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 a few of the statements here, but I will pick out just this one “Quality should be considered from the beginning of the project.” for the success of every project, quality should be considered from the beginning, it should also be emphasised so that all team members and stakeholders will keep in mind what is expected of them.
Quality should priotized customers needs, the whole project delivery centered around customers satisfaction, without that everything would be null and void.
Quality is an internal focus- It is mainly derived from proper planning, execution and evaluation of processes to meet the customers’ needs.
My say on “quality” from the stated points.
Quality should focus on customers need because if it doesn’t favour them it may not sail…
Quality should be considered from the beginning of the project in order to budget accurately since it can’t do without time and cost.
Team members ought to be supervised in order to get the desired quality of it must be done to favour the customers
Quality is a continuous process and with set standards and measures, it is easy to attain quality.
I have agreed with the followings
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 achieve quality targets.
4. Quality issues should be discussed openly to find corrective actions.
*Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs. I agree with this statement because the organization/company exists primarily because of a need to tend to certain customer needs.
*Quality is an internal focus. I disagree with this.
*Quality should be considered from the project’s inception. I also agree with this as it is best to have if not all majority of loopholes covered before taking a step to go open.
*The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals. Like a chain reaction, every step from the inception up to the execution matters.
*Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions. Quality issues may be addressed openly without putting the company/organization credibility at stake.
*Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers. I do not agree with this statement simply because the customers have a huge say about what it is they decide to consume and the managers play a big role in the execution of Quality.
*Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes. I also concur with this statement because as individuals the first thought is always personal and so that becomes a driving force to put in the best in their capacity.
*Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision. I do not agree with this statement as personal/individual issues come into play, especially in the hybrid project pattern which always requires the Project manager’s directions.
Quality should not prioritize the customer’s needs only neither should it be an internal focus because both the needs of the customer as well as the values of the company are important. Therefore, considering things from both angles will give the best result of quality.
Considering quality from the inception is crucial because if you don’t, during the execution phase you have little time to stop and consider it and this could cause serios problems, whereas, if you had considered it from the beginning, monitoring and making sure it is implemented at the execution phase becomes easier because you know exactly what you are looking for.
Quality issues should be discussed openly in the team, with managers and sometimes, with the input of the customers so you get an all-round idea of what is expected as well as strategies to achieve such.
Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes and will push themselves to always produce the best as this gives them bragging rights. They want to be able to look back and say “I was the one who did that” and get praised for it not scorned. Considering this, team members would produce quality outputs even without close supervision because they want their work praised not mocked.
1.Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs. I agree
2. Quality is an internal focus – Disagree
3. Quality should be considered from the project’s inception – I agree
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
6. Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers. – Disagree
7. Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes. – I agree
8. Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision. – I disagree
My thought bis that quality should be talked about from the inception of a project as well as openly to know possible ways of making corrections
I agree with the following;
Quality should be considered from the project inception.
Quality is an internal focus.
Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions.
Thanks