq.com
Shu-hai Fan
Department of Industrial Engineering,
Nanjing Tech University
Nanjing 210009, China
e-mail: fan@njut.edu.cn
beforehand control and dynamic control. Management plan
is in line with the reality, whether the goal plan has a
dynamic feature, how to ensure the effect so that the
management reached or infinite close to optimal value, all
the problems need to be solved. The PDCA cycle through
the layers of circulation, make the management plan at or
near an infinite value. So, the PDCA cycle management in
the engineering of all kinds of management is indispensable,
research of the application of PDCA cycle in engineering
management is also very necessary.
The purpose of this study is to systematically introducing
PDCA cycle, and the PDCA cycle in project schedule
management, quality management and engineering cost
management in operation mode.
II. PDCA CYCLE IN PROJECT SCHEDULE MANAGEMENT
A. Project Schedule
The main steps of the project preparation schedule:
Collect compilation basis:
a) Determine the unit project schedule control
b) Objective to determine the construction sequence
and construction project
c) Calculation of quantities
d) Paraphrase the construction quota
e) Calculate the amount of labor or machinery
f) Determine the duration of the construction
project
g) Determine the overlapping relationship
h) Preparation of the initial program schedule.
When the schedule is satisfied, preparing the schedule of
formal preparation and explanation, Risk analysis unit
project construction schedule and to develop control
measures, then submitted for review.
The main method of preparing the project schedule:
Gantt Chart Method Gantt diagram method is an
intuitive method of schedule. With map, appearances
combined formed the starting time of the project activities,
end time and duration [2].
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 Network Diagram Method By calculating the
parameters of the network time, it can clearly be seen that
the earliest and latest start time working hours of the work
and the corresponding end time, total float and free float;
You can define the critical path work composed by a key;
You can see which work must be completed on schedule,
which allows maneuvering time work; You can optimize
and compare the planned programs (See FIG. 1).
B. Inspection of project progress
Construction Project Schedule Inspection Process:
a) Survey: Use Daily progress reports, Report job
status, Site field inspection and other methods to on the
whole construction process of tracking and monitoring,
collecting information.
FIG. 1 with a network diagram of schedule
b) Clear up: The survey data into finishing the
construction schedule and comparable data will reflect the
actual construction schedule.
c) Comparative analysis: Use S-curve method, Banana
Curve and other check the contrast methods to compare the
actual progress and planned progress, combine graphics
and contrast analysis, find out the problems existing in the
progress, finally, suit the remedy to the case and be solved.
Inspection of the project schedule
Gantt Chart Checks Comparative Law: The
advantages is simple, intuitive and easy to grasp the image,
But it is based Gantt Chart Program, the logical relationship
between each work is not obvious, Critical work and critical
path cannot be visually manifested, While some progress
varies, it is difficult to predict the impact on the entire
duration of follow-up and cannot determine the adjustment
program [3].
S-curve Comparison Method: S-curve in the figure the
abscissa represents the time schedule, the ordinate represents
the accumulated amount to complete the task, eventually
forming a cumulative time to complete the task as planned
amount of graphics. Usually, Progress Control staff before
implementation of the scheme drawn first S-shaped curve,
with the implementation of the project, in accordance with
the actual situation and plans to complete the task S-curve
check drawn on the same sheet of drawings can be drawn
from the actual progress of S-shaped curve.
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C. Actual Schedule Check The Processing Of The Results
To deal with the results of the actual schedule check,
general progress check result by project leaders or
collaboration with relevant management personnel written
progress control report on time, can also according to the
time interval, meadow, week (month) report writing. After
checking the schedule shall prepare a progress report on the
following [4]:
a˅A comprehensive description of the progress of
implementation.
b˅The actual and planned progress of comparative
information.
c˅Analysis of implementation issues and reasons
schedule.
d˅Impact on the progress of implementation, such as
quality, safety and cost.
e˅Measures and projections for the future schedule.
f˅Need to adjust schedule when necessary.
Progress report can be compiled separately according to
the above content, can also be a merger with quality, cost,
safety, and other reports to write, put forward the
comprehensive progress report.
D. The Basic Method To Solve The Problem Of Schedule
Delays
Delays in the progress that has been generated generally
have the following basic methods:
a˅Take active measures to work, in order to make up
for the delay of has been done. Has a complete project
should be finish as soon as possible, for not completing a
project or a half late should timely adjust plan modification
progress, and modify the network plan.
b˅Do not take special measures, based on the current
state of progress, still arrange late work in accordance with
the original plan. However, under normal circumstances,
the impact of the delay will be more and more, sometimes
only the start of a week or two delay, the final outcome will
lead to a year delay.
III. THE APPLICATION OF PDCA CYCLE IN THE PROJECT
QUALITY MANAGEMENT
A. The Quality Of The Project Plan
