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.
I agree with the following statements about quality;
1. Quality should be focused on the customer’s needs.
2. Quality should be considered from the beginning of the project.
3. The execution phase of a project is the most critical to achieving quality targets.
4. Quality issues should be discussed openly to find corrective actions.
Most importantly i am emphasizing “Quality should be considered from the beginning of the project”, this enables the planning, assurance, targets and control of quality throughout the life span of the project.
Quality should form an integral part of project management
it should not be compromised in anyway
quality should focus on customers needs, and when executing projects quality should be a priority at the beginning.
Quality should form an integral part of project management, it should not be compromised in anyway, quality should focus on customers needs, and when executing projects quality should be a priority at the beginning.
Quality is an internal focus
This statement is only half correct. While internal efforts and systems are required to assure consistency and perfection, quality is ultimately linked to achieving customer expectations. Internal attention is required for the establishment and maintenance of quality standards, but it must always be linked with external customer requirement
In my own view, I subscribe to a statement that said, quality should be prioritized from initial stage of project.
Why?
Having prioritized quality at initial stage, it will enable the organization to come up with quality plan, with quality control and assurance in place to check quality error which ultimately will lead to productive output that will not only meet customer demands but exceed the users expectations.
My thoughts on the above statements
1. Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs:
This is an accurate statement. In the end, quality is about meeting or exceeding consumer expectations. Organizations can ensure that the products or services they produce are of high quality and provide value to the client by concentrating on their needs and expectations.
2. Quality is an internal focus:
This statement is only half correct. While internal efforts and systems are required to assure consistency and perfection, quality is ultimately linked to achieving customer expectations. Internal attention is required for the establishment and maintenance of quality standards, but it must always be linked with external customer requirements.
3. Quality should be considered from the project’s inception:
This assertion is correct. Quality should be built into every stage of a project, beginning with its conception. Organizations may create clear objectives, identify potential hazards, effectively plan resources, and make informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle by considering quality needs from the start, ultimately leading to higher-quality outcomes.
4. The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals:
This is correct. The execution phase is where the plans and tactics created in the earlier stages of the project are put into effect. The real work is done during this phase, and close attention must be made to guarantee that quality standards are met. To achieve the specified quality goals, effective monitoring, control, and adherence to quality protocols during execution are required.
5. Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions:
This claim is correct. When it comes to dealing with quality issues, open and transparent communication is critical. Team members can share insights, opinions, and potential solutions by freely discussing problems. This collaborative method enables firms to uncover root causes, implement appropriate corrective steps, and avoid similar difficulties in the future, ultimately improving overall quality.
6. Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers:
This statement is wrong. Hiding quality issues from consumers and managers is neither sustainable nor ethical. Hiding quality flaws can lead to worse difficulties, undermine trust, and harm customer relationships. It is critical to be open about quality issues, accept responsibility, and endeavor to resolve them quickly and efficiently.
7. Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes:
This remark varies according to the individual and their work environment. While many people take satisfaction in generating high-quality results, there might be differences in passion and motivation levels amongst people. Work culture, leadership, and personal values can all have an impact on an individual’s dedication to quality. Fostering a healthy work atmosphere, offering adequate training and tools, and recognizing and rewarding quality successes, on the other hand, can assist boost enthusiasm for creating high-quality results.
8. Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision:
In general, this statement is false. While monitoring and direction might help to ensure quality, team members are not always required to deliver high-quality results. Team members may take initiative and deliver quality outputs autonomously with sufficient training, clear expectations, well-defined processes, and a culture that emphasizes accountability and ownership. Individuals must have trust, empowerment, and efficient communication within the team to perform quality work without continual supervision.
To me quality is the extent to which a project satisfies the objectives, specifications, and expectations in a project with some varieties of factors, including the project deliverables’ accuracy, completeness, effectiveness, efficiency, dependability, and overall perfection. A project that is completed with high quality meets the needs of its stakeholders, fulfills client demands, and adds value. It entails following best practices, industry standards, and quality management procedures to reduce risks, faults, and flaws throughout the project lifetime.
Project manager and Facility Supervisor i spend a lot of my time communicating with many people in a variety of ways. It is extremely important to consider all aspects of communication as early as possible in the project life cycle, and recognise that it is not a one-way process and that dialogue will mean that conversations and exchanges will evolve as they unfold.
Communication takes many forms. To be effective you need to consider not only the message you want to pass on, but also the method for communicating. Many factors affect the success of communication, including cultural influences, the mood of the team, the method of communication chosen and the language used.
Quality should be the first integral part of a project and it must be discussed with the stakeholders so as to achieve a quality project.
There should also be a close monitoring on the team members to give their best to be able to achieve a goal of the project.
Quality should be a Stan criteria for the need of the customers to provide a lasting impression of the work of the project manager and that should be discussed at large.
Quality should be customers priority for need, because a customer is an end user of the service in a successful project. The fact that quality should be considered from the project inception. This sets the desired goal of the project in the minds of the team members and all stakeholders involved.
This makes individuals (project team) enthusiastic about producing high -quality outcomes at the end of the project.
In any project, quality should be prioritised from the inception to delivery.and also Quality issues should be discussed openly to find corrective actions.