Effective February 2025

Certified Construction Quality

Manager (CCQM)

Body of Knowledge

The topics in this Body of Knowledge include additional detail in

the form of subtext explanations and the cognitive level at which test
questions will be written. This information will provide guidance for the
candidate preparing to take the exam. The subtext is not intended to
limit the subject matter or be all-inclusive of what might be covered in
an exam. It is meant to clarify the type of content to be included in the
exam. The descriptor in parentheses at the end of each entry refers to the
maximum cognitive level at which the topic will be tested. A complete
description of cognitive levels is provided at the end of this document.

I. Pre-contract Phase (13 Questions)

A. Project delivery, contract, and payment models
1. Project delivery methods
Identify various types of clients (e.g., private, commercial, federal, state, municipal, and
international) and their use of project delivery methods, such as Engineering, Procurement,
Construction Management (EPCM), Design-Bid-Build (DBB), Design-Build (DB), Design, Build,
Finance, and Maintain (DBFM), Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), and Construction
Manager for Fee (CMFF). Understand project lifecycle phases (e.g., project initiation, project
planning, project execution, monitoring & control, and project closeout) align with the project
delivery method. (Understand)
2. Contract types
Understand various types and sources of contracts (e.g., Public-Private Partnership (P3), Design-
Build Institute of America (DBIA), American Institute of Architects (AIA), International Federation
of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), lump sum, subcontract, consultant agreement, consultant staffing
agreement, joint venture contracts, and purchase orders) along with their quality requirements.
Recognize contract terms and conditions (e.g., liquidated damages [LDs], liquidated and
ascertained damages [LADs], and general damages [GDs]). (Understand)
3. Payment models and methods
Understand the risks associated with and the differences between payment
models (e.g., unit rates and reimbursable costs) and methods (e.g.,
Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). (Understand)
4. Payment documentation requirements
Understand payment documentation requirements, such as schedule of values,
percent completion determination (cost complete vs. work complete), retainage,
billing methods, and billing terms. (Understand)

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 B. Contractual requirements
1. Scope, schedule, and resource planning
Define a project’s scope components (e.g., boundaries), develop the schedule and resource plan,
track milestones, and identify roles and responsibilities in terms of quality of different entities
(e.g., trade partner, contractor, owner, and quality manager). (Analyze)
2. Quality management inputs
Determine and analyze quality management inputs (e.g., Certificate of Authorization (CoA),
input for proposals, and Request for Proposal (RFP)) to adhere to a project’s quality standards.
(Analyze)
3. Stakeholders
Identify and acknowledge internal and external stakeholders and engage them. (Apply)
4. Local contract opportunities and contract values
Understand the impact of local contract (e.g., DBE, SWaM, local small businesses and suppliers)
opportunities and contract values (e.g., allocation percentages to local resources) in relation to
the quality of a project. (Understand)
5. Procurement and contracting methods
Understand procurement methods, such as sole source, single source, competitive bid, lowest bid,
technical bid, and contracting methods, such as general contracting, and subcontracting. Identify
and understand the best value proposal. (Understand)
6. Delegated design
Apply delegated design or specialized engineering to transfer specific design responsibilities for
a project to a contractor or subcontractor and understand the associated risks. (Apply)

C. Bid evaluation and finalization

1. Prequalification process
Analyze the role of audits in the prequalification process, align the prequalification process to
meet organizational needs, and explain the prequalification process for short-listed bidders.
(Analyze)
2. Criteria development
Review the criteria for assessing and comparing bids (e.g., dollars, schedule, lead times,
workforce, products, assemblies, safety, sustainability) to integrate the bid criteria with quality
requirements, critical to quality (CTQ) concepts, and examine bid criteria for the specific contract
type in use. (Analyze)
3. Bidding process
Distinguish the role of quality requirements in the context of different contract types during the
bidding process. Identify strategies and techniques for building consensus when finalizing quality
requirements. (Analyze)