The main content
a˅Basis of compilation: Refers to the quality manual
and quality system procedures provided by the method,
quality objectives, guidelines, etc.
b˅Project profile: Quality planning is a series of
documents rather than separate documents
c˅Construction quality target: To pursue the purpose of
quality, the goal must be clear to all departments and all the
members of the project ,in order to facilitate inspection;
d˅Organization and the practical application of the
process steps in organization.
e˅The quality control and management of the system
description, and to determine the key processes and special
processes and operations
Engineering Quality Planning Process
 a˅To formulate and decompose the quality management
objectives;
b˅start up;
c˅general equilibrium;
d˅Under development plan: The quality plan shall be
directly or by reference to the appropriate form of a
document or other documents Explains how to implement
the required construction activity, when a request is not
consistent with the quality management system of the
enterprise to adjust and approve the deal.
B. The Implementation Of The Project Quality Plan
Quality management should the division of quality
control process, and should be in accordance with the
provisions of the saving control record; When quality
problem or accident, should be timely analysis the quality or
the cause of the accident, then distinguish and rectify;
Technical personnel should regularly organize a qualified
prosecutors and the quality of internal quality auditors to
verify the implementation of the quality plan effect; The
emergence of non-compliance and quality issues, technical
personnel should take timely measures to solve, if the
problem recurs or solve, those responsible should be held
accountable in accordance with the provisions of, and
punishment according to verify the results of the evaluation.
C. The Engineering Quality Control
The quality control of construction preparation stage
from the contractor's point of view, the quality control of
construction preparation work mainly includes the following
content:
a˅The qualification of subcontractors.
b˅Check this unit of the quality management system
and the establishment of project quality management system.
c˅Construction project management planning
(construction organization design) review.
d˅Construction layout, equipment configuration and
control.
e˅Design Details and drawings mixed control.
f˅Construction site management environment, check
the technical environment.
g˅Construction management, review of qualified
workers and the quality of education and training.
h˅Review of construction Readiness Review and start
conditions [5].
The Quality Control In The Process Of Construction
• Technical clarification
• Measurement control
• Material control
• Machinery and equipment control
• Measurement control Measuring work under
construction contain feeding measurement and
monitoring measurement when the construction
conducting ǃ and test ǃ inspection ǃ analysis of
measurement of the project, product, and process etc.
• Process control
• Special and key process control
• Engineering change control [6].
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Quality Control In The Process Of Completion and
Acceptance
ķ Check the performance of the contract, promote the
construction project put into production and delivery in time,
report investment benefit in time;
ĸ Summarizes the lessons and experiences of the
construction for future construction. Quality control in the
process of completion and acceptance mainly contains
preparation of the finishing touches and completion dataǃ
preliminary acceptance of the completion acceptanceǃthe
completion acceptance and review of the project quality etc..
D. Main Work In The Process Of The Project Quality
Completion Inspection And Acceptance
Generally, the completion inspection and acceptance of
work can be divided into two steps: firstly, self-inspection
by the construction unit; secondly, formal acceptance.
Mutual acceptances include construction units, building
units and monitoring units. After the acceptance inspection,
the project can be handed over to the engineering
construction unit officially.
ķSelf-inspection of the completion. The standard of
self-inspection should be the same as the standard of formal
acceptance. The main basis includes whether the project
completion is in line with the construction drawings and
meet the use of design requirements; whether the quality of
the project is in compliance with the standards and
requirements prescribed by the national and local
government; whether the project reach the requirements of
the contract and standards, etc.
ĸ The recheck. On the basis of the self-inspection,
completely repairs the problems found out during the
self-inspection, through the recheck, solves the remain
problems, prepares for the formal acceptance.
Ĺ Formal acceptance.
E. Review Of The Project Quality
Return is contractor project normal function and in the
work plan, procedures and the working content of the quality
system. Through the review to understand the user opinion
of project quality after project completion delivery; to
promote the contractor to improve engineering quality
management, to provide customers with high quality
services. The quality problems that be met in the review
should be solved according to the promise of quality
guarantee in time.
Generally, the construction unit of leadership should
conduct the review through organizing technologist in the
production, technology, quality, water and electricity (may
include contract and budget) of aspect. When meet the
quality problem that hard to solve, the construction unit
should invite relevant experts. The review must be serious,
and should be recorded. Shouldn’t take the review as a form
or go through the motions.
IV. PDCA CYCLE IN ENGINEERING COST MANAGEMENT
A. Project Cost Plan

