Seaport – Quality Assurance

Our Commitment To Tasks, Products And Deliverables Of The Highest Quality
The Onyx Group implements a Quality Control/Quality Assurance Program that is outlined in our Project Management Resource Manual, which is available for the client's review. This program includes the following key elements:

Project Plan
The management team sets quality goals, based on the client's needs and expectations. At the beginning of the project, the goals are written into the project plan. These client-driven goals are communicated to the entire team at the first team meeting.

  • The Project Manager assigns responsibility for all work and concurrently designates an individual to provide independent quality review for the entire project.
  • Large projects have individual task managers assigned.
  • The independent quality reviewer is a firm principal or senior technical manager who has proven expertise in the subject manner. The quality reviewer has the authority to question documentation, decisions, calculations, and directions.
  • The Project Manager builds time into the project schedule for timely and thorough quality reviews. In addition, a final editorial review will be included in the plan.

Decision Management
The Project Manager's responsibilities include the following:

  • The project plan including a schedule of activities, milestones, and key staff members.
  • Maintaining continual coordination with the client.
  • Documenting required decisions and distributing copies to all project team members.
  • Keeping and maintaining files relating to controlling and monitoring the budget.

Document Control
The Project Manager works with the client to develop a communication and distribution matrix for all documents. The Project Manager ensures that copies of each delivered document are dated and recorded to eliminate duplication and inadvertent release of incorrect material or release to unauthorized individuals.

Communication Management
Accurate, up-to-date information is a key to satisfaction and completeness. The Program Manager and Project Manager will work with the client to develop a communication and distribution matrix to ensure information gets to the right people.

  • The Project Manager holds regular project meetings and documents significant decisions and information with meeting minutes.
  • Action items are assigned for follow-up, and they are tracked until completed. The results of follow-up are recorded and made part of the project record.
  • To avoid any confusion or misunderstanding, the Program Manager will be the single point-of-contact for the client, and the Project Manager with the Team.

Personnel Management
The Project Manager establishes clear lines of authority and prepares the project directory, lines of authority chart, and communications protocol.

  • Tasks are monitored to ensure adherence to the schedule.
  • To avoid any confusion and misunderstanding, the Project Manager will be the single point-of-contact for the design team, sub-consultants, and any regulatory agencies.

On-Going Quality Reviews
Quality is built-in, not added on. During the life of the project, the Project Manager ensures that all work is thoroughly reviewed by the project team.

  • Peer review is a requirement before quality review of the document is undertaken.
  • Quality review comments are written and discussed with the team. Responses are recorded and included in the project file to document decisions and direction.
  • All significant issues are discussed with the client's project manager for concurrence before being implemented.
  • Decisions are recorded to complete the project record.

Final Delivery
Before final delivery, a final technical and editorial review of each work product is made to ensure that the standard set at the beginning of the project has been achieved and the goals have been reached.

  • The review is conducted independently and the results recorded in the project record.
  • If needed, a meeting is held to discuss the results of the review and make final changes. Significant issues are brought to the attention of the client for a decision.
  • The Project Management Resource Manual is updated on a regular basis.
  • We are committed to providing state-of-the-art support to the client. We use modern, high-performance equipment to ensure top quality graphic presentations.
  • We employ a variety of new media technologies to enhance our communications capabilities and ensure satisfaction of client needs.