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.
My contributions:
1. Though the application (planning, monitoring, & control) of quality should be internally done, however, quality statements and benchmarks should be made public to customers. Recall that, quality is to enhance customers satisfaction, as such, customers should be well informed of the correct quality of a product or services.
2. Quality issues should not be concealed from customers and managers because:
i. Since quality is centered on customers satisfaction, denying them the knowledge of defects or other quality issues, is a breach of customers trust. The right thing to do is to inform them of the defects or quality issues and address them on the way forward and if possible, offer some discount to them, while necessary actions/steps should be taken to prevent such occurrence in the future.
ii. Managers must be adequately informed of any quality issues because he is in the position to address this with customers or stakeholders.
Other than the 2 issues raised, all other quality statements given are correct.
Michael O. Nwenne
Cohort 7
Team 6
Quality is key in delivering anything suitable for your clients and the general public, if quality is not there then losing clients is going to be the other of day.
I agree quality should be considered as regards the needs of the customer or client as this can really affect the value and ethical system of the company.
Quality measures should also be taken from the inception of a project as its result in a work down the right path. Quality should also be discussed amongst project teams to assess,correct the project
I agree with the following statements:
– Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs.
– 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.
– Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes.
I disagree with the following statements:
– Quality is an internal focus.
– Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers.
– Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision.
It’s important to focus on the customer’s needs when defining quality. Quality should be considered from the start of a project and throughout its execution. Quality problems should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions, and individuals are typically enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes. However, quality is not solely an internal focus, as external factors such as customer satisfaction are critical to success. Quality problems should not be concealed from customers or managers, as this can lead to larger issues down the line. Finally, team members are capable of producing quality outputs without close supervision, although regular feedback and communication can help ensure that quality standards are met.
I agree that:
1. Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs.
2. Quality should be considered from the project’s inception.
3. Quality is an internal focus.
4. The execution phase of a project is very 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.
Quality should be focused on the customer’s needs.
This statement aligns with the customer-centric approach to quality. Customer satisfaction is a key aspect of quality, as meeting their needs and expectations is essential for delivering a high-quality product or service.
Quality is focused internally.
This statement contradicts the customer-centric approach to quality. Quality should not be solely focused on internal processes and standards but should also consider external factors, such as customer requirements and market expectations.
Quality should be considered from the beginning of the project.
Considering quality from the beginning of a project is a best practice. Early identification and planning for quality requirements help prevent issues and rework later in the project lifecycle.
The execution phase of a project is the most critical to achieving quality targets.
While the execution phase is crucial for achieving quality targets, quality should be addressed throughout the entire project lifecycle. Each phase, from planning to execution to monitoring and control, contributes to the overall quality of the final deliverables.
Quality issues should be discussed openly to find corrective actions.
Open discussion about quality issues is important for continuous improvement. By openly addressing problems, teams can identify root causes, learn from mistakes, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Quality problems should be hidden from customers and possibly also managers.
Hiding quality problems is generally not a recommended approach. Transparency and honesty in dealing with quality issues help build trust with customers and stakeholders. Open communication allows for timely resolution and prevents potential negative consequences.
People are keen on producing quality outputs.
In general, people strive to produce quality outputs. Motivated individuals who understand the importance of quality and take pride in their work are more likely to consistently deliver high-quality results.
Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision.
While supervision can provide guidance and support, it is not always necessary for producing quality outputs. Empowered and well-trained team members who have a clear understanding of quality requirements and take ownership of their work can often deliver quality without constant supervision.
These are general perspectives on the statements, and the context and specific circumstances may influence the validity of each statement. It’s important to consider the nature of the project, industry standards, and organizational culture when discussing quality.
I agree that :
Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs only then can a project achieve success.
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.
Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes.
Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision. This I partially agree with as it is depending on the kind of team members involved in the project
Quality is the degree to which an object or entity (e.g., process, product, or service) satisfies a specified set of attributes or requirements. The quality of something can be determined by comparing a set of inherent characteristics with a set of requirements.
I agree with the statement that quality should be considered from the beginning. why? I am in the agricultural sector and one thing evident is the lack of quality when it comes to production which is why a number of Nigeria’s agricultural produce is rejected abroad.
I agree with these statements.
– Quality should be considered from the beginning of the project.
– Quality issues should be discussed openly to find corrective actions.
– Qualityshloud focus on the customer’s needs.
Quality should be considered from the beginning of a project because it helps the team put what is expected and not fall short of expectation.
Quality is an internal focus.
Quality should be openly discussed to identify corrective action.
I agree that :
Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs only then can a project achieve success.
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.
Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes.
Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision. This I partially agree with as it is depending on the kind of team members involved in the project
I’m Vhictory Solomon
Quality should be the bedrock of any project management, it should be from the beginning, Project management should be known for quality and not quantity. Quality should be your team members, deliverables, action plans etc.
Personally, quality should be considered from the beginning of the project because both the client and the project manager should know what the want based on the quality. This will determined the cost and time framework.
This should be an open discussion between the parties concern without interference.