Field Quality Plan (FQP)

A Field Quality Plan (FQP) is a project-specific QA/QC document describing the contractor's approach to quality management for a project. Distinguished from the broader Quality Plan (QP) — which is the contractor's organisational quality system — the FQP is project-tailored, addressing the specific requirements, scale, and complexity. Per ISO 9001 + IS 14687 + project specification, FQPs are mandatory in formal QA/QC programs for major Indian commercial and infrastructure projects.

FQP contents typically include: (1) Project specifics — name, scope, duration, key milestones. (2) Organisation chart — QA/QC team, roles, responsibilities, communication paths. (3) Inspection Test Plan (ITP) — embedded in the FQP or attached. (4) Material approvals — list of pre-approved suppliers with required documentation. (5) Method Statements — for major activities, particularly those with unique requirements. (6) Hold and witness points — defined for each major activity. (7) Non-conformance procedure — flow for raising, addressing, and closing NCRs. (8) Document control — naming, versioning, distribution. (9) Training requirements — for site personnel. (10) Audit schedule — internal and external. (11) Calibration of test equipment.

FQP differs from the umbrella Quality Plan: FQP is specific to one project; the QP applies across all of the contractor's projects. FQP is reviewed and approved by the project structural engineer + client; QP is reviewed by the certifying body (BIS, ISO certifier). Indian commercial and infrastructure project requirements: (a) Government and PSU — FQP mandatory at the tender stage. (b) Major commercial — FQP at the project commencement; updated quarterly. (c) Private residential — informal QA without formal FQP. The FQP is the single most important QA document for project execution; without it, ITP and method statements lack context. The most-overlooked aspect: FQP must be living document — updated when conditions change (new equipment, new sub-contractor, scope change). Stale FQPs provide false comfort.