Blog

Behind every building lies a process of meticulous planning, coordination, and a commitment to getting the details right. Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) are at the heart of every successful construction project, helping to ensure buildings are safe, durable, perform as intended, meet life safety requirements, and stand the test of time.

We spoke with Corey Zussman, QA/QC Vice President at AECOM Hunt Construction, to learn more about his career journey, the technologies shaping quality management, and why collaboration remains essential to delivering safe, high-performing buildings.

About Corey Zussman:

As a forensic architect registered in several states, Corey Zussman has practiced in the construction industry for more than 30 years. He specializes in the building envelope, restoration, preservation, life safety, and interior finishes. While working on over 2000 projects, Corey conducts constructability reviews, pre-installation meetings, comprehensive envelope meetings, and construction observations. He has also become known for providing educational opportunities throughout the industry and has produced more than 200 "lessons learned" papers. Topics include building envelope and life safety concerns, enabling Corey to proactively address issues during design review, pre-construction, and construction. In addition, he has over 20 industry articles about building envelope, life safety, and interior topics. He is also a frequent presenter at local and national conferences and associations with over 60 AIA accredited presentations.

1.      Can you tell us about your career journey and how you came to specialise in QA/QC?

“I’ve been a licensed architect for over 30 years, and I also have an MBA with a focus on quality systems. I started out on the traditional path, spending about 15 years working in architecture, first with design firms, then with a large hospital system here in Chicago, and later at a developer in Chicago. My shift into QA/QC really came when I had the opportunity to join a general contractor and help develop and implement their quality programs. That experience let me step back and look at projects differently, focusing not just on design, but on how things actually get built and perform over time. Earlier in my career, I’d also done a lot of work in restoration, preservation, and forensics, which gave me a strong appreciation for how and why buildings fail. That’s really where I started to understand how critical the building envelope is. It’s not just about good design, it’s about getting the details right and making sure all the systems work together the way they’re intended to. Over the years, through ongoing education and reviewing a lot of projects, I’ve continued to build on that foundation. That’s really how I ended up specializing in QA/QC, focusing on making sure buildings are put together the right way and perform the way they’re supposed to over the long term.”

2.      How do you see technology shaping quality assurance and quality control in the construction sector over the coming years?

“When I first started, having a digital camera on a job site felt like cutting-edge technology for QA/QC. Today, the tools we have are on a completely different level. We’re now using a wide range of imaging technologies and formats to document projects, even before construction begins, including things like augmented reality to visualize and coordinate work ahead of time. We also have robotic layout tools that can literally lay out a project overnight, which improves accuracy and helps eliminate a lot of the variability you used to see in the field. Another big shift is the use of data. We’re tracking far more metrics than we ever did before—both at the project level and across the entire organization. With the addition of AI, we analyze the data much faster and start to see patterns that help guide decision-making. It’s helping us better understand what really matters, what needs closer attention, and where potential issues might come from before they actually show up in the field. All of this is also helping us be more focused in how we communicate with the design team—especially in terms of what’s worth elevating to the architect based on the type of project and the specific risks involved. Overall, technology is allowing QA/QC to be more proactive instead of reactive, which is really where the biggest value is.”

3.      What role does collaboration between owners, designers, contractors, and subcontractors play in ensuring life safety and effective firestopping?

“Preplanning needs to be treated with the level of importance it deserves. Without strong coordination early, we see failed submittals, incorrect installations, and field decisions that don’t align with code or tested systems, creating real life safety risk. I make it a point to meet with the team at least once, if not twice, to walk through penetrations and limitations of installation through the partitions, review system limitations, and make sure everyone understands how the firestopping is actually going to be installed.”

4.      Having produced over 200 ‘Lessons Learned’ papers, do you feel the construction industry is effectively applying these insights, or is there still a gap between knowledge and practice?

“I believe the industry has a better understanding of the issues and how to solve them; however, execution across all parties is still a challenge. Part of my role in QA/QC is to introduce or reintroduce those lessons learned at the right time to the right people. I am seeing progress across the country, and there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing those details and lessons actually implemented in the manufacturer information, drawings or the field.”

5.      For young architects, engineers, and construction professionals attending Chicago Build, what advice would you give them as they begin their careers in the industry?

“Ask questions early and don’t be afraid to get into the details. Get out into the field as much as you can, because the drawings only tell part of the story, real understanding comes from seeing how things are actually built and coordinated, and by asking the field crews how. Most issues in this industry come from gaps in coordination and understanding, not a lack of knowledge. If you focus on how things come together and work with the full team, you’ll set yourself apart pretty quickly…just be willing to make mistakes along the way.”

Corey’s insights highlights the value of collaboration for today’s construction industry: while technology is helping teams become more proactive and data-driven, successful project delivery still depends on communication, coordination, and continuous learning. His emphasis on early coordination between owners, designers, contractors, and subcontractors demonstrates why engaging all stakeholders from the outset is essential to project success.

For those new to the industry, Corey’s advice is to gain a real world understanding of construction by getting out into the field and asking questions. Understanding how buildings are actually constructed, and how different teams collaborate to solve problems, is invaluable to building a successful career.

We extend our sincere thanks to Corey Zussman for sharing his expertise and experiences.

At Chicago Build 2026, industry leaders will come together to discuss the latest challenges and innovations shaping the built environment. Join Corey and his panelists on “PANEL: Best Practices in Firestopping Design and Installation” on October 28 at 4:00PM CST, located at the show’s brand new Fire Safety & Security Conference Track.

Apart from Firestopping, Corey will also be sharing his expertise on materials in "CASE STUDY: Understanding Materials to Ensure Seamless Roofing Integrity" on October 28 at 10:55AM CST, at the Skills & Innovations Hub within the show.

If you’re passionate about advancing fire safety, consider joining Chicago Build’s Fire Safety in Construction Ambassador Program. Connect with industry professionals, share best practices, and help drive meaningful conversations around life safety, compliance, and innovation across the construction sector.