Strategies to reduce defects in floor and wall tiles; application of continuous improvement processes

Abstract

Continuous improvement is a key element in any business strategy, and it is even required in enterprises with a management system in agreement with the UNE EN ISO 9001: 2008 standard. However, due to the characteristics of the construction sector, it is especially complex to put it into practice. This paper describes the work underway to try to reduce defects in construction ceramic coatings applying continuous improvement tools. Once data on the construction defects found in seven housing building works have been collected, priorities were established for the implementation of the improved project, based on statistical tools for continuous improvement. The process of analysis is explained in this paper, as well as the reasons to deepen the study focusing on the shortcomings of this working chapter, so as to establish strategies to reduce failures in it. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.