ASQ CCQM Practice Exam Questions & Answers

A. Project delivery, contract, and payment models; 1. Project delivery methods; Identify various types of clients (e.g., private, commercial, federal, state, municipal, and; international) and their use of project delivery methods, such as Engineering, Procurement,; Construction Management (EPCM), Design-Bid-Build (DBB), Design-Build (DB), Design, Build,; Finance, and Maintain (DBFM), Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), and Construction; Manager for Fee (CMFF). Understand project lifecycle phases (e.g., project initiation, project; planning, project execution, monitoring & control, and project closeout) align with the project; delivery method. (Understand); 2. Contract types; Understand various types and sources of contracts (e.g., Public-Private Partnership (P3), DesignBuild Institute of America (DBIA), American Institute of Architects (AIA), International Federation; of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), lump sum, subcontract, consultant agreement, consultant staffing; agreement, joint venture contracts, and purchase orders) along with their quality requirements.; Recognize contract terms and conditions (e.g., liquidated damages [LDs], liquidated and; ascertained damages [LADs], and general damages [GDs]). (Understand); 3. Payment models and methods; Understand the risks associated with and the differences between payment; models (e.g., unit rates and reimbursable costs) and methods (e.g.,; Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). (Understand); 4. Payment documentation requirements; Understand payment documentation requirements, such as schedule of values,; percent completion determination (cost complete vs. work complete), retainage,; billing methods, and billing terms.

Sample question from this domain above: Q1

A. Project delivery, contract, and payment models; 1. Project delivery methods; Identify various types of clients (e.g., private, commercial, federal, state, municipal, and; international) and their use of project delivery methods, such as Engineering, Procurement,; Construction Management (EPCM), Design-Bid-Build (DBB), Design-Build (DB), Design, Build,; Finance, and Maintain (DBFM), Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), and Construction; Manager for Fee (CMFF). Understand project lifecycle phases (e.g., project initiation, project; planning, project execution, monitoring & control, and project closeout) align with the project; delivery method. (Understand); 2. Contract types; Understand various types and sources of contracts (e.g., Public-Private Partnership (P3), DesignBuild Institute of America (DBIA), American Institute of Architects (AIA), International Federation; of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), lump sum, subcontract, consultant agreement, consultant staffing; agreement, joint venture contracts, and purchase orders) along with their quality requirements.; Recognize contract terms and conditions (e.g., liquidated damages [LDs], liquidated and; ascertained damages [LADs], and general damages [GDs]). (Understand); 3. Payment models and methods; Understand the risks associated with and the differences between payment; models (e.g., unit rates and reimbursable costs) and methods (e.g.,; Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). (Understand); 4. Payment documentation requirements; Understand payment documentation requirements, such as schedule of values,; percent completion determination (cost complete vs. work complete), retainage,; billing methods, and billing terms.; II. Planning Phase (30 Questions); A. Strategic quality planning; 1. Project quality strategy development; Formulate a comprehensive project quality strategy, integrating stakeholder requirements (stated; and implied), procurement requirements, contracting approaches, and regulatory compliance; based on Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), and securing management commitment. Establish; key performance indicators (KPIs) to align with each element of the quality strategy. (Create); 2. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices; Apply sustainable practices and programs (e.g., LEED®, ENERGY STAR®, and Cradle to Cradle; Certification), social responsibility, and governance standards to enhance the overall quality and; long-term viability of projects. (Apply); 3. Alignment of quality plan with other project plans; Create the quality plan, ensuring alignment with the quality strategy and technology strategy.; Align the quality plan with other project plans, such as the Health, Safety, and Environment; (HSE) Plan, Execution Plan, Communication Plan, Project Schedule, and Risk Management Plan.; (Create); B. Quality management systems (QMS); 1. Industry standards; Analyze the quality management system (QMS) to ensure it follows industry standards and; understand how it complies with international standards (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 10006, ISO; 14001, and ISO 45001) to deliver quality outcomes. (Analyze); 2. Quality Management Plan; Create a project-specific quality management plan (QMP) that complies with the appropriate; QMS, incorporating policies and procedures (e.g., nonconformance control procedures,; inspection and testing procedures, and method statements). Integrate PMBOK® Guide principles; and system assurance practices into the development of the QMS and QMP. (Create); 3. Quality assurance (QA); Develop and implement quality assurance (QA) practices to verify the project meets quality; specifications and is compliant with applicable standards by establishing standardized quality; policies and procedures. (Create); 4. Quality control (QC); Develop and implement quality control (QC) measures such as an inspection and test plan to; ensure compliance with requirements. (Create)

