Quality practices in landscape architecture in brief and design phases  

Susanna Nazaruddin Tan, Abdul Hakim Mohammad, Ismail Said
Research Seminar On Construction, CTMC, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 12-13 September 2001.

Keywords: quality practices, landscape architecture brief and design phases, quality output, quality system

Landscape architecture brief and design phases are where customer requirements are understood and translated into an output.  To avoid quantum inaccuracies leading to costly construction errors, it is essential that landscape architects understand and implement quality practices for a quality output in both the brief and design phases. The objective of this paper is to discuss the industry perspective on quality and to identify practices in the landscape design office, which contribute towards achieving quality output. Quality practices are tasks that control and overcome any potential deviations in an output.  Current practices were surveyed and analyzed as these play a vital role in producing quality output.  The results indicated a significant need to acknowledge a quality system alongside quality practices and to instigate it progressively.  Further discussion deduces that, upon emphasizing and practicing key factors within the quality system, a quality output is ensured, customer satisfaction achieved and a culture of continuous improvement nurtured.