Project Surveillance — Multi-Supplier Project Quality and Schedule Monitoring

What Is Surveillance?

Project surveillance manages surveillance activities under a single programme across projects involving several suppliers and sites. Unlike surveillance of a single supplier, its scope also covers coordination and consistency of reporting.

Why Is It Done?

The aim is to bring quality and schedule risk across the whole project into a single view. Instead of scattered reports from different suppliers, one consolidated picture suitable for decision-making is produced.

Who Requests It?

Owners of large investment projects
EPC contractors
Power plant and refinery projects
Infrastructure and transportation projects
Financing and insurance institutions

Scope of Surveillance

Development of the project quality plan and surveillance strategy
Supplier risk classification and determination of surveillance levels
Review and approval of ITPs
Planning and coordination of surveillance visits
Interface and compatibility control between suppliers
Monitoring of critical-path and long-lead-time items
Project-wide consolidation of nonconformities
Completion status of documentation packages (data books)
Shipping approvals and delivery tracking
Project-wide quality and schedule reporting

Related Standards

ISO/IEC 17020
ISO 10005
ISO 21500

Method and Equipment

Surveillance management and reporting system
Document control access
Site measurement equipment (during visits)
Photographic recording equipment

Surveillance Process

1Defining Scope and CriteriaThe order specification, the inspection and test plan (ITP), the delivery schedule and the reporting frequency are agreed with the buyer.
2Supplier AssessmentThe supplier's quality system, capacity, subcontractors and past performance are reviewed; a risk level is assigned.
3Surveillance PlanBased on the risk level, the frequency of site visits, the hold and witness points and the reporting calendar are planned.
4On-site SurveillanceThe surveyor attends the works during manufacturing, performing document checks, process observation and witnessing of inspections.
5Progress and Schedule MonitoringProgress against the plan is monitored; the risk of delay is identified early and reported to the buyer.
6Managing NonconformitiesDeviations found are reported, corrective action is requested and its close-out is followed up.
7Shipment Release and Close-outThe final inspection and the documentation package are checked; release for shipment is granted and a close-out report is issued.

Surveillance Report

Details of the survey company, the surveyor and the buyer
References to the order, the specification and the ITP
Date of the visit and scope of the surveillance
Findings of the document check
Stage of manufacture and progress status
Inspections and tests witnessed
Nonconformities found and the status of corrective action
Assessment of the schedule and the risk of delay
Photographic records
Recommendations for the next surveillance visit
Project scope and supplier list
Progress and quality status by supplier
Consolidated nonconformity list and trend
Schedule status of critical items
Risk assessment and recommendations
Periodic management summary

Limits of the Report

Surveillance does not remove the supplier's responsibility and does not assume liability for the quality of manufacture. The surveyor reports what was observed during the periods spent on site; production during the periods of absence falls outside the report. A surveillance report is neither an acceptance statement nor a guarantee; the inspection and acceptance provisions of the contract remain in force.

Accreditation

Surveillance activities are carried out under ISO/IEC 17020, which requires the impartiality of the survey body, the competence of its personnel and the validity of the survey methods. The impartiality rule is decisive: a survey body may not be a party to the trade in, or the manufacture of, the goods it surveys. EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation under ISO/IEC 17020, granted by accreditation bodies that are signatories to the ILAC mutual recognition arrangement; because accredited scope is defined per type of surveillance, it is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Scope and authorisations

Related Surveillance Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between supplier surveillance and project surveillance?

Supplier surveillance focuses on a single supplier and order. Project surveillance, on the other hand, manages a program covering all suppliers: it sets surveillance levels on a risk basis, coordinates visits, and consolidates findings at the project level.

Does surveillance reduce the supplier's responsibility?

No, it does not. The surveyor observes and reports on behalf of the buyer; the supplier remains responsible for the quality of manufacturing and compliance with the contract. A surveillance report is not a statement of acceptance.

Is the surveyor present on site continuously?

This depends on the level of surveillance. On critical projects, continuous (resident) surveillance is applied; on others, visits are made at specific hold points. Manufacturing carried out while the surveyor is not present falls outside the scope of the report, and this is clearly stated in the report.

How is the independence of the surveillance body ensured?

Surveillance is carried out under ISO/IEC 17020, which requires impartiality and the prevention of conflicts of interest. The surveillance body cannot be a party to the design or production of the manufacturing it surveys.