CASE STUDY $-$ Value to clients is a very complex and often subjective issue, but it is recognized that quality of construction is a key component of perceived value to clients. As noted by FIDIC, lack of quality in construction is manifested in poor or non$-$sustainable workmanship, and unsafe structures, and in delays, cost overruns and disputes in construction contracts. Value and quality of construction is of concern to both public and private sector clients. Against this background, the cidb has undertaken a study on the quality of construction in South Africa. This investigation is undertaken largely from a client perspective $($md largely from a public sector client perspective$)$ and conclude by highlighting those actions that clients can implement to derive higher quality on their construction projects. The report investigates the factors impacting on construction quality through the value chain in creating new capital works, namely design, procurement, and construction. $($The impact of operation and maintenance cn construction quality is not discussed here, and reference to this can be found in various documents dealing with the National Infrastructure Maintenance Strategy $($NI MS$)).$ The report on construction quality draws on two key studies, namely the annual cidb Construction Industry Indicators $($Clls$)$ which contains a significant amount of information can construction quality; together with a research report on the state of construction quality commissioned this study. This latter study included surveys of clients, designers md contractors$-$

The report first presents an overview of the state of construction quality in South Africa, from while it is shown that clients are neutral or dissatisfied with the quality of construction on around $20\%$ of all projects, and around $12\%$ of the projects surveyed had Levels of defects which are regarded as inappropriate. It is argued that clients should not be complacent with these levels of dissatisfaction, and that clients should strive to get better value for money. The report also notes that client dissatisfaction is highest in the residential building sector, followed by special works and non$-$residential building. Specifically, low$-$ and middle$-$income residential construction was ranked the Lowest in terms of quality achieved $($typically ranked poor to average quality$),$ while the quality of upper$-$income residential was ranked as average to good.

Finally, the report investigates the key construction site related barriers to quality, namely process issues and skills and competence issues, as well as the effectiveness of the clients representative in ensuring compliance by the contractor with the client's quality specification The report highlights the various actions that are being developed by the cidb which are aimed at enhancing construction skills and construction quality, and recognizes and acknowledges the initiatives being undertaken by the industry in addressing the skills shortages $$ particularly at the level of skilled and semiskilled workers.

Considering the case study above, critically discuss the benefits associated with the management of quality in construction projects.