Surveying project deliverable quality continuously is a crucial aspect of project management. It not only ensures that the project conforms to the agreed-upon standards and compliance requirements but also enhances the overall project performance by identifying and addressing quality issues promptly. This article provides a detailed insight into why and how to continually survey project deliverable quality, based on the Project Management Professional (PMP) approach.
The PMP Approach to Quality Management
In the context of PMP, project quality management is one of the key knowledge areas. It includes three processes: quality planning, quality assurance, and quality control. Consistent surveying of deliverable quality falls under the quality assurance and quality control processes.
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance refers to the process of executing quality management plans and using standard tools, techniques, and methodologies to translate the project’s quality policies into actionable procedures. It aims to ensure that the project outcomes meet the desired quality standards.
Quality Control
Quality Control, on the other hand, involves monitoring and recording the project’s execution results to assess performance and recommend necessary changes. It involves assessing individual deliverables to ensure they meet the specified requirements and quality criteria.
An Example of the Continuous Survey of Quality
Let’s look at an example. Suppose a software development project has a deliverable of a user-friendly, bug-free software application within nine months. Regular monitoring would involve frequent testing and review of the software in development to identify and correct any bugs. It may also involve usability testing to identify areas of user interface improvement.
Options for Quality Surveying
Options for surveying project deliverable quality might consist of:
- Regular Project Audits: These are formal, usually independent assessments of the current status and performance of the project. They help identify areas of non-conformance and improvement and project risks associated with deliverable quality.
- Inspections: Regular examinations of the work product or results help identify if the project deliverables meet the specified requirements and quality criteria.
- Control Charts: These are graphical representations that display how a process changes over time. It helps to evaluate whether the project is within the acceptable variation or not.
- Pareto Charts: These charts identify the most frequent factors causing defects in the deliverables.
The PDCA Cycle
To make the process of continuous quality review successful, the PMP suggests the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. The PDCA cycle consists of four steps:
- Plan: Identify quality standards and define how to meet them.
- Do: Execute the work according to the planned quality standards.
- Check: Continuously review and monitor the quality of project deliverables.
- Act: Implement changes to resolve any quality issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, continual surveying of project deliverable quality is fundamental to project success. Applying them allows project managers to identify any discrepancies in project deliverables and take corrective action promptly, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and overall project performance. Ultimately, these practices align with the PMP’s emphasis on project deliverables’ quality assurance and control, essential parts of successful project management.
Practice Test
True/False: Continual survey of project deliverable quality is not essential for a successful project.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Quality control is vital in project management. Continual surveys of project deliverable quality ensure that the project meets its goals and satisfies its stakeholders.
Multiple Select: What are the benefits of continually surveying project deliverable quality?
- A. Enhances customer satisfaction
- B. Minimizes project risks
- C. Reduces project costs
- D. No impact on the project
Answer: A, B, C.
Explanation: Continual survey of project deliverable quality improves customer satisfaction, minimizes project risks, and reduces costs by identifying flaws early before they escalate.
True/False: Continually surveying project deliverable quality can increase the project’s overall timeline.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Continual quality surveys may seem time-consuming but in the long run, they save time by identifying and rectifying issues early.
Single Select: What tool is most useful in continually surveying project deliverable quality?
- A. Pareto Chart
- B. Histogram
- C. Flowchart
- D. Control Chart
Answer: D. Control Chart
Explanation: Control charts are used to study how a process changes over time and are crucial for determining the stability or predictability of the system.
True/False: Quality Assurance is the same as Quality Control.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Quality Assurance is a proactive measure to prevent defects, while Quality Control is a reactive measure, which includes the continual survey of project deliverable quality.
Multiple Select: Continually surveying project deliverable quality is important because:
- A. It identifies project defects early
- B. It helps maintain project deadline adherence
- C. It helps manage project scope
- D. It prevents project risk
Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: Regular quality surveys help in early detection of defects, maintain deadline adherence by timely addressing these defects, and help in managing the project scope by ensuring deliverables meet the agreed-upon quality.
True/False: The Quality Management Plan does not have to be updated throughout the project.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The Quality Management Plan is a living document and may need to be revised as the project progresses. Quality surveys are a part of this evolving plan.