Sample question from this domain above: Q5

1. Quality objectives; Examine the quality objectives set by the client, owner, or user from the initial scope agreement; and determine how these objectives align with design inputs. Consider the delivery method and; contract when reviewing design phase/development planning. (Analyze); 2. Coordination of functional and non-functional requirements; Explain the coordination between functional (e.g., foundation) and nonfunctional (e.g., finish); requirements and illustrate their application at various levels, such as system and component.; Relate these requirements to industry standards and demonstrate their relationship to overarching; quality objectives. (Apply); 3. Design lessons learned and best practices; Apply lessons learned from previous projects and industry best practices to design inputs.; Understand the impact of value engineering on design. (Apply); B. Design Process; 1. Stakeholder involvement; Determine key stakeholders involved in the design process for each discipline. Collaborate with; the subject matter experts from each discipline responsible for making design decisions. Analyze; the impact of these design decisions on quality. (Analyze); 2. Application of QMS in design feedback; Apply QMS procedures and interdisciplinary reviews to address feedback related to quality; requirements in the design process. (Analyze); 3. Functionality and constructability reviews; Participate in reviews that assess the design’s functionality and constructability. Provide quality; inputs that focus on various aspects, such as complexity, inspectability, testability, reliability,; durability, survivability, interoperability, compatibility, maintainability, and comparative cost of; ownership. (Analyze); C. Design outputs; 1. Quality objectives review; Apply verification and validation to design outputs to evaluate whether quality objectives are met.; (Apply); 2. Cross-disciplinary design review; Support the design review process across multiple disciplines to identify and address gaps; in design outputs using a design review checklist. Determine and address conflicts within the; overarching system design, among individual component teams, and in interactions between; component teams. (Analyze); 3. Criticality levels and inspection; Analyze the proposed criticality levels for equipment and material. Identify appropriate inspection; levels and methods (e.g., in-process inspection and third-party design review) based on criticality; and budget considerations. (Analyze); D. Quality controls in design; 1. Project controls; Evaluate the effectiveness of project controls, including the timeline, in meeting the quality; expectations of stakeholders, such as the client, owner, or user. (Evaluate); 2. Design review output; Examine the design review output received at each phase (e.g., 30%, 60%, 90%) to determine; its alignment with the expectations of stakeholders, such as the client, owner, or user. (Analyze); 3. Design changes; Understand sources of design change communication, including requests for proposals (RFPs),; change order directives, addenda, and requests for information (RFIs). Assess and track the; impact of proposed design changes and determine the effectiveness of incorporating any agreed upon changes into the contract. (Analyze); 4. Design verification and validation; Understand design verification and validation and understand how the design output conforms to; the design input through the use of reviews, inspections, and testing. (Understand); E. Measurement and monitoring; 1. Design monitoring; Examine design effectiveness and progress at various gates (e.g., schematic design (SD), design; development (DD), construction documents (CD)) to align with the quality objectives and schedule.; Address any deviations or issues discovered at each gate. (Analyze); 2. Peer reviews; Identify the necessity of peer reviews (e.g., design peer reviews and third-party consultant; reviews), evaluate their input, and incorporate them into the quality documentation process.; (Evaluate); 3. Quality documentation; Collaborate with the design review facilitator to document all quality-related activities, decisions,; and changes, ensuring a comprehensive record for evaluating the design’s adherence to quality; standards. (Evaluate)

