Corey S Zussman
As a forensic architect registered in several states, Corey Zussman has practiced in the construction industry for more than 30 years. He specializes in the building envelope, restoration, preservation, life safety, and interior finishes. While working on over 2000 projects, Corey conducts constructability reviews, pre-installation meetings, comprehensive envelope meetings, and construction observations. He has also become known for providing educational opportunities throughout the industry and has produced more than 200 "lessons learned" papers. Topics include building envelope and life safety concerns, enabling Corey to proactively address issues during design review, pre-construction, and construction. In addition, he has over 15 industry articles about building envelope and life safety topics. He is also a frequent presenter at local and national conferences and associations with over 50 AIA accredited presentations.
Navigating Unforeseen Quality Issues and Key Metrics for Success
Construction is inherently unpredictable, as each project presents unique challenges, even when replicating the same building design. Factors such as location, labor availability, weather conditions, and material quality introduce variables that can lead to unforeseen quality issues. My approach to mitigating these issues is proactive and data-driven, grounded in lessons learned from past projects and collaboration with peers. I have developed a set of unique metrics to track both the design and construction phases of each project. By breaking down projects into six or seven key attributes and tracking quality metrics such as cost of quality, correction time, issue frequency, and severity, I am able to conduct comparative reviews of trade contractors. This helps predict their success based on historical performance.
Managing Risks in Quality Assurance and Control
Effective risk management is central to my quality program, which is continually updated based on new data. Over the years, my primary focus has been on water infiltration during construction and flooring issues—two significant risk areas. I have developed over 200 Quality Bulletins that address a wide range of construction risks and offer mitigation strategies. These bulletins form the foundation for discussions during key project phases, including drawing reviews, pre-installation meetings, construction mock-ups, and on-site inspections.
“Clear and effective communication is essential for ensuring quality standards across all departments.”
The Role of Technology in Enhancing Quality Programs
My journey with quality assurance began modestly, using photographs and word processors to document job site reviews without any real data tracking capabilities. Over time, I collaborated with spreadsheet experts and programmers to build tracking mechanisms that enabled individual project monitoring as well as company-wide analysis. Eventually, I transitioned to a web-based program that offers greater control over data management. Looking to the future, I am particularly excited about the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance predictive accuracy, enabling us to focus on high-risk areas while keeping an eye on lower-risk factors that might escalate into significant issues.
Resource Allocation and Maintaining High Standards
A key part of my role is being a resource for project teams, with an emphasis on education. Once a quality program is well-established and embedded into the company’s culture, aligning trade contractors with these standards becomes easier. This, in turn, reduces the need for continuous resource allocation to established teams, allowing me to concentrate on onboarding new employees and integrating new trade contractors into the fold.
Fostering Communication for Quality Assurance
“Clear and effective communication is essential for ensuring quality standards across all departments.” I emphasize the importance of photo documentation and quality bulletins, which are shared with teams at crucial project stages—such as preconstruction, mock-ups, and pre-installation meetings. Most construction professionals value straightforward and concise direction, which is why I ensure that all documentation is clear, precise, and relevant to the task at hand.
Emerging Trends in Quality Assurance
In the coming years, I anticipate an increased emphasis on tracking metrics and the application of AI in construction. Small, internal AI models are likely to play a key role as quality departments refine their methods for tracking and storing relevant data. Advanced construction programs will further streamline data collection and analysis, allowing for predictive discussions on quality issues based on trends observed within individual companies and across common project attributes.
Advice for Building a Career in Construction
For those looking to build a career in the construction industry, my advice is simple: educate, teach, and connect. First, build a solid foundation by learning the principles of construction and staying current with industry trends. Second, once you feel confident in your expertise, reach out to teach others—whether through formal programs or peer mentoring. Teaching not only deepens your understanding but also allows you to connect with your passion in a meaningful way. Finally, prioritize human connections over digital communication. Face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and attending industry events can help you build lasting professional relationships and enhance your career trajectory.
