Quality Management in Transport Infrastructure Construction: A Case Study Application in Norway

The paper addresses the issue of quality management in large-scale infrastructure projects, with a specific focus on tunnel construction, where technical complexity and geotechnical risks represent critical factors. The primary objective of this work is to analyze modern approaches to quality management and to propose an effective control process, which is subsequently validated through a case study of the Norwegian highway tunnel. The study examines the development and application of an Inspection and Test Plan in compliance with strict Norwegian legislation and standards, particularly N500 and R761. Within the context of the Drill and Blast technological method, three standardized production cycles are defined—standard, water-control, and post-injection—enabling systematic and repeatable inspections. Special emphasis is placed on the digitalization of processes through a Common Data Environment and the Novade software application, which facilitates real-time data collection, transparent protocol approval, and the effective mitigation of human-error risks. The case study defines a process model for quality management in a CDE environment and, based on workflow mapping, demonstrates the potential of digitalization to accelerate approval processes, improve data traceability, and eliminate human errors during cyclic tunnel construction. The insights gained from Norwegian practice, which emphasizes detailed process specifications, can serve as significant inspiration for the modernization of quality management systems.