The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

The implementation of major engineering projects usually begins with the development of conceptual feasibility studies followed by the performance of site selection and suitability investigations, the development of site-specific designs and finally by the construction and operation of the structures or facilities in question. It is not unusual for such major projects to take a decade or longer to implement, cost multi-millions or even billions of dollars. In addition, the various phases of the project are often implemented by a plethora of contractors, sub-contractors, consultants, constructors and other specialized technicians.

To maintain project continuity and to develop a strong level of confidence that the structure or facility that is ultimately constructed will perform satisfactorily in use the owner(s) usually require that a formal program of “Quality Assurance (QA)” be implemented to track project progress. The aim of the QA program itself is to provide the owner(s) with a level of confidence that the structure or facility in question has been conceived, designed, constructed and will be operated safely in accordance with its intended use. The underlying assumption is to be in a position to certify that all work has been performed in conformance with the best prevailing engineering standards that are applicable at the time the project is implemented.

Given the above considerations, this course introduces you to the concepts and describes the principles involved in the development of a well-balanced and formal Quality Assurance (QA) Program. Many of these concepts are also equally applicable to projects and activities ranging from the design and construction of large and small structures, systems, subsystems, the manufacturing of components or complete products to providing professional services such as the implementation of site assessments and environmental and hazardous waste investigations. As such, the principles and concepts presented here are equally useful and of interest to all types of engineers, constructors, architects, contractors, building inspectors, surveyors and environmental and geological scientists.

The payback of a well designed QA program includes:

•     Delivering higher quality products and services,
•     Reducing the time and money wasted in re-performing activities or correcting errors,
•     Enhancing your professional reputation for delivering quality work on schedule and within budget,
•     Minimizing crisis management and the associated stress,
•     Reducing loss time accidents or injuries, and
•     Enhancing protection from the damaging effects of lawsuits and litigation

This course addresses all the recommended QA criteria that are formally published in the Code of Federal Regulations, which are:

• Organization
• Quality Assurance Program
• Design Controls
• Procurement Document Control
• Instructions, Procedures and Drawings
• Document Control
• Control of Purchased Material, Equipment and Services
• Identification and Control of Materials, Parts and Components
• Control of Processes
• Inspection
• Test Control
• Control of Measuring and Test Equipment
• Handling Storage and Shipping
• Inspection, Test and Operating Status
• Nonconforming Materials, Parts or Components
• Corrective Action
• Quality Assurance Records
• Audits Surveillance and Managerial Controls

Each of these 18 criteria is addressed, and for each criterion, three questions are answered: “What does this criterion address?” “Why is this criterion important?”, and “How is this criterion implemented?”.

The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of twenty (20) questions at the end of the course to obtain PDH credits.

State Board Acceptance

This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.

*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.

**The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.

Please Note: Continuing Education credits for this course are awarded as PDH (Professional Development Hour Credits).