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 1,2,3,5 and 8
I agree with most of above statements about quality in the context of meeting the requirements of buyers or customers. Teams must have a deliberate intention from the onset of a project, in order to deliver quality. It cannot be arrived at by accident. At the execution phase is where it becomes most pronounced.
I however do not agree that quality problems should be hidden from customers and possibly managers because when discovered and perceived to have been deliberately hidden, may result in breach of trust and general customers satisfaction. Individuals (team members and customers) appear enthusiastic about high quality outcomes. We therefore must strive to deliver on quality at all times.
In my opinion, the aim/goal for any project/product is to the end that it meets the needs of users. In order to achieve this, quality should never be underestimated. This will also determine the lifespan and sustainability of that project/product.
What is quality [PM Course discussion]
1. Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs. Agreed. This gives the customers the value for their projects
2. Quality is an internal focus. Disagreed. Beyond internal, quality exhibits the worth of a project
3. Quality should be considered from the project’s inception. Agreed. This will give adequate and proper cost for the worth of the project.
4. The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals. Agreed. This is actually proper assessment of the project.
5. Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions. Agreed. This is to both the client and team members along in the project.
6. Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers. Disagreed. Quality is business of all partners in the project.
7. Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes. Disagreed. In a project, individuals are always interested in project delivery within specified time at a minimal cost.
8. Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision. Agreed. They always factor cost into quality which if not properly supervised quality output will reduce.
I agree with the following statements about quality:
1. Quality should prioritize customer’s or client’s need.
2. This can be achieved, if from beginning every project, the PM has quality as a watchword.
5. Quality issues should be discussed openly (but within the project team members) to find corrective actions.
7. People are keen on producing quality outputs.
Quality in my own point of view should meet customers needs as defined by Joseph Juran ” quality is fitness for use” .
1. Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs. Yes
2. Quality should be considered from the project’s inception. Yes very important.
3. The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals.
4. Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions. Yes I totally agree.
Quality is relative and is a function of the need/expectation of the client. PMs must develop a system that helps clarify the expectation of the client and surpass it. So quality can be said to be dependent on the input and process of the organisation
From my understanding of quality derived from some of some definition given, I agree with and disagree with some of the statements below:
1. Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs: Of course, customers’ satisfaction is the focus of quality in goods or services produced:
2. Quality is an internal focus: Quality focuses internal and external considering the processes involve in bringing out the final goods or services.
3. Quality should be considered from the project’s inception: The idea of bringing positive change is central to any project, as such forms part of the inception stage or plan. It is important that quality is maintained throughout projects lifecycle.
4. The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals: Yes, this is the stage at which goods and services are being processed and outputs are beginning to roll out.
5. Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions: Project Manager should express the importance of quality to other Project Managers, project team and the Project Sponsor. Discussing quality issues would help in identifying issues and resolving them as fast as possible and avoid some potential quality challenges.
6. Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers: Quality problems must never be concealed from Project Managers at any point, by so doing, complete quality compromised would ruined the project output and outcome.
7. Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes: Projects’ beneficiaries are enthusiastic about receiving quality goods and services regardless of the efforts put in delivering the projects.
8. Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision: Team members with the right skills engaged on projects do not need closed supervision to execute tasks or get the jobs done rightly considering time and quality.
Quality should not be only focused internally, but most be considered internally and externally .
Organization should be transparent with their customers rather than conceal issues or maneuver issues,
Organization should analyzed the effect of quality and the impact on product outcomes and prioritize requirements and cost evaluation.