Sample question from this domain above: Q7

A. Quality requirements; 1. Quality requirements for procurement; Collaborate with engineering teams to design functional and nonfunctional quality requirements; for the procurement of specific products or services. Analyze if these requirements are clearly; defined, complete, correct, compliant, and coordinated. (Analyze); 2. Trade partner requirement alignment; Develop a strategy, incorporating methodologies such as first article inspection (FAI) and factory; acceptance testing (FAT), to determine whether the trade partner’s inspection and testing plan; aligns with established quality requirements. Incorporate a rigorous review process for the; inspection and test plans to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. Additionally, integrate specific; quality requirements for subcontractors and vendors, focusing on their scope of work, historical; performance, compliance with standards, and the thoroughness of their documentation and; plans. (Create); B. Resource management; 1. Pre-activity meetings; Schedule, implement, and oversee pre-activity meetings (e.g., pre-assembly, pre-inspection,; quality kick-off) to review the project’s requirements with the relevant stakeholders. (Evaluate); 2. Material control and resource identification; Incorporate material control, material traceability, and vendor requirements into the project prior; to the commencement of work. Evaluate the resources needed for various inspections (e.g., self-inspection and certification, third-party inspection), including those conducted at the source and; as mandated by regulations. (Evaluate); 3. Resource mobilization and management; Integrate resource qualification and training, along with warehouse quality and material; management into the resource management process. Assess the need for specific resources; tailored to each inspection type, ensuring that these resources are available and properly; allocated, and aligned with the established inspection and test plan. (Evaluate); C. Risk management; 1. Risk identification and analysis; Analyze various risk identification and assessment tools, including failure mode and effects; analysis (FMEA), fault tree analysis (FTA), and strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats (SWOT); analysis. Examine risks based on quantitative and qualitative data related to potential impact on; the project. (Analyze); 2. Risk treatment; Evaluate risk mitigation strategies such as risk transfer, retention, acceptance, and avoidance.; (Evaluate); 3. Risk monitoring; Use risk monitoring tools (e.g., risk-based audit programs) and perform surveillance audits; to regularly evaluate identified risks and monitor key factors (e.g., cost, time, safety, supplier; performance), and the criticality of material and equipment. (Evaluate); D. Quality reporting; 1. Review and interpretation of quality documents; Evaluate inspection and test reports, quality records, and manufacturers’ data books to ensure; traceability. Assess conformance with product specifications and quality criteria. (Evaluate); 2. Documentation and communication of quality insights; Evaluate and document key insights from the quality management process to inform future; actions. Communicate quality-related insights and determine the appropriate timing, escalation,; and method to alert stakeholders about significant quality issues. (Evaluate); 3. Vendor performance evaluation; Analyze vendor performance periodically using quality key performance indicators (KPIs) and use; supplier performance incentives (e.g., awards, more wallet share, premium). (Analyze)

