A quality management system is only as effective as management's dedication and insistence to adherence and accountability. Documentation and audit schedules aren't enough. The system will only be as effective as the people in the organization and the investment in training, inspiring and leading employees as they take responsibility for the system's operation and results.
The explosion of BP's Deepwater Horizon rig on April 20th, 2010 ranks as the biggest manmade environmental disaster in US history. The explosion killed 11 on-board workers, and discharged 4 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, before the leak was sealed on July 15th 2010. On top of widespread damage to Gulf marine wildlife and tourism industries, BP faced a slew of lawsuits, and forked out over $4.5 billion in fines and payments.
The overarching cause was a quality management failure. Contractors did not test the weak cement around the oil well, which failed to contain hydrocarbons within the reservoir and allowed flammable gas and liquids to flow up the production casing. Technicians misinterpreted fluid pressure tests, and gas passed through the ventilation system into the engine room, paving the way for ignition. After the explosion, the oil rig's blow-out preventer located on the sea-bed failed to activate and seal the well.
Three corporations were implicated: BP for the flawed well design, Transocean as the owners of the rig, and Halliburton as the contractor who provided the bungled cements.
Question.
How will you ensure an efficient and effective quality management processes and procedures in you projects If you were working at BP. Relate all submissions to the case.
Please sight your sources of information. You are not to copy and paste from your sources. Provide your own thoughts based off your sources.