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.
Quality should be focused on the customer’s needs
Quality in project management is defined as “the totality of characteristics of an entity that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs” (PMBoK). If the project deliverables (goods or services) are not able to meet the stated or implied needs of the beneficiaries, then the project did not meet its quality goal.
Project quality is ultimately defined by the beneficiary, and represents how close the project comes to meet the beneficiaries’ needs. The project manager’s goal is to understand the requirements and needs of the beneficiaries and then ensure the project will meet them.
The purpose of quality management is to first understand the needs of the beneficiaries in terms of quality and then put a quality plan to meet those needs. Because quality is defined by the beneficiary, there may be some subjectivity in its definition. But there are methods to make quality more objective. One of these methods requires listing the specific characteristics of quality that are important to the beneficiaries. Then determine the metrics that the project will collect to measure the quality characteristics.
From there the project manager will develop a quality management plan focused not only on product/service quality, but also the means to achieve it. Quality management is a process that includes quality planning, quality assurance and quality control to achieve more consistent quality.
Quality Planning. A quality plan includes a clear definition of the goals of the project. This includes assessing the assumptions and risks to success, setting quality standards, documenting processes, and defining the methods and tests to achieve, control, predict and verify success. These activities should be in the project plan and assigned to the team who will report and track quality metrics and document the criteria by which the project deliverables will be accepted by the beneficiaries
Quality Assurance. Quality assurance uses metrics to determine if the quality plan is proceeding as planned. With the use of qualitative and quantitative metrics, the project manager can measure project quality. The use of tests or quality audits helps predict and verify the achievement of goals and identify need for corrective actions.
Quality Control. Quality control is the review to ensure quality standards. This process includes identifying, analyzing, and correcting problems. Quality control monitors specific project outputs and identifies project risk factors.
It’s important that key stakeholders and beneficiaries are involved in this process, their participation in the quality management process ensures that the project will meet its quality goals.
Quality should be considered from the beginning of the project till the end. I agree with all the concepts except hiding quality problems from stakeholders and consumers.
I agree/disagree with these statements below;
Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs.
Agree: The customer is the focal point, for a product or service.
Quality is an internal focus.
Disagree: Quality should encompass both internal and external stakeholders, running the gamut of the organization’s environment,
Quality should be considered from the project’s inception.
Agree: A wholistic approach to quality helps prevent issues and defects and the earlier the better, to lead to reduced cost of quality ,improved outcomes and customer satisfaction.
The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals.
Agree: To guarantee the intended level of quality, effective execution, including appropriate quality control and assurance measures, is crucial.
Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions.
Agree: It is essential to discuss quality problems openly in order to determine their underlying causes and create the best possible corrective measures. This is enabled with transparency and open communication.
Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers.
Disagree: It is immoral and counterproductive to hide quality issues from clients or managers. Customer resentment, a decline of trust, and reputational harm might result from it.
People are keen on producing quality outputs.
Agree: Generally, people who feel ownership over their work and take pride in it are more likely to be enthusiastic about creating results of a high caliber.
10. Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision.
Disagree: Although direction and supervision are crucial, team members should not be micromanaged. They can acquire the abilities and autonomy to produce high-quality results on their own with the right training, clear expectations, and a supportive work environment.
Delivering quality project should be the bedrock of every project and as such must meet the required standard. Therefore I agree with 1,3,5 & 7.
Quality should be the watch word from the inception of any project.Quality helps a Project Team and PM to deliver projects that brings satisfaction to a customer.The challenges facing any project should be discussed openly to avert bad quality. Bad quality at the end of a project will fall back on the team and the reputations of the team and most times incurring more cost and damages.
QUALITY should be bold on a big board as it is the core centre of any project. So Quality should be considered from inception. It should be openly discussed every time.
NNAMDI MICHEAL
Group 10
Cohort 7
For an organisation or a product to be on a high demand there should be a serious level of customer, client and stakeholders satisfaction. Satisfaction comes from meeting the requirements of buyer or customer expectations. This brings me to “Pass 2006” definition of quality,which states that quality is the totality of the attributes of goods or services which meets the requirements of the buyer.
Quality is a key element and I agree with all the state .
Quality should be considered from the inception of the project as this will ensure that the process in achieving it is followed and every one informed and carried along.
Quality should be considered from the project’s inception to the finish as every sponsor and customer is interested in quality even when their capacity or purchasing power cannot go for the quality. However, consumers can draw a scale of preference on going for quality goods or for a cheaper one.
I agree with the following on quality
1.Quality should be focused on the customers needs.
2. Quality should be considered from the beginning of the project.
3. The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals.
4.Quality issues should be discussed in the open to identify corrective actions.