Qualtiy assurance specifications and programs in the highway construction industry have been evolving since the 1960s. Within the last decade there has been increasing attention to promoting quality products and services throughout the US economy. There has also been an increased level of interest within the highway community. Although there is currently significant interest and many independent activities associated with what has now become known as quality management, there is a need to coordinate these many activities. There is also a need to increase awareness in and build support from upper management, and to provide technical skills and tools to those responsible for implementing quality management programs and specifications. A coordinated effort among the Federal Highway Administration, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the highway construction industry, and others is being formulated to provide oversight and direction toward increasing emphasis in quality management and other construction quality and performance issues. This effort has been termed the National Quality Initiative. FHWA's Demonstration Project No. 89 Quality Management can provide the vehicle to implement the activities under the initiative. This paper describes the development of these activities and their current status and plans.