Quality Management and Professional Practice in Architectural Firms in Bahrain: Role of ISO 9001 in Improving Architectural Project Delivery

Abstract

Quality management is an essential element of professional performance in many sectors, such as engineering, architecture, and construction. Quality management standards, such as ISO 9001:2015, provide tools for controlling the documents, project monitoring, and risk management to support constant improvement. In Bahrain, the Council for Regulating the Practice of Engineering Professions (CRPEP) manages the regulation of professional licensing of engineers and architectural firms, and it does not incorporate any quality management systems (QMS). However, limited research examines to what extent CRPEP aligns with QMS standards in architectural firms. This raises an important question regarding the potential outcomes of integrating such a system within a professional regulatory framework by conducting interviews with professionals in architectural firms in Bahrain. This study investigates the relationship between the ISO 9001 quality management system and CRPEP regulations and explores whether aligning them could improve project delivery and strengthen professional practice.