Sample question from this domain above: Q4

A. Quality plan deployment; 1. Construction plans and specifications; Assess plans and specifications (e.g., permanent and temporary work) about the project’s; quality plan to meet established quality standards. (Evaluate); 2. Required permits; Understand the importance of securing all essential permits before project commencement.; (Understand); 3. Construction submittals; Review various types of construction submittals (e.g., action and deferred/delegated), taking into; consideration the interdependency across trades and the project’s quality plan and standards.; (Apply); 4. Material evaluation; Evaluate materials to verify their conformity to project specifications. (Evaluate); 5. Requests for information or changes; Participate in the process of tracking requests for information (RFIs), field change requests (FCRs),; and design change requests (DCRs) to ensure the project remains on track and that objectives; adapt when necessary. (Apply); B. Process management; 1. Risk-based inspection and testing strategy; Develop a risk-based inspection and testing strategy by identifying risks. Establish priorities; for inspections, including modifications based on changes in project requirements (e.g., scope; modifications), and testing in line with specifications (e.g., concrete testing) and accepted; standards or regulations (e.g., welding certifications). (Create); 2. Quality management processes; Identify inspection processes for various stages, including source, initial, intermediate, and; continuous. Prioritize program inspections and tests based on their criticality, respective project; stages, and potential impact on overall project quality, ensuring alignment with the project’s; evolving needs and scope changes. Identify the need for procedures for specialized tasks, such; as welding, heat treatment, coating, and soldering. (Evaluate); 3. Quality control and monitoring; Develop a system to address nonconformances, manage nonconformance reports (NCRs) and; corrective action requests (CARs), and implement corrective and preventive action (CAPA). Design; quality protocols and establish criteria for stop-work notices. Establish a robust framework for; maintaining quality records. Design a strategy for conducting site quality audits and create a; mechanism for generating and distributing quality reports. (Create); C. Destructive and nondestructive tests; Determine the appropriate scenarios for using destructive and nondestructive test methods and; verify those performing the tests are accredited or certified. (Evaluate); D. Compliance management; 1. Laboratory accreditation; Evaluate laboratory accreditation and conduct periodic reviews or surveillance audits based on; project quality requirements. (Evaluate); 2. Compliance monitoring; Assess compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, standards, and codes,; and conformance to specifications, procedures, and drawings. Document defects and; nonconformities, and collaborate with technical authorities and engineering disciplines to review,; disposition, and resolve identified nonconformities. (Evaluate); 3. Regulatory body or Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ); Conduct regulatory body or AHJ reviews and audits to assess adherence to established criteria; and maintain proper documentation of reviews and audits. (Analyze); E. Quality monitoring and reporting; 1. Acceptance criteria definition and implementation; Establish criteria for accepting work at various stages, such as mock-up inspection and testing,; initial inspection and testing, work-in-process inspection, punch list inspection, and final; inspection, testing, and commissioning. Integrate material verification at each stage to assess; if materials meet project specifications and quality standards. Apply escalation procedures to; address materials that do not meet established acceptance criteria. (Evaluate); 2. Reporting and analysis; Design periodic reports and conduct statistical analyses to identify quality trends and assess; waste elimination. (Evaluate); 3. Meetings and participation; Organize pre-inspection meetings that include quality meeting sample agenda items that address; key topics, such as upcoming inspections, current quality metrics, recent findings, and open; issues. (Evaluate); 4. Lessons and improvements; Incorporate lessons learned from previous projects into the quality monitoring and reporting; process. Document and communicate these lessons learned for future projects. Develop strategies; to assess and manage quality risks. Engage in root cause analyses and investigations to; understand underlying quality issues. Develop quality improvement programs based on identified; needs and insights. (Evaluate); 5. Levels of commissioning; Understand and determine when to use the 5-level (factory acceptance test, component; verification, system construction, individual system, and major equipment operation verification,; integrated system testing) and 8-level (preparation, design, pre-construction, construction,; commissioning of services, pre-handover, initial occupation, post-occupancy care) commissioning; frameworks. (Evaluate)

Sample question from this domain above: Q3

A. Documentation management; 1. Impact assessment and compliance; Evaluate the potential impact arising from the demobilization of quality resources. Review and; assess inspection and test records related to safety critical equipment to determine if they are; compliant with required standards. Confirm how final documentation will be transferred to the; client (e.g., digital platforms, electronically, and hard copy). (Evaluate); 2. Required documentation; Maintain comprehensive documentation throughout the project’s duration, including records of all; activities and changes. (Apply); 3. Nonconforming work; Ensure all work not conforming to contract specifications (i.e., punch list) is closed. (Evaluate); 4. Quality deliverables verification; Verify the completeness of all quality deliverables. (Evaluate); 5. Final certification; Facilitate the process for obtaining final certification, ensuring inclusion and maintenance of all; documentation related to each closeout milestone and stage (e.g., beneficial occupancy/use,; substantial completion, and final completion). Use the current version of Issued for Construction; (IFCs) documents. (Evaluate); 6. Final turnover and closeout documentation; Audit the final turnover plan and related closeout documentation, including permit closeout,; operations and maintenance manuals, as-built drawings, attic stock / spare parts records,; commissioning reports, and owner training materials. Confirm all quality inspection and test; records are reviewed and validated for fitness for use. (Evaluate); 7. Warranties; Implement effective communication regarding the warranty program and documentation or; warranty work to all relevant stakeholders. (Evaluate)

