Scaling QA Standards: How General Contractors Can Centralize Risk Control
As your construction business grows, so does your exposure. With more job sites, subcontractors, and QA workflows to manage, risk becomes harder to track, and easier to overlook. For large GCs, fragmented field data and inconsistent quality assurance are more than an operational headache. They’re a liability. That’s why leading contractors are turning to centralized QA systems. Here’s how a standardized, real-time approach to compaction data helps you scale risk control, not just your workload.
“70% of construction cost overruns stem from poor documentation, planning, or QA data”
The Problem with Scaling Without Standards
Most QA programs start with good intentions. But as companies grow into multiple regions with dozens of job sites, problems arise:
Subcontractors use different reporting formats
Local crews follow inconsistent test frequencies
Data is logged in siloed systems, or not at all
This leaves project executives and risk managers unable to see the full picture. Worse, it leads to inconsistent documentation that makes your company vulnerable.
The Risks of Fragmented QA
When QA is decentralized, liability multiplies.
Teams test to different thresholds
Field logs don’t sync with specs
Owners, insurers, and auditors face a confusing trail
According to a report by Dodge Data & Analytics, inconsistent QA/QC documentation is one of the top 3 reasons for claim escalation on large projects (Dodge SmartMarket Report).
Centralized QA Means Centralized Control
A centralized system gives you one source of truth across every job. That means:
Standardized field guidance, regardless of location
Unified data format for compliance and reporting
Dashboards and logs that executives and legal teams can trust
This is especially critical for publicly funded work or any project with third-party oversight.
How Compactica Makes It Happen
Compactica is built for scale. Whether you’re managing 5 jobs or 50, it gives you consistent, risk-proof QA on every site:
One mobile system for operators and subs
Live alerts and digital recordkeeping, accessible from anywhere
Job reports, compliance logs, and performance dashboards for regional managers and executives
And it integrates easily with your existing systems and SOPs.
Business Case: Better Data, Stronger Reputation
A 2023 McKinsey study found that companies that digitize and standardize QA processes across projects reduce construction claims by 22% and speed up closeout by up to 30% (McKinsey & Company).
More importantly, centralized data improves your reputation with:
Insurance providers
Legal teams
DOT and public clients
Project owners
Compactica doesn’t just give you control, it builds confidence across your entire ecosystem.
Ready to standardize your Earthworks QA workflows nationwide? Let’s talk about your enterprise rollout.
Or start small, request a Compactica pilot on your next project.
References
McKinsey & Company, Digital Innovation in Construction. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/engineering-construction-and-building-materials/our-insights/digital-innovation-in-construction
Dodge SmartMarket Report, Managing Risk in the Construction Industry (QA/QC focus). https://www.construction.com/toolkit/reports/smartmarket-reports
FMI Construction Risk Study, Risk Management Trends Among Top U.S. Contractors. https://www.fminet.com/insights/
Willis Towers Watson (WTW). Insurance Marketplace Realities: Spring 2024 Construction Update. https://www.wtwco.com/en-us/insights/2024/05/insurance-marketplace-realities-2024-spring-update-construction
Volvo Construction Equipment. Tips to Avoid Over-Compaction in Construction. (2025).
ConWize. The High Cost of Errors and Inaccurate Estimates in Construction. https://conwize.io/articles/the-high-cost-of-errors-and-inaccurate-estimates-in-construction-a-deep-dive-into-the-impact-on-win-rates-and-profits