Testing in Construction Projects

PMBOK v8 Definition

Testing is an organized and constructed investigation conducted to provide objective information about the quality of the product or service under test in accordance with the project requirements. The intent of testing is to find errors, defects, bugs, or other nonconformance problems in the product or service. In construction projects, testing may include cement strength, concrete workability tests, nondestructive tests at construction sites for testing the quality of hardened concrete structures, and soil tests.

Why It Matters for the Exam

Testing appears frequently on the PMI exam in questions about quality management, particularly regarding how to verify that project deliverables meet requirements. You will encounter testing in questions about the Quality Management knowledge area, specifically in the context of control quality processes and test planning. PMI tests your understanding that testing is industry-dependent and that early testing helps reduce the cost of fixing nonconforming components.

Key Points to Remember (for the exam)

• Purpose of Testing: An organized investigation to provide objective information about product or service quality in accordance with project requirements
• Primary Intent: Find errors, defects, bugs, or other nonconformance problems
• Timing: Performed throughout the project as components become available, and at the end on final deliverables
• Early Testing Benefit: Helps identify nonconformance problems and reduces the cost of fixing nonconforming components
• Industry Dependency: Different application areas require different tests (construction, software, manufacturing, engineering)
• Construction-Specific Tests: Cement strength, concrete workability tests, nondestructive tests for hardened concrete structures, soil tests
• Test Planning: During planning, the project team determines how to test or inspect to meet stakeholders' needs and expectations, as well as performance and reliability goals

Typical PMI Exam Example

A construction project manager is planning quality control activities for a new building. The team needs to verify that the concrete used in the foundation meets strength requirements. Which type of testing should be performed according to PMBOK v8? → Nondestructive tests at construction sites for testing the quality of hardened concrete structures, along with concrete workability tests and cement strength tests.

PMI Exam Traps

• Trap: Confusing testing with inspection

• Reality: Testing is an organized investigation to find defects; inspection is a separate technique focused on examining work products without necessarily conducting structured investigations

• Trap: Thinking testing only occurs at project completion

• Reality: Testing is performed throughout the project as components become available, not just at the end

• Trap: Assuming all industries use the same testing methods

• Reality: Testing is industry-dependent; construction uses strength tests and nondestructive tests, while software uses unit testing, integration testing, and alpha/beta tests

• Trap: Confusing the purpose of testing with validation

• Reality: Testing specifically finds nonconformance problems (defects, errors, bugs); validation is a broader concept about meeting stakeholder needs

Important PMI Connections

Quick Review Questions

1. What is the primary intent of testing according to PMBOK v8?

2. When should testing be performed during a project?

3. What are four examples of construction-specific tests mentioned in PMBOK v8?

4. What determines the type, amount, and extent of tests needed for a project?

5. What is the benefit of performing testing early in the project lifecycle?

PMBOK v8 Reference

Section 3.3.2 - Processes (Process Tailoring) Section on Testing/Product Evaluations (Quality Management context)