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II. Planning Phase (30 Questions)
A. Strategic quality planning
1. Project quality strategy development
Formulate a comprehensive project quality strategy, integrating stakeholder requirements (stated
and implied), procurement requirements, contracting approaches, and regulatory compliance
based on Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), and securing management commitment. Establish
key performance indicators (KPIs) to align with each element of the quality strategy. (Create)
2. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices
Apply sustainable practices and programs (e.g., LEED®, ENERGY STAR®, and Cradle to Cradle
Certification), social responsibility, and governance standards to enhance the overall quality and
long-term viability of projects. (Apply)
3. Alignment of quality plan with other project plans
Create the quality plan, ensuring alignment with the quality strategy and technology strategy.
Align the quality plan with other project plans, such as the Health, Safety, and Environment
(HSE) Plan, Execution Plan, Communication Plan, project schedule, and Risk Management Plan.
(Create)
B. Quality management systems (QMS)
1. Industry standards
Analyze the quality management system (QMS) to ensure it follows industry standards and
understand how it complies with international standards (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 10006, ISO
14001, and ISO 45001) to deliver quality outcomes. (Analyze)
2. Quality Management Plan
Create a project-specific quality management plan (QMP) that complies with the appropriate
QMS, incorporating policies and procedures (e.g., nonconformance control procedures,
inspection and testing procedures, and method statements). Integrate PMBOK® Guide principles
and system assurance practices into the development of the QMS and QMP. (Create)
3. Quality assurance (QA)
Develop and implement quality assurance (QA) practices to verify the project meets quality
specifications and is compliant with applicable standards by establishing standardized quality
policies and procedures. (Create)
4. Quality control (QC)
Develop and implement quality control (QC) measures such as an inspection and test plan to
ensure compliance with requirements. (Create)

C. Resource planning and analysis

1. Resource assessment and mobilization
Identify the specific quality resources and timely availability needed for a project and develop a
mobilization plan including allocation and a gap analysis of current and necessary resources.
(Create)
2. Roles of quality personnel and internal stakeholders
Ensure all relevant quality personnel and internal stakeholders understand the quality plan and
have the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out their responsibilities. Formulate the roles
and expectations of quality personnel, contribute to the personnel qualification process, and
ensure all personnel understand their roles and responsibilities. (Create)

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 3. Training needs in quality management
Identify a project team’s quality-specific training needs to achieve project deliverables, develop a
training plan, deploy the training, and evaluate the effectiveness of the training. (Create)
4. Third-party inspection and outsourcing
Identify the need for third-party inspection services as applicable and develop criteria for
selecting and integrating outsourced quality services into the project. (Create)
5. Measurement systems analysis
Assess the measurement system and its requirements to verify if equipment accurately and reliably
measures specific parameters. Ensure calibration and certification requirements are met and that
all equipment, including equipment used by subcontractors, is accurate, precise, and compliant
with relevant standards and regulations. (Evaluate)
6. Quality management tools and infrastructure
Identify and assess quality tools (e.g., data analysis tools, statistical process control, dashboards,
construction pre-control checklists, and budgets) and quality infrastructure essential for effective
quality management. (Evaluate)

D. Quality audits
1. Audit types
Identify the appropriate type of audit (e.g., first-party, second-party, and third-party) for different
situations, such as personnel independence from the area being audited. (Apply)
2. Quality audit plan
Create and evaluate a quality audit plan that aligns with strategic objectives, key project controls,
prime contractor audits, and compliance checks for areas at risk using specific, measurable,
attainable, relevant, and time-bound tactics. (Create)
3. Audit performance
Conduct a quality audit to evaluate the management system’s effectiveness, review adherence to
standards, and identify nonconformances through detailed observations. (Evaluate)

III. Design Phase (20 Questions)

A. Design inputs
1. Quality objectives
Examine the quality objectives set by the client, owner, or user from the initial scope agreement
and determine how these objectives align with design inputs. Consider the delivery method and
contract when reviewing design phase / development planning. (Analyze)
2. Coordination of functional and nonfunctional requirements
Explain the coordination between functional (e.g., foundation) and nonfunctional (e.g., finish)
requirements and illustrate their application at various levels, such as system and component.
Relate these requirements to industry standards and demonstrate their relationship to overarching
quality objectives. (Apply)
3. Design lessons learned and best practices
Apply lessons learned from previous projects and industry best practices to design inputs.
Understand the impact of value engineering on design. (Apply)

