quality assurance policy

Quality Assurance Statement

TEN is a multidisciplinary design house specialising in interior architecture and design, as well as FF&E design, specification and procurement. Our global design houses are located in London (UK), Dubai (UAE) and Riyadh (KSA).

Our key objective is to seek excellence in every aspect of our work and practice. We aim to maintain honour and mutual respect with a professional approach in relations between clients, members of our company and collaborators. By doing so, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients and society at large by delivering a superior service every time.

We seek to create conditions where people of high ability and high ideals, who share in our aims and objectives, are attracted to work with us. We encourage creativity, skill sharing, team work, professional and personal development. We operate in a manner that allows people freedom and flexibility to use their skills to the full.

We continually seek to improve our performance and therefore the service given to our clients. It is our policy to give clear instructions, which are necessary to facilitate the planning, and execution of projects to the required quality and to meet the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001.

Project Quality Plan

Every TEN project includes a Project Quality Plan (PQP) established at the beginning of the project. The PQP includes detailed project information outlining the requirements of the brief, set project objectives, budget, preliminary project programmes and schedules and the organization of resources. The PQP records any client changes with respect to this information. The PQP identifies information, as it is to be prepared at specific design stages and records relevant internal checking and approval procedures. The PQP records the structure of the project filing system of paper hard copies, digital computer files, file archiving and back-up procedures. The PQP is regularly reviewed and revised as necessary to suit the changing demands of the project.

In addition to the PQP file, TEN regularly reviews the procedures for setting out the processes of project work, the responsibilities for them and the type and methods in which records are kept.

Approach

In order to maintain this approach to produce innovative, high quality work, it is necessary to ensure that TEN protocols are followed to make the most efficient use of time to maximise time for design and delivery. The following quality control and management procedures are implemented throughout our 7 stages of design (from concept to post completion) of each project to ensure that quality is maintained and the delivery of each project is assessed after completion in order to improve services in the future.

Every TEN project starts with an assesment of the commercial aspirations of the client while meeting the needs of the resident with creative solutions. Our designs draws inspiration from the broader cultural context of each project, but also strives to to enhance the environmental, social and economical sustainability of the spaces we create. This approach has generated a successful portfolio of work noted for its inspired manipulation of space, inventive use of materials and the ability to create profound emotional and sensory experiences for its users.

Our client base is not unanimously in favour of formal Quality Assurance (QA) arrangements which has to date not encouraged us to seek accreditation. TEN does however have several systems in place to monitor project quality.

Resourcing

TEN London is a boutique design house consistng of 13 designers, creatives and entrepreneurs dedicated to excellence in all aspects of our work across. Our on-the-ground teams in London, Dubai and Riyadh allows us to deliver excellence in service, fast turn- around times and local insights.

Programme Control

Realistic planning of design stages, allowing adequate periods for cost analysis, consultant input and client approval is essential to achieving project program targets. All potential obstacles to project progress must be identified at the earliest stages, such statutory consents or in the case of existing buildings, special consideration to be made for building structure, mechanical services and accessibility. This, combined with a clear team commitment to communication and adherence to deadlines, will minimise programme slippage.

Communication

Excellent design and project execution results from an excellent client-designer relationship and consistent, thorough and open communication amongst the project team for the duration of a project. Clear lines of communication are established at the outset of the project as well as an overall project programme and project team meeting schedule.

Meetings are generally minuted by TEN unless other parties are assuming this role and distributed to the client and relevant parties. All TEN telephone conversations are noted and when necessary, distributed. All correspondence with consultants and statutory
and other bodies are copied to the client. TEN maintains open communication within the project team, briefing individuals for tasks and clarifying the methods to be used as appropriate to the work at hand.

Project Filing

As outlined in the PQP a full paper filing system is maintained throughout the project in addition to all digitally saved files to ensure a clear audit trail relating to all decisions and correspondence. All digitally saved files and project work are regularly backed up and where necessary off-site storage arrangements are made. Standard systems of drawing revisions and drawing issue records are also maintained in full.

Project Reviews

TEN regularly conducts formal internal reviews of project work carried out by members of staff. These reviews are used to monitor project performance against the requirements of the PQP, and that overall TEN project standards are maintained. It is at this time that technical aspects of the design including health and safety are checked and verified. TEN internal reviews are minuted and filed with project data to ensure continuity.

For more information:

Send us an email: info@weareten.co
Give us a call: +44 (0)2079711310
Find us: The Studio, 17 Cellini Street, Nine Elms, London, SW8 2FQ