Various definitions of the concept of quality have been put forward.
One generic definition (Pass, 2006b) is as follows:
The overall characteristics of a product or service that fulfill the requirements of customers in terms of quality.
This definition aligns with the viewpoint of Joseph Juran, who, in the 1950s, defined quality as ‘fitness for use’ (as quoted in ASQ, 2019).
This definition is largely consistent with the definition of quality provided by APM (2019, p. 214):
The suitability for the intended purpose and the degree to which the output of a process or the process itself conforms to the requirements.
Now take a moment to consider the following statements about quality. Which ones do you agree with?
- Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs.
- Quality is an internal focus.
- Quality should be considered from the project’s inception.
- The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals.
- Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions.
- Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers.
- Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes.
- Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision.
Share your thoughts on these statements in the discussion section below.
Based on the lesson on quality. I agree with the following:
1. Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs.
2.Quality is an internal focus.
3.Quality should be considered from the project’s inception.
4.The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals.
5.Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions.
6.Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers.
Based on the lesson on quality. I will agree with the following statements about quality:
1. Quality should prioritizes customer’s need. Customers satisfaction should be prioritizes in any project. The needs of customer must be met.
2. Quality should be considered from the project’s inception. From the planning phase , quality should not be compromised.
3. The exceution phase is crucial in project for achieving quality goals. Proper exceution of project which results in desirable goals, hence quality goals is achieved.
4. Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision. Without accountability, people tend to work the way they like, hence compromising quality.
Quality in project management revolves around meeting the needs of the customer and should be prioritized from the project’s inception. The execution phase is crucial for achieving quality targets, requiring open discussion of any quality issues to find appropriate solutions.
However, I disagree with the notion that quality is solely an internal concern. It should primarily align with the end user’s perspective and fitness for use. Quality problems should not be hidden but openly addressed to stakeholders for timely adjustments to project scope or budget.
Furthermore, assuming that all individuals are inherently motivated to produce quality outputs or that constant supervision is necessary for quality production are overly simplistic generalizations. Quality outcomes can vary depending on various factors beyond direct oversight.
In every project quality is very important, any company with quality product will stand the test of time. Our company is well known for quality product, we deal with aluminum profiles for construction. Base in my experience, I will agree with the following statement.
1. Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs: as a PM your customer satisfaction should be your drive, because delivering inferior product can lead to the downfall of your organization or trust will be withheld.
2. Quality should be considered from the project’s inception: from the planing proces of the project quality should be included, project the kind of outcome your want if it will meet the tast of your customers.
3. Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions: discussing quality issues with your team will enable them to have in mind the expected outcome and when the product is out of the quality demanded, the quality control can easily identify it and apply the necessary corrective mention.
4. Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision; supervisors should be made available to monitor all the team involved in the project, to ensure that they carry out their tasks effectively for quality delivery of the project. Without this some team members may do as they wish to produce inferior product that will tarnished the image of the organization.
Based on my experiences in Construction projects, the following points are usually true;
1. Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs.
3. Quality should be considered from the project’s inception.
5. Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions.
7. Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes.
Quality is VERY VITAL in my profession-because the products are always solid, visible and can be seen and touched by everyone(Buildings, roads, drainages etc). So to achieve this quality we start working towards it from the Planning stage(design) & not just the execution stage(construction). Contractors/Artisans tend to want to produce quality products because it speaks well for their skills and attracts more clients/jobs for them.
Though most contractors try to produce quality products, the PM has to ensure adequate supervision so that the various contractors products can be merged together in the correct process to ensure the final project outcome is of high quality and standard.
I agree with the following statement about quality:
1. Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs.
2. Quality should be considered from the project’s inception.
3. The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals.
4. Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions.
Quality in project management is a cornerstone of project success, encompassing processes, practices, and outcomes that meet stakeholders’ needs, deliver value, mitigate risks, and drive continuous improvement
From the teaching so far,the ones I agree with are;
Quality should be considered front the project inception.
Quality issues should be discussed openly to identify correction action.
Quality is an essential element of any activity. It is important to note that the absence of quality tends to defeat the genuine purpose of the subject.
However, I agree that:
1. A project can only achieve success when quality has been prioritized when delivering on the customer’s needs.
2. Quality should be considered from the project’s inception.
Quality matters should be discussed when targets are being set at the onset. This will bring about a very smooth execution process with high-quality outcomes.
The execution phase of a project is the most critical to achieve quality targets.
That is the one I agree with because quality has to do with the durability and the ability of the project if it is building to overcome tensile stress. And therefore the execution phase is the most critical point of quality target.
From what I have learned so far, I will agree with the following statement:
1. “Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs.”
2. “ Quality should be considered from the project’s inception”
The early we focus on the quality standard in our project, the best the output at the end
3. “The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals”
If the quality standard of the project is being discussed and well look into since the beginning of inception of the project, it will give more room to value the standard along all process.
4. “Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions”
If it was openly discussed, it will brings about better idea on how to handle it
5. “Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision”
Many people tends to lower the level of commitment to things when not been well supervise
And I disagree with the following statements:
1. “Quality is an internal focus”
The standard of quality of a project tells more about the Project manager and his team
2. “Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers”
This always brings about negative reviews to the company/brand as the customer will surely know of the quality problem at the long run.
3. “Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes”
This is not always true, if the team members are not motivated enough, there will surely be breach in the quality standard
Oluwagbemi Elasoru