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 B. Design process
1. Stakeholder involvement
Determine key stakeholders involved in the design process for each discipline. Collaborate with
the subject matter experts from each discipline responsible for making design decisions. Analyze
the impact of these design decisions on quality. (Analyze)
2. Application of QMS in design feedback
Apply QMS procedures and interdisciplinary reviews to address feedback related to quality
requirements in the design process. (Analyze)
3. Functionality and constructability reviews
Participate in reviews that assess the design’s functionality and constructability. Provide quality
inputs that focus on various aspects, such as complexity, inspectability, testability, reliability,
durability, survivability, interoperability, compatibility, maintainability, and comparative cost of
ownership. (Analyze)

C. Design outputs
1. Quality objectives review
Apply verification and validation to design outputs to evaluate whether quality objectives are met.
(Apply)
2. Cross-disciplinary design review
Support the design review process across multiple disciplines to identify and address gaps
in design outputs using a design review checklist. Determine and address conflicts within the
overarching system design, among individual component teams, and in interactions between
component teams. (Analyze)
3. Criticality levels and inspection
Analyze the proposed criticality levels for equipment and material. Identify appropriate inspection
levels and methods (e.g., in-process inspection and third-party design review) based on criticality
and budget considerations. (Analyze)

D. Quality controls in design

1. Project controls
Evaluate the effectiveness of project controls, including the timeline, in meeting the quality
expectations of stakeholders, such as the client, owner, or user. (Evaluate)
2. Design review output
Examine the design review output received at each phase (e.g., 30%, 60%, 90%) to determine
its alignment with the expectations of stakeholders, such as the client, owner, or user. (Analyze)
3. Design changes
Understand sources of design change communication, including requests for proposals (RFPs),
change order directives, addenda, and requests for information (RFIs). Assess and track the
impact of proposed design changes and determine the effectiveness of incorporating any agreed-
upon changes into the contract. (Analyze)
4. Design verification and validation
Understand design verification and validation and understand how the design output conforms to
the design input through the use of reviews, inspections, and testing. (Understand)

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 E. Measurement and monitoring
1. Design monitoring
Examine design effectiveness and progress at various gates (e.g., schematic design (SD), design
development (DD), construction documents (CD)) to align with the quality objectives and schedule.
Address any deviations or issues discovered at each gate. (Analyze)
2. Peer reviews
Identify the necessity of peer reviews (e.g., design peer reviews and third-party consultant
reviews), evaluate their input, and incorporate them into the quality documentation process.
(Evaluate)
3. Quality documentation
Collaborate with the design review facilitator to document all quality-related activities, decisions,
and changes, ensuring a comprehensive record for evaluating the design’s adherence to quality
standards. (Evaluate)

IV. Procurement (15 Questions)

A. Quality requirements
1. Quality requirements for procurement
Collaborate with engineering teams to design functional and nonfunctional quality requirements
for the procurement of specific products or services. Analyze if these requirements are clearly
defined, complete, correct, compliant, and coordinated. (Analyze)
2. Trade partner requirement alignment
Develop a strategy, incorporating methodologies such as first article inspection (FAI) and factory
acceptance testing (FAT), to determine whether the trade partner’s inspection and testing plan
aligns with established quality requirements. Incorporate a rigorous review process for the
inspection and test plans to ensure comprehensive evaluation. Additionally, integrate specific
quality requirements for subcontractors and vendors, focusing on their scope of work, historical
performance, compliance with standards, and the thoroughness of their documentation and
plans. (Create)

B. Resource management
1. Pre-activity meetings
Schedule, implement, and oversee pre-activity meetings (e.g., pre-assembly, pre-inspection,
quality kick-off) to review the project’s requirements with the relevant stakeholders. (Evaluate)
2. Material control and resource identification
Incorporate material control, material traceability, and vendor requirements into the project prior
to commencement of work. Evaluate the resources needed for various inspections (e.g., self-
inspection and certification, third-party inspection), including those conducted at the source and
as mandated by regulations. (Evaluate)
3. Resource mobilization and management
Integrate resource qualification and training, along with warehouse quality and material
management into the resource management process. Assess the need for specific resources
tailored to each inspection type, ensuring that these resources are available and properly
allocated, and aligned with the established inspection and test plan. (Evaluate)

