1 Oxford and Webster's dictionaries ,2 give trans-Atlantic agreement in English with a common definition for 'Quality' as 'degree of excellence'. Compared with the many words taken up by other authors' definitions, this is remarkably brief and no doubt unsatisfactory to many people. Yet if 'degree' means a stage in an ascending or descending series, in intensity or in amount, then measurement is by definition explicitly required if terms such as 'quality level', 'good quality', 'high quality' etc. are to have any real meaning. Using measurement is inherent in the methods of all the major writers on the achievement of business improvement through quality. Results from measurements allow improvement by using tools commonly grouped under the heading Statistical Process Control (SPC). Results also form part of the judging criteria of Total Quality Management (TQM) models such as the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in the USA and the more recent European Quality Award. Future revisions of the ISO 9000 series of quality management system standards will specifically require measure ment of defects. However, it is not easy for quality professionals or line managers to find examples of what they should measure and how to do it in their own particular functions in their own particular industries; case st\}dies always seem to refer to others.

This book provides the tools and techniques, management principles, procedures, concepts, and methods to ensure the successful completion of an oil and gas project while also ensuring the proper design, procurement, and construction for making the project most qualitative, competitive, and economical for safer operational optimized performance. It discusses quality during design, FEED, detailed engineering, selection of project teams, procurement procedure of EPC contract, managing quality during mobilization, procurement, execution, planning, scheduling, monitoring, control, quality, and testing to achieve the desired results for an oil and gas project. This book provides all the related information to professional practitioners, designers, consultants, contractors, quality managers, project managers, construction managers, and academics/instructors involved in oil and gas projects and related industries. Features Provides information on the various quality tools used to manage construction projects from inception to handover Discusses the life cycle phases, developed on systems engineering approach, and how it is divided into manageable activity/element/components segments to manage and control the project Includes a wide range of tools, techniques, principles, and procedures used to address quality management Covers quality management systems and development of quality management systems manuals Discusses quality and risk management, and health, safety, and environmental management during the design and construction process

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a set of concepts, tools and applications which has been so successful in manufacturing industry that we are now witnessing experimentation in the transference of Total Quality Management to the public sector provision of government, health and education in North America, Europe and elsewhere. TQM is starting to set a new paradigm for management approaches in the public sector and "not for profit" enterprises. All key public service managers should at least need to know the basics of TQM, its possibilities and limitations for the public sector, and particularly the types of applications which could work for them. For all public sector managers this book provides: a clear understanding of the key concepts of TQM; a critical understanding of their relevance to the public sector; empirical evidence of TQM applications in government, health and education; and exploration of the public sector TQM possibilitites yet to be realized. It draws throughout on case examples from Britain, Canada, the USA and continental Europe which illustrate the application of TQM to the public sector.

The oil and gas industry is a complex sector with significant reach in terms of providing the energy needs of the global economy and the security, environmental and development consequences thereof. In particular, the sector is extremely important for the economic growth of emerging markets and developing countries. Furthermore, the life span of oil and gas resources is finite, with high health and safety risks and substantial environmental costs that require careful management and sustainability practices to ensure optimal extraction and utilisation of these resources. This book examines the challenges and opportunities in the oil and gas industry, in the context of emerging markets and developing economies. It provides comprehensive coverage of the management and sustainability practices of the sector, the environmental impact and sustainability of resources as well as the businesses that operate in the sector across the entire value chain. It addresses the current discourse on topics such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Green Economy, the Paris Agreement and Glasgow Climate Pact and concludes with a chapter on the future of the oil and gas industry. The discussions around energy and energy transitions in particular continue to gain momentum and the book provides a wide-reaching and up-to-date overview of the industry. The book introduces readers to the concepts and formal models of analysis in the oil and gas sector and will serve as a useful resource for students, scholars and researchers in operations, marketing, procurement and supply chain management, project management, health and safety management, environmental economics, natural resource economics, development finance, and development studies. Researchers and practitioners working in these areas will also find the book a useful reference material.

This timely book examines in detail the life-cycle of petroleum products, the environmental issues arising, and how the industry has responded to these challenges with the application of technology and organisation. Coverage is of the complete product life-cycle form production and refining of crude oil through to the use of the products and includes such topical issues as decommissioning of offshore oil installations. The oil industry produces a range of products without which modern civilisation could not exist; however, an increasingly environmentally aware society demands that products are manufactured without undue pollution or hazard to people. The ability and willingness of the industry to comply determines whether society continues to allow it a licence to operate. For each stage of a product life-cycle, the issues and constraints are identified - what they are, who is imposing them and why, their technical and financial implications. The technological solutions which have been found or are being developed are then outlined in a legal and commercial context. Written primarily for those working in the oil and related industries, this book also provides essential reference material for government and research institutions and all those with an interest in environmental technological issues.

In this book leading experts including George Box, Noriaki Kano, Yoshio Kondo, John Oakland and James Harrington, analyse and document various aspects of Total Quality Management. Contributions range from discussions of the principles, strategy, culture, leadership, eduction and benchmarking to world class experience and achieving excellence both in the manufacturing and service industries. With over 100 contributions this book is an invaluable resource for the total quality managment journey. It will be of special interest to educationalists, academics, senior managers and directors, and quality practitioners from both the public and private sectors.