Prepare the formal cost

Collect and organize information

A P

C D Determine the target

Preparation of cost plan draft Decomposition and implementation of

Preparation of cost plan draft target cost responsibility plan

Fig.2 Cost planning program under PDCA circle

Project Cost Prediction: Cost prediction is based on
cost information and the specific situation of the cost planning The inspection standard
construction project, using a special method, cost level and
its possible development trend of the future make scientific
estimate, it is to the estimate of the cost before construction. The construction process
Through cost forecast, under the premise of meet the
requirements of the owner and the enterprise, choose low
cost and good benefit best practices, strengthen cost control, The cost of forming
to overcome the blindness and improve predictability [7]. Take measures
Now we have two kinds of commonly used cost prediction
method: qualitative method and quantitative prediction Compared with the cost plan
method. Qualitative prediction method mainly includes The analysis reason
expert meeting method, Delphi method, the subjective
probability method and survey method, etc. Quantitative Yes or No
prediction method (statistical forecast method) generally
divided into time series forecasting method and regression
forecast method. The cost target
The preparation of project cost plan: The cost plan of the
establishment of project cost plan is very important, it is not Fig3. The cost control process
only a few pieces of the schedule, more important is the cost
scheme is selected. Technically feasible and economically C. The construction project cost control measures
reasonable and achieve the optimal plan has always been the a˅ set up the accounting system for project cost center;
goal of cost planning. In general, large and medium-sized b˅ of the actual cost data;
projects generally. Use hierarchical way, small projects c˅"three is" tracking analysis: in order to timely, accur
centralized general establishment. Either way, the program ately and effectively, "three is" trace analysis should be divi
also follows PDCA cycle, the preparation on cost planning ded according to the division, disciplines content and cost fa
for the PDCA cycle in the following (as shown in figure 2). ctors "three is" analysis project, first drawn up separately ac
cording to the cost factors, and then summary partial compr
B. The Basic Method Of Engineering Cost Check
ehensive cost. Contract cost budget, construction budget, the
Engineering cost control is to accounting and monitoring relationship between the actual budget cost can be expresse
of project capital spending, cost control is a part of cost d in figure 4.
management. Cost control work is carried out on the basis of
cost control plan, it is according to the actual cost of each
work need and plan cost comparison, evaluate the cost, and
to forecast the unfinished project, cost control within the
scope of budget work [8].
Project Cost Control Process
The general cost control program is shown in figure 3.

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 The contract budget cost
Construction cost budget
Costin
The actual cost
Time
Fig 4. contract and the relationship between the construction budget cost and actual cost
Organizational Measures:
a) Clear the institutional setup and personnel in charge
of construction project management, coordinate all aspects
of the responsibility, right and benefit relationship.
b) Clear cost controller and its mission, the use of
scientific, reasonable and economic construction plan and
arrangement, making someone responsible for cost control,
to avoid cost, cost, causing problems such as unclear
responsibility.
Technical Measures: We should give full play to the
technical personnel's subjective initiative, the main technical
solutions to make the necessary technical and economic
argumentation, to seek a more economic and reliable
solution, in order to achieve shorten the construction period,
improving quality, reducing project cost.
Economic Measures: Economic measures are mainly
from the economic aspects of humans, materials, machines
and other costs of control. Especially for the material
control, we should do the following three points:
Firstly, we should do well on the amount of material
control. Insist on determining the material consumption
according to the quota, and the limits of the system.
Secondly, the project personnel can improve the
construction technology and promote the use of new
technology to reduce material consumption, and analyze the
function of the project and the performance analysis of
material, all of those analyses strive to replace expensive
materials, strengthen the management of turnover materials.
The purchasing department should investigate the market
quotation in the purchase in advance, and make preferential
purchase in the premise of ensuring the quality.
Contract Measures: First of all, to strengthen the
contract management and claims management, project
personnel should ensure that the project must be carried out
within the project contract strictly, collect and save the
construction of the contract related information. Secondly,
the study may cause the risk of cost changes in the
identification and analysis, and then take the necessary
measures to reduce the possibility of risk, and to make these
measures reflect the specific terms of the contract, in order
to ensure that the construction process to minimize
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unnecessary costs and losses and protect their rights and
interests in the law. The third is the project personnel should
pay close attention to the execution of the contract during
the performance of the contract to find the breach of contract
claims; what’s more, the project personnel must pay
attention to their behaviors to prevent the other team.
V. CONCLUSION
This article mainly discusses the PDCA cycle
management in the construction of the project quality
management, schedule management, cost management and
so on the concrete application of ways in order to spread and
application of PDCA cycle to guide a certain help.
Through research, we get the following opinions: PDCA
cycle in quality management of the project, schedule
management and cost management has a very important
role. In the enterprise project management process, we need
to integrate into PDCA circulation method of management
experience and the essence of the planning, implementation,
inspection, review and improvement process into every
aspect of project management to go, and each cycle need to
be resolved Some problems, so that the next cycle can
achieve higher levels. Through this iterative process, so as to
gradually enhance project quality, reduce project costs, and
reasonable arrangements for schedule effectively
implemented. By PDCA circulation, management gradually
approaches the optimum value.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work was supported by National Natural Science
Foundation of China (Grant No.71171110) and National
Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.71371097).
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