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 C. Risk management
1. Risk identification and analysis
Analyze various risk identification and assessment tools, including failure mode and effects
analysis (FMEA), fault tree analysis (FTA), and strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats (SWOT)
analysis. Examine risks based on quantitative and qualitative data related to potential impact on
the project. (Analyze)
2. Risk treatment
Evaluate risk mitigation strategies such as risk transfer, retention, acceptance, avoidance.
(Evaluate)
3. Risk monitoring
Use risk monitoring tools (e.g., risk-based audit programs) and perform surveillance audits
to regularly evaluate identified risks and monitor key factors (e.g., cost, time, safety, supplier
performance), and the criticality of material and equipment. (Evaluate)

D. Quality reporting
1. Review and interpretation of quality documents
Evaluate inspection and test reports, quality records, and manufacturers’ data books to ensure
traceability. Assess conformance with product specifications and quality criteria. (Evaluate)
2. Documentation and communication of quality insights
Evaluate and document key insights from the quality management process to inform future
actions. Communicate quality-related insights and determine the appropriate timing, escalation,
and method to alert stakeholders about significant quality issues. (Evaluate)
3. Vendor performance evaluation
Analyze vendor performance periodically using quality key performance indicators (KPIs) and use
supplier performance incentives (e.g., awards, more wallet share, premium). (Analyze)

V. Construction (34 Questions)

A. Quality plan deployment
1. Construction plans and specifications
Assess plans and specifications (e.g., permanent and temporary work) in relation to the project’s
quality plan to meet established quality standards. (Evaluate)
2. Required permits
Understand the importance of securing all essential permits before project commencement.
(Understand)
3. Construction submittals
Review various types of construction submittals (e.g., action and deferred/delegated), taking into
consideration the interdependency across trades and the project’s quality plan and standards.
(Apply)
4. Material evaluation
Evaluate materials to verify their conformity to project specifications. (Evaluate)
5. Requests for information or changes
Participate in the process to track requests for information (RFIs), field change requests (FCRs),
and design change requests (DCRs) to ensure the project remains on track and that objectives
adapt when necessary. (Apply)

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 B. Process management
1. Risk-based inspection and testing strategy
Develop a risk-based inspection and testing strategy by identifying risks. Establish priorities
for inspections, including modifications based on changes in project requirements (e.g., scope
modifications), and testing in line with specifications (e.g., concrete testing) and accepted
standards or regulations (e.g., welding certifications). (Create)
2. Quality management processes
Identify inspection processes for various stages, including source, initial, intermediate, and
continuous. Prioritize program inspections and tests based on their criticality, respective project
stages, and potential impact on overall project quality, ensuring alignment with the project’s
evolving needs and scope changes. Identify the need for procedures for specialized tasks, such
as welding, heat treatment, coating, and soldering. (Evaluate)
3. Quality control and monitoring
Develop a system to address nonconformances, manage nonconformance reports (NCRs) and
corrective action requests (CARs), and implement corrective and preventive action (CAPA). Design
quality protocols and establish criteria for stop work notices. Establish a robust framework for
maintaining quality records. Design a strategy for conducting site quality audits and create a
mechanism for generating and distributing quality reports. (Create)

C. Destructive and nondestructive tests

Determine the appropriate scenarios for using destructive and nondestructive test methods and
verify those performing the tests are accredited or certified. (Evaluate)

D. Compliance management
1. Laboratory accreditation
Evaluate laboratory accreditation and conduct periodic reviews or surveillance audits based on
project quality requirements. (Evaluate)
2. Compliance monitoring
Assess compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, standards, and codes,
and conformance to specifications, procedures, and drawings. Document defects and
nonconformities, and collaborate with technical authorities and engineering disciplines to review,
disposition, and resolve identified nonconformities. (Evaluate)
3. Regulatory body or Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
Conduct regulatory body or AHJ reviews and audits to assess adherence to established criteria
and maintain proper documentation of reviews and audits. (Analyze)