Single Select: Who is responsible for the continual survey of project deliverable quality in a project?
- A. Project Sponsor
- B. Project Manager
- C. Team Member
- D. Stakeholder
Answer: B. Project Manager
Explanation: The Project Manager is responsible for ensuring the quality of the project deliverables and thus, the continual survey of project deliverable quality.
True/False: Stakeholder feedback is an important part of continually surveying project deliverable quality.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Stakeholder feedback is a valuable resource for identifying improvements in deliverable quality.
Multiple Select: Which of the following are techniques used in continual survey of project deliverable quality?
- A. Peer reviews
- B. Inspections
- C. Cost Management
- D. Audits
Answer: A, B, D
Explanation: Peer reviews, inspections, and audits are constructive tools used in surveying project deliverable quality. Cost Management, meanwhile, pertains to budgeting and expense control.
Interview Questions
What is the purpose of continually surveying project deliverable quality?
The purpose is to ensure that the project outputs meet the required standards and expectations. This ongoing survey helps in identifying any gaps, risks, or inconsistencies early, allowing sufficient time for corrective measures.
What is Quality Planning in project management?
Quality planning is the process of determining quality standards that are important for the project and deciding how to satisfy these standards. It involves identifying the quality requirements for both the project and the product.
How can a project manager ensure deliverable quality?
A project manager can ensure deliverable quality by using quality management tools and techniques, conducting regular quality audits, continually reviewing and supervising project deliverables, and implementing appropriate change control procedures.
What are the three main components of Quality Management?
The three main components of Quality Management are Quality Planning, Quality Assurance, and Quality Control.
What is the difference between Quality Assurance and Quality Control?
Quality Assurance is a proactive process that focuses on preventing defects before they occur. Quality Control, on the other hand, is a reactive process and focuses on identifying and correcting defects in the finished product.
What role does communication play in managing project deliverable quality?
Effective communication ensures that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the quality standards and expectations. It also facilitates timely and accurate reporting of any risks, issues, or changes affecting the deliverable quality.
What is the benefit of utilizing a Quality Checklist in managing project deliverable quality?
A Quality Checklist provides a structured tool for verifying that the required procedures have been followed and desired results have been achieved. It can help identify any discrepancies early and ensures every step in the process has been completed correctly.
How does Continuous Improvement play a role in managing project deliverable quality?
Continuous Improvement is an ongoing effort to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of processes or outcomes. In managing project deliverable quality, it helps in optimizing process performance, reducing quality risks, and elevating deliverable standards.
What is a Quality Audit in project management?
A Quality Audit is a systematic, independent process for determining whether project activities comply with the organizational and project policies, procedures, and processes. It’s designed to identify opportunities for improvement, lessen the amount of rework, and ensure the project remains compliant.
What is the importance of managing risks in ensuring deliverable quality in project management?
Risk management plays a crucial role in ensuring deliverable quality as it helps identify potential issues that might affect the quality of the project outcomes. Once identified, action plans can be developed to mitigate these risks, thereby enhancing the quality of deliverables.
What are Quality Metrics in project management?
Quality Metrics are specific, measurable standards that are used to determine the level of quality. They provide a means for quantifying, comparing, and analyzing quality-related data.
Can stakeholders’ feedback help in managing project deliverable quality? How?
Yes, stakeholders’ feedback can provide valuable insights on aspects where improvement is needed or if the project deliverables meet the expectations and requirements. This feedback can be used to enhance the quality of future deliverables.
How does regularly reviewing the project scope assist in maintaining deliverable quality?
Regularly reviewing the project scope ensures that the project stays aligned with its original goals and objectives. It helps to identify any deviations early, so the necessary corrections can be made to maintain deliverable quality.
What role does documentation play in ensuring project deliverable quality?
Documentation provides a record of project execution and can be used to track and monitor progress towards achieving quality objectives. It allows for review, inspection, and replication of processes to ensure consistent quality.
What is the main objective of Quality Control in project management?
The main objective of Quality Control in project management is to identify and correct defects in the finished deliverables, ensuring that the output meets the required quality expectations.
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