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 totally agree with the following statements
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.
Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes.
I agree with the statements below
1. Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs.
2. Quality is an internal focus.
3. Quality should be considered from the project’s inception.
4. The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals.
5. Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions.
There are so many reasons why quality is important among the reasons above, it is a topic that should be discussed and brought to everyone’s understanding to enable their active involvement in achieving the quality goals.
I’m afraid I have to disagree with the reasons below as quality concerns should not be hidden, this can lead to disaster and cripple the project on the long run.
1. Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers.
2. Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes.
3. Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision.
Christabelle
PM Consort 13
I totally agree that we should focus on delivering top-notch quality right from the beginning of our project. Before we even start, everyone on the team should understand that making sure our work is of the highest quality is super important. We need to say it out loud because it affects everything we use in the project and what we end up delivering.
By making it clear that quality is a big deal from the very start, we set the tone for the whole project. It’s like saying, “Hey, we’re not just aiming for okay, we’re aiming for awesome!” This early focus on quality helps us make better decisions and ensures that what we produce is top-notch.
So, in simple terms, saying “quality matters” from the get-go is like setting a high standard for ourselves. It’s the key to making sure our project turns out great and everyone is happy with the results.
Olive Chiamaka Sadiq
Team 2
Cohort 13
Quality:
Quality is an essential part of project management. Of what essence is it to manage a project without meeting the expectations/standard of the customer; a disaster i suppose. This is why quality must be planned properly at the inception of a project. proper quality planning down to control level in a project will ensure that resources are not wasted.
What is quality?
1. Conformity to laid down standards.
2. Adherence to processes and procedures that achieve the desired goals.
3. A system, process, product and or service that meets expectations of the customers or users.
a. In determining quality, the customer is at the center point. A project manager must strive to meet the expectations and standard of the customers as defined in the project plan.
b. Quality is not just an internal issue, it must be considered from the point at which it affects the product or service and the users.
c. In determining the quality standard of a product, the process begins with the quality plan: What materials are needed, what quality standard are of the materials, where can they be sourced, etc. So, quality must begin from inception of a project and controlled throughout the project life cycle.
d. Every project plan is done at the execution stage. therefore, this is the stage where every intended quality expectations must be delivered. A deviation from the plan will obstruct the quality standard of the product. The project manager must ensure that the execution goes with the plans through the quality control process.
e. Quality issues should be an open debate and discussion among the project team. If the need be the sponsors should be carried along to clear some conflicting issues.
In general, The place of quality in project management is very important. Quality is about having an acceptable processes that produces acceptable products/services.
best regards.
Nathaniel – PM Cohort 13.
the statements that I do agree with are:
1. Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs. this is because the existence of the project is based on the need around, what the customers need, therefore the quality of production must prioritize the needs of customers to produce relevant products that will meet their needs totally and safely
2. Quality should be considered from the project’s inception. from the launch of the project, the manager should communicate the vision and goal of the project properly and the quality of output they intend to produce. this will help the team members to keep checking and monitoring if they are meeting the target, they will keep aligning all processes with the quality of targeted deliverables and this will ease the evaluation process and minimize the risk at the end of the project. so it is crucial to consider quality at the begining of the project.
3. Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions. Yes, the issue of quality should be discussed openly to identify corrective actions. As we have learned communication and transparency are key in project management, this will enable the team to have all necessary information on the process and progress of the project and the issues around them. this will raise trust among team members and motivate them to work in relation to the values and rules of the organization towards the goal of the project. it will facilitate collaboration in the decision and execution with attention to not seeing the issues raised again.
In terms of quality I agree with the points Stated above apart from point number 6, I don’t agree that quality should be hidden from customers and managers. Customers can determine the success and failure of a particular product if quality is hidden from them and they get to find out, that can affect the relationship of the customers and the management, hence even managers should also be aware of quality.
I agree with 1,2,3,4,5,7 and 8.
And quality challenges should not be concealed from the managers.
Quality control is crucial for any project, even though there are a lot of variables that can affect it. After considering the various facets of quality, I agree with the following:
1. Quality ought to be the first priority right from the start of the project. This early emphasis helps to acquire the required knowledge or abilities, create the project plan, and shape the scope.
2. Finding and implementing corrective measures depend on candidly addressing quality issues. Fostering an atmosphere in which quality-related concerns are freely exchanged guarantees that all parties are conscious of possible concessions and work together to find and fix problems, enabling the project to move forward and be completed in the best possible way.
3. Not every group or member of a team needs intensive supervision to generate high-quality results. Acknowledging the team’s effectiveness project management requires team members in a variety of situations. The project manager can manage the team more effectively if they are aware that some people work better under pressure or without constant supervision.
4. Secretly conceal quality issues from managers or customers makes it more difficult to find workable solutions.
5. To produce the intended high-quality result, a project must successfully complete each stage. I disagree that the execution phase is the most crucial; in fact, I believe that the planning phase is more crucial. The organization and placement of all required knowledge, abilities, and materials occurs during planning, which guarantee a strong basis for the ensuing execution stage.
Regarding quality I agreed with 1,4,5,6,7
All this point when considered, it will go a long way to achieving a greater goals.
Quality could be interpreted in many ways and it is subjective depending on the kind of project and deliverables expected and the cadre or social strata the project is designed to meet their needs.
1. Quality should generally priotize the customers needs;
2. Quality is an internally focused position which is perceived from one customer to the other based on their idea of what the product design should cater for