E. Quality monitoring and reporting

1. Acceptance criteria definition and implementation
Establish criteria for accepting work at various stages, such as mock-up inspection and testing,
initial inspection and testing, work-in-process inspection, punch list inspection, and final
inspection, testing, and commissioning. Integrate material verification at each stage to assess
if materials meet project specifications and quality standards. Apply escalation procedures to
address materials that do not meet established acceptance criteria. (Evaluate)
2. Reporting and analysis
Design periodic reports and conduct statistical analyses to identify quality trends and assess
waste elimination. (Evaluate)

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 3. Meetings and participation
Organize pre-inspection meetings that include quality meeting sample agenda items that address
key topics, such as upcoming inspections, current quality metrics, recent findings, and open
issues. (Evaluate)
4. Lessons and improvements
Incorporate lessons learned from previous projects into the quality monitoring and reporting
process. Document and communicate these lessons learned for future projects. Develop strategies
to assess and manage quality risks. Engage in root cause analyses and investigations to
understand underlying quality issues. Develop quality improvement programs based on identified
needs and insights. (Evaluate)
5. Levels of commissioning
Understand and determine when to use the 5-level (factory acceptance test, component
verification, system construction, individual system and major equipment operation verification,
integrated system testing) and 8-level (preparation, design, pre-construction, construction,
commissioning of services, pre-handover, initial occupation, post-occupancy care) commissioning
frameworks. (Evaluate)

VI. Project Turnover and Closeout (11 Questions)

A. Documentation management
1. Impact assessment and compliance
Evaluate the potential impact arising from the demobilization of quality resources. Review and
assess inspection and test records related to safety critical equipment to determine if they are
compliant with required standards. Confirm how final documentation will be transferred to the
client (e.g., digital platforms, electronically, and hard copy). (Evaluate)
2. Required documentation
Maintain comprehensive documentation throughout the project’s duration, including records of all
activities and changes. (Apply)
3. Nonconforming work
Ensure all work not conforming to contract specifications (i.e., punch list) is closed. (Evaluate)
4. Quality deliverables verification
Verify the completeness of all quality deliverables. (Evaluate)
5. Final certification
Facilitate the process for obtaining final certification, ensuring inclusion and maintenance of all
documentation related to each closeout milestone and stage (e.g., beneficial occupancy / use,
substantial completion, and final completion). Use the current version of Issued for Construction
(IFCs) documents. (Evaluate)
6. Final turnover and closeout documentation
Audit the final turnover plan and related closeout documentation, including permit close out,
operations and maintenance manuals, as-built drawings, attic stock / spare parts records,
commissioning reports, and owner training materials. Confirm all quality inspection and test
records are reviewed and validated for fitness for use. (Evaluate)
7. Warranties
Implement effective communication regarding the warranty program and documentation or
warranty work to all relevant stakeholders. (Evaluate)

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VII. Operations and Maintenance (5 Questions)
A. Sustaining quality requirements
Prepare quality objectives required for operations and maintenance (O&M) based on customer
expectations. Understand how in-contract and warranty maintenance programs are used
throughout the project lifecycle. Report future O&M inspections and testing strategies needed
(e.g., building component health, risk-based) to the design team. (Apply)

B. Business continuity
Provide inputs for facility shutdown plans, considering both planned (e.g., O&M-required) and
unplanned events (e.g., weather or disaster-related incidents). Align the quality plan with the
business continuity plan for operational resilience. Apply drills and simulations to test these plans.
Monitor the quality-related impacts resulting from shutdowns. (Apply)

VIII. Quality Manager Skills (22 Questions)

A. ASQ Code of Ethics
Demonstrate appropriate behaviors and actions that align with the ASQ Code of Ethics.
(Analyze)

B. Stakeholder analysis and alignment

Identify the perspectives, needs, and objectives of various internal and external stakeholders.
Integrate collaboration and negotiation techniques to align the organization’s strategic objectives
and stakeholder expectations. (Apply)

