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.
1. Quality should prioritize customers needs. Agree
2. Quality is an internal focus. Disagree.
3. Quality should be considered from the inception of the project. Agree
4. The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals. Agree
5. Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective action. Disagree
6. Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly manager. Disagree
7. Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes. Agree
8. Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision. Disagree
I agree with all of them except
Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers
Quality should be priorities and should be considered when managing or considering a proje
Quality should be priorities and should be considered when managing or considering a project
Quality should focus on Customers needs because they’re at the receiving end and it should be priorities and also quality should be considered at the inception of the project to make it more appealing, standard and genuine which will help team members to produce quality projects
Quality is essential for every project.Yes Quality should prioritize customer’s needs as they are at the receiving end.
Quality should be ensured at the Inception phase of a project to make project more standard and authentic as this will enhance team members to produce Quality outputs
The word quality should be prioritized when managing a project.
I agree that quality should be focused on the customer’s need: the desire and the satisfaction of your customer must be your major concern as a project manager. And for the sake if recommendation and future reference, qualith must be prioritized.
Secondly, quality should be considered from the beginning of the project . Quality issues should also be discussed openly to the team so as to find corrective actions and not in the secret.
Also, team members do mit produce quality outputs without close supervisor. You must be able to supervise your team well in order to get a good output on the project
Understanding the cost of quality is a complex task. Quality should prioritise customers needs. This is because with proper measure of planning put in place at the initial stage of the project will determine the output or outcome to be delivered to the customers. Proper planning in an investment and strategizing with best expertise will give customers satisfaction and this will guarantee a high level of value of income incurred in future because of the good services offered. In order to achieve this good quality services at the end result, there should be a an open discussion on quality issues to identify corrective actions and with continuous monitoring and close supervision from inception, it will create room for improvement as individuals are enthusiastic about producing high quality outcomes. To be top and exceptional in business, quality problems should be cancelled from customer and possibly the managers, this will give a good review of the company or service. Team members must come together in agreement in terms of purpose, visions and set goals.
My view on quality should prioritize customers needs
The ultimate objective for any business is to make money. If you have a product that people will buy, then you’ve got a business. However, the businesses that make the most don’t focus on the profits alone. They also consider the quality of the products and services they offer because they know how important it is to their customers.
I also agree that Quality should be considered from the project’s inception because,there is a lot of value in having quality mindset even during the inception of a Project.
Typically, in Agile, the primary purpose of the inception phase is to do just enough work to get the delivery team going in the right direction and get the stakeholders buy in. Having a role part of this phase will be helpful in defining the overall Quality strategy of the Project.
The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals. It requires careful project planning and management to ensure all tasks are completed on time, within budget, and with quality standards maintained throughout.
Finally Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision. That’s not entirely true because, Some employee work independently with little or no supervision and they still carry their work efficiently well.
1. Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs… I agree.
The customer’s needs should be a top priority in any project.
2. Quality is an internal focus.. I disagree.
There should be provision for external inclusion. It should not be solely focused internally.
3.Quality should be considered from the project’s inception… I agree.
This is because the desired outcome of the project depends on the quality.
4.The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals.. I agree
5.Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions…I agree.
Most especially with project team members and find possible solutions.
6.Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers… I agree.
When shared with customers, they will loose the trust in the organization and possibly with managers to avoid seeing you as incompetent.
7.Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes.. I agree.
This is evident when they are not being micromanaged.
8.Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision.. I disagree.
For you to have created a tem, it means you believe in what they can do. When you hire people to do the job, allow them deliver.
Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs.
The above statement is true as the customer is also a stakeholder and his needs are critical and should be of good quality.
Quality should be considered from the project’s inception; this is very critical to any project as quality is considered from the inception of a project till delivery of the project. It’s an end-to-end priority for all projects.
Not just the execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals, but other stages as Project Initiation.
Project Planning.
Project Monitoring and Controlling.
Project Closing.
Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions. This statement is true as discussing them creates room for improvement as actions will be put in place not just to correct the issue but to avoid a repeat.
Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers. If this is done then issues will never be addressed, and improvements won’t occur.
Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes,this is the mind set fora good project team.
As a project manager, these are my reflections on statements about quality:
1. Customer Focus: I agree that quality should align with customer needs.
2. Internal vs. External: I disagree that quality should solely focus internally; external alignment is crucial.
3. Early Consideration: I agree that quality should be considered from the project’s start.
4. Critical Phase: I disagree that execution is the sole critical phase; a holistic approach is needed.
5. Open Discussion: I agree that openly discussing quality issues is essential for corrective actions.
6. Transparency: I strongly disagree that quality problems should be hidden; transparency builds trust.
7. Motivation for Quality: This depends on culture; positive work environments foster a keenness for quality.
8. Supervision Dependency: I disagree that close supervision is always necessary; trust and training matter. There comes a time when subordinates work with little or no supervision without compromising quality.