Elevating Construction Quality with Technology and Process Innovation

With experience leading quality acceptance programs on billion-dollar infrastructure projects like the TxDOT and FlatironDragados New Harbor Bridge, Barry Burks, P.E., is shaping how advanced technology integrates into quality workflows — helping clients reduce risk and accelerate inspection and testing while maintaining rigorous quality standards.

Tell us about your role at Ò°²ÝÊÓƵapp and how it connects to shaping solutions for transportation infrastructure.ÌýÌý

As the Construction Quality Acceptance Manager, my role begins with developing project-specific Quality Acceptance procedures within the Construction Quality Management Plan. These procedures establish how acceptance inspection and testing will be performed across a project’s construction lifecycle.

By embedding technology — such as digital inspection forms and automated error checking — directly into those processes, we create efficiencies that save time and money while maintaining the quality standards clients expect. That integration becomes especially important on large, complex transportation projects where schedule pressure is high and consistency across various types of work is critical.

Looking back, what pivotal experience most shaped your career in quality management?Ìý

Working with Dr. Garold Oberlender during my master’s program at Oklahoma State University was transformative. He taught me how reducing the duration of repetitive critical path activities can dramatically impact an entire project’s construction timeline.

That insight has driven my focus for the past thirty years: finding the smartest applications of technology to reduce the duration and cost of hold point activities by speeding up inspection and materials testing. It’s about identifying bottlenecks that slow everything down and systematically eliminate them through better tools and processes.

You’ll be speaking at the Ìýon Independent Quality Management (IQM). Why is IQM especially critical on P3 and progressive design-build projects?

On P3 and other alternative delivery projects, the risk profile is fundamentally different. Design and construction are happening in parallel, commercial implications are significant and decisions often need to be made quickly with imperfect information.

IQM provides a stabilizing influence in that environment. By operating independently from production pressure, IQM helps make sure speed does not come at the expense of long-term performance or durability. It builds confidence that acceptance decisions are grounded in objective, standardized evaluation — which is critical for owners, lenders and private partners.

On large P3 and progressive design-build projects, how does IQM help reduce risk for owners and private partners?

IQM plays a central role in risk mitigation by providing objective, third-party oversight for inspection, testing and acceptance. On alternative delivery projects, technical decisions often carry immediate schedule and financial consequences.

IQM makes sure those decisions are transparent, defensible and aligned with the owner’s standards and not just the ever-present short-term production goals. That independence helps make sure the investment is protected, not just during construction, but for decades after the project is delivered.

The Harbor Bridge Project involved fabrication of steel and precast concrete across numerous facilities. How does IQM help maintain consistency and aid in the management of complexity at that scale? Ìý

The complexity of the fabrication processes on projects like Harbor Bridge can magnify small disconnects. With fabrication occurring at more than a dozen locations across the country, loss of consistency is one of the biggest risks.

IQM provides a single, standardized framework for inspection, testing and acceptance — regardless of where the work is performed. Acting independently from the production teams, our quality staff serves as the connective tissue between fabrication, field construction and the project stakeholders.

A structured and consistent set of documents and reporting allowed us to identify trends early, resolve issues proactively and keep the acceptance process moving without surprises. On megaprojects, IQM isn’t about slowing production — it’s about helping the Design-Builder identify quality issues before they impact schedule and then working with them to identify the cause and support them in their development of corrective solutions.

How does technology improve transparency and decision-making for owners on large transportation projects?

Technology provides owners with near-real-time visibility into inspection results, test data and acceptance status of all types of work across the project. Digital inspection platforms eliminate information silos and reduce the risk of missed inspection hold points or undocumented decisions.

For projects with multiple sub-contractors and numerous fabrication locations, that transparency supports faster, more confident decision-making while preserving data integrity. All the stakeholders benefit from knowing the status of the acceptance of the work, where schedules may be at risk and what actions are being implemented to mitigate the problems.

What is the biggest challenge and opportunity you see in automation and technology adoption?

The biggest hurdles are economic justification and early implementation. Adopting new technologies often requires upfront investments in equipment, software and training that may take time to show returns.

The key is to present stakeholders with a clear, early picture of both the costs and the long-term benefits. When people understand the full value proposition, the likelihood of acceptance and successful implementation is improved. You need to build the business case alongside the technical case.

When clients roll out new technologies in QA/QC, how do you help make sure the processes deliver results?

Technology is only as good as the people using it and the processes supporting it. We focus on comprehensive training of staff at rollout and reinforce the importance of consistent processes with Pre-Activity meetings before each new work type begins.

Embedding the use of technology into daily workflows — and making certain teams understand why consistency matters — is what turns new tools into time savers.

Can you share a project that highlights how Ò°²ÝÊÓƵapp delivers quality through both process and innovation?

The Harbor Bridge project is a great example. At more than 3,200 feet long and 538 feet tall, it’s the longest concrete segmental cable-stayed bridge in North America. Coordinating quality testing and inspection plans across more than 15 fabrication facilities presented unique challenges.

We equipped our inspectors with tablets and digital inspection forms, allowing real-time reporting and automated error checking in the field. These efficiencies reduced documentation time, improved consistency and helped expedite the acceptance process.

What motivates you in your work every day?Ìý

For me, it’s seeing a well-thought-through procedure put into action in the field or lab and knowing it will lead to more timely acceptance of the work. That’s when preparation pays off and I know that we are doing our part to keep the project moving forward without unnecessary delays.

Every day, we’re contributing to infrastructure projects that our families and communities will rely on for decades. Knowing that our quality processes contribute to safer, more durable bridges, roads and facilities drives me.

Outside of work, where do you find inspiration?Ìý

I enjoy reading journal articles and watching videos and documentaries about emerging technologies across various fields of science and engineering. Seeing how others achieve success through innovation in their work motivates me to explore new approaches in mine.

Innovation comes from connecting ideas across disciplines and applying them in new contexts. Whether its materials science, automation or data analytics, there’s always something that can be adapted to improve construction quality processes.

Connecting in the Field: Meet Barry at the TDOT–ACEC Partnering Conference

This May, Barry Burks will share insights on the critical role of Independent Quality Management (IQM) in delivering large, complex transportation programs at the .

Drawing on his experience supporting the $1.2 billion TxDOT US 81 New Harbor Bridge project, Barry will highlight how independent quality acceptance contributes to more transparent decision-making, stronger collaboration and long-term project performance on P3 and alternative delivery projects. In this role, Ò°²ÝÊÓƵapp served as the Independent Quality Firm, providing construction inspection, materials testing and day-to-day oversight of quality acceptance in alignment with TxDOT’s Quality Acceptance Program.

His session will explore how disciplined quality processes, supported by experienced teams and modern tools, help navigate the complexity of megaprojects — reinforcing consistency, reducing risk and supporting safe, durable infrastructure.