C. Team building
1. Vision development
Collaborate with stakeholders to adopt quality goals and a clear vision for a team or project.
(Apply)
2. Stages of team development
Identify and distinguish between the stages of team development: forming, storming, norming,
performing, and adjourning. (Analyze)
3. Effective team dynamics and communication
Employ various communication techniques (e.g., verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual) and
active listening. Collaborate with multiple groups (e.g., designers, project management, and craft
teams). Implement the Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed (RACI) Matrix to clarify
roles and responsibilities and streamline decision-making processes. Understand decision-making
pitfalls (e.g., groupthink and power dynamics) to promote healthy team dynamics and achieve
project objectives. Resolve conflicts through established procedures. (Apply)

D. Change management
1. Organizational culture
Define and explain the factors that shape an organization’s culture. (Apply)
2. Change management strategies
Analyze and provide input to various change management strategies to overcome organizational
roadblocks, adapt to global changes, assess the achieved change levels, and review outcomes
for effectiveness. (Analyze)

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 E. Cost of Quality (CoQ)
1. Cost of Quality (CoQ) analysis
Examine the methods and sources for collecting CoQ data. Interpret the CoQ data to derive
meaningful insights. Report and communicate findings from the CoQ data analysis. (Analyze)
2. Improvement plans
Incorporate CoQ as a foundation for improvement methodology, alongside Lean, Six Sigma
(e.g., DMAIC), and Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge (SoPK). Identify areas for
improvement from CoQ data analysis, and participate in the improvement plan to address these,
integrating the plan with existing business processes. Evaluate the effectiveness and applicability
of CoQ tools and methodologies. (Evaluate)
3. Organizational goals
Assess how CoQ improvement efforts align with organizational goals. Monitor and measure
the progress made towards achieving organizational goals. Evaluate the steps taken to achieve
organizational goals based on CoQ improvements. (Evaluate)

F. Customer satisfaction
1. Customer feedback systems
Apply feedback collection tools, such listening posts, focus groups, complaint logs, warranty
data, surveys, and interviews to capture positive and negative feedback. (Apply)
2. Customer value analysis
Analyze a customer value analysis to determine the financial impact of customer retention and the
potential consequences of customer attrition. (Analyze)
3. Customer experience enhancement
Evaluate corrective strategies and proactive methods to enhance customer satisfaction, loyalty,
and retention. (Evaluate)

G. Quality management tools

1. Quality tools
Select the appropriate tool and evaluate the output from the seven classic quality tools (Pareto
charts, cause and effect diagrams, flowcharts, control charts, check sheets, scatter diagrams, and
histograms) as preventive measures, analyze root causes, and problem solve. (Evaluate)
2. Learning and best practices analysis
Incorporate after-action reviews, and root cause analysis (RCA) meetings to critically assess
project outcomes and identify lessons learned from all phases of the project, identifying both
successes and areas for improvement. Analyze the critical success factors that led to best
practices being implemented within the project. Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to
systematically track and assess the impact of implemented improvements and evaluate strategies
to reinforce and replicate these improvements across future projects. (Evaluate)
3. Knowledge management analysis
Document the strategies and outcomes of knowledge management throughout the project. (Apply)

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 Levels of Cognition
Based on Bloom’s Taxonomy – Revised (2001)

In addition to content specifics, the subtext for each topic in this BOK also indicates the intended
complexity level of the test questions for that topic. These levels are based on “Levels of Cognition”
(from Bloom’s Taxonomy – Revised, 2001) and are presented below in rank order, from least complex
to most complex.

Remember
Recall or recognize terms, definitions, facts, ideas, materials, patterns, sequences, methods, principles,
etc.

Understand
Read and understand descriptions, communications, reports, tables, diagrams, directions, regulations,
etc.

Apply
Know when and how to use ideas, procedures, methods, formulas, principles, theories, etc.

Analyze
Break down information into its constituent parts and recognize their relationship to one another and
how they are organized; identify sublevel factors or salient data from a complex scenario.

Evaluate
Make judgments about the value of proposed ideas, solutions, etc., by comparing the proposal to
specific criteria or standards.

Create
Put parts or elements together in such a way as to reveal a pattern or structure not clearly there before;
identify which data or information from a complex set is appropriate to examine further or from which
supported conclusions can be drawn.

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