Sample question from this domain above: Q2

A. Sustaining quality requirements; Prepare quality objectives required for operations and maintenance (O&M) based on customer; expectations. Understand how in-contract and warranty maintenance programs are used; throughout the project lifecycle. Report future O&M inspections and testing strategies needed; (e.g., building component health, risk-based) to the design team. (Apply); B. Business continuity; Provide inputs for facility shutdown plans, considering both planned (e.g., O&M-required) and; unplanned events (e.g., weather or disaster-related incidents). Align the quality plan with the; business continuity plan for operational resilience. Apply drills and simulations to test these plans.; Monitor the quality-related impacts resulting from shutdowns. (Apply)

A. ASQ Code of Ethics; Demonstrate appropriate behaviors and actions that align with the ASQ Code of Ethics.; (Analyze); B. Stakeholder analysis and alignment; Identify the perspectives, needs, and objectives of various internal and external stakeholders.; Integrate collaboration and negotiation techniques to align the organization’s strategic objectives; and stakeholder expectations. (Apply); C. Team building; 1. Vision development; Collaborate with stakeholders to adopt quality goals and a clear vision for a team or project.; (Apply); 2. Stages of team development; Identify and distinguish between the stages of team development: forming, storming, norming,; performing, and adjourning. (Analyze); 3. Effective team dynamics and communication; Employ various communication techniques (e.g., verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual) and; active listening. Collaborate with multiple groups (e.g., designers, project management, and craft; teams). Implement the Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed (RACI) Matrix to clarify; roles and responsibilities and streamline decision-making processes. Understand decision-making; pitfalls (e.g., groupthink and power dynamics) to promote healthy team dynamics and achieve; project objectives. Resolve conflicts through established procedures. (Apply); D. Change management; 1. Organizational culture; Define and explain the factors that shape an organization’s culture. (Apply); 2. Change management strategies; Analyze and provide input to various change management strategies to overcome organizational; roadblocks, adapt to global changes, assess the achieved change levels, and review outcomes; for effectiveness. (Analyze); E. Cost of Quality (CoQ); 1. Cost of Quality (CoQ) analysis; Examine the methods and sources for collecting CoQ data. Interpret the CoQ data to derive; meaningful insights. Report and communicate findings from the CoQ data analysis. (Analyze); 2. Improvement plans; Incorporate CoQ as a foundation for improvement methodology, alongside Lean, Six Sigma; (e.g., DMAIC), and Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge (SoPK). Identify areas for; improvement from CoQ data analysis, and participate in the improvement plan to address these,; integrating the plan with existing business processes. Evaluate the effectiveness and applicability; of CoQ tools and methodologies. (Evaluate); 3. Organizational goals; Assess how CoQ improvement efforts align with organizational goals. Monitor and measure; the progress made towards achieving organizational goals. Evaluate the steps taken to achieve; organizational goals based on CoQ improvements. (Evaluate); F. Customer satisfaction; 1. Customer feedback systems; Apply feedback collection tools, such listening posts, focus groups, complaint logs, warranty; data, surveys, and interviews to capture positive and negative feedback. (Apply); 2. Customer value analysis; Analyze a customer value analysis to determine the financial impact of customer retention and the; potential consequences of customer attrition. (Analyze); 3. Customer experience enhancement; Evaluate corrective strategies and proactive methods to enhance customer satisfaction, loyalty,; and retention. (Evaluate); G. Quality management tools; 1. Quality tools; Select the appropriate tool and evaluate the output from the seven classic quality tools (Pareto; charts, cause and effect diagrams, flowcharts, control charts, check sheets, scatter diagrams, and; histograms) as preventive measures, analyze root causes, and problem-solve. (Evaluate); 2. Learning and best practices analysis; Incorporate after-action reviews, and root cause analysis (RCA) meetings to critically assess; project outcomes and identify lessons learned from all phases of the project, identifying both; successes and areas for improvement. Analyze the critical success factors that led to best; practices being implemented within the project. Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to; systematically track and assess the impact of implemented improvements and evaluate strategies; to reinforce and replicate these improvements across future projects. (Evaluate); 3. Knowledge management analysis; Document the strategies and outcomes of knowledge management throughout the project. (Apply)

Sample question from this domain above: Q6