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 that quality should focus on the customer’s needs because the customer sets the standards or requirements that they want the project outputs to meet.
Absolutely, quality is an internal focus as all resources and processes need to be optimized to enhance the project performance and quality.
While the execution stage is important, it’s not where quality is determined. Quality is determined largely in the planning stage, and when you start out the project prioritizing quality, this ultimately affects not just projects costs, but also the success of the project.
Accountability and transparency is very important in a project, so issues of quality should be discussed with the stakeholders and not concealed to ensure immediate steps can be taken to set the project on the right path if it’s not meeting the expected requirements.
Although team members often begin with a high sense of enthusiasm and energy, this doesn’t necessarily continue until the end of the project. The project manager needs to make sure that team members stay motivated in delivering the expected project output.
Team members definitely need to be supervised, there needs to be a metric for tracking team members efforts towards achieving the objectives of the project.
Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs. I totally agree because if does not meet the needs of fulfil the customer’s requirement , it can not be considered as quality.
Quality is an internal focus. Yes, it is an internal focus premised on beginning with the end in mind.
Quality should be considered from the project’s inception. Absolutely! What the final product or service is expected to look like and achieve must be discussed from inception.
The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals. I disagree. If quality checks have been part of the journey from inception, the execution phase expectedly should be a walk in the park. All things being equal.
Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions. Yes!
Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers. That is going to be a disaster waiting to happen.
Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes. That usually is the case at the beginning of any project, but the PM must ensure it is sustained to the very end.
Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision. This is not supposed to be. Once the goals and the objectives, the expected outcomes have been communicated and understood by team members, with little supervision , quality should be achievable.
I agree with the below statements:
* 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.
I agree with the followings
1 quality should be focused on the customers needs
2 quality should be considered from the beginning of the project
3 quality is focused internally
4 the execution phase of a project is the most critical to achieve quality targets
5 quality issues should be discussed openly to find corrective actions
I agree with the following about quality :
Quality should be focused on the customer’s needs.
Quality is focused internally.
Quality should be considered from the beginning of the project.
The execution phase of a project is the most critical to achieve quality targets.
Quality issues should be discussed openly to find corrective actions.
Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision.
While I do not agree with this:
People are keen on producing quality outputs: people are not mostly keen on producing quality products but are keen about saving cost and time rather to avoid loss.
Isibhakhomen Angel Alimikhena
I agree with the following points of quality, none should be put aside.
Quality refers to is the degree to which a Project’s output meet the specified requirements and satisfy the needs of stakeholders.
Emphaszing a culture of continuous improvement where lessons learned from one project are applied to future projects..This iterative process helps enhance the overall quality of project management practices
Effective quality management contributes to successful projects outcomes, increased stakeholder satisfaction, and the development of a positive project management culture. It involves a proactive approach to identifying and addressing quality issues throughout the project life cycle.
Isibhakhomen Angel Alimikhena
Considering a diverse set of success criteria ensures a more comprehensive evaluation of a project’s success and it’s impact on various aspects beyond the traditional measures of time, cost and quality.
Quality should absolutely prioritize the customer’s needs, I completely agree. While no project maybe 100% perfect, project managers must strive to deliver the best quality within the confines of the scope and available resources. Defining the expected standards at the beginning of the project with stakeholders is always a great way to start any project especially for Linear projects. The execution phase is critical in the final quality as it is where the implementation of pre-agreed ideas and concepts are put into practice. Quality issues should be discussed internally with managers and externally with customers for improvements or compromise to be achieved. Different folks have different motivations, not all will be enthused about producing high quality outcomes. Close supervision is not necessary to prodcue high quality outputs.
Quality must be the priority of any project management because that’s what our job is all about. We are being hired because of our level of experience and Skill. Thus, a client knows he is hiring someone who can deliver nothing but quality.
I agree that quality is based on our customer’s demand. But I don’t understand what you mean by “quality should be hidden from client and manager.
In my own opinion, Quality should be based on customers needs and also for the sake of the brand or management.
As an organization or as a project manager your first target is to deliver a quality job to the people as this would help in terms of referrals and also help to build brand trust.
Quality is a level of excellence
As a project manager quality should be a priority