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:
After considering the following statements about quality,
I agree that Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs, as they are the primary consumers/stakeholders of the product.
I do not agree that quality is an internal focus. Both internal and external opinions must be considered.
I also agree that Quality should be considered from the project’s inception, as this would make the project team understand what level needs to be achieved and the standards that must be attained to satisfy the customer’s requirements.
In the same vein, the execution phase of a project is very crucial for achieving quality goals. The execution phase of a project entails the point at which the crux of the work begins till it ends, and to this case, understanding how crucial quality is to the project’s success would gear the team up to work hard towards this end.
I also agree that quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions. This should be done at the beginning, during the project execution phase and the ending phase.
I do not agree to the notion that quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers.
I agree that individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes. All the project team wants is a successful outcome, and the approval of their clients and stakeholders.
I do not agree that team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision. The team members are specialized in their various fields and respected members of the organization they work for, and being professional in their works is an already adapted trait. However, the project manager can check up on the team members from time to time to get feedbacks from them.
From the provided definitions and principles of quality, I agree with the following statements:
1. Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs: This aligns with the notion that quality is about meeting or exceeding customer expectations.
2. Quality should be considered from the project’s inception: Early consideration of quality ensures that it is built into the project plan and processes from the start.
3. The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals: This phase is where the actual work is done, and therefore, it is essential for ensuring that quality standards are met.
4. Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions: Open communication about quality issues is vital for continuous improvement and problem-solving.
5. Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes: Motivated individuals are more likely to strive for quality outcomes.
6. Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision: Trust and empowerment are key for fostering a culture of quality where team members take ownership of their work. Close supervision may hinder autonomy and creativity, which are essential for producing quality outputs.
I agree with the following statements:
1. Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs.
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.
7. Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes.
I disagree with the following statements:
2. Quality is an internal focus – Quality should consider both internal processes and external customer needs.
6. Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers – Transparency is important for addressing and resolving quality issues.
8. Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision – Trust and autonomy can contribute to quality outcomes when team members are skilled and motivated.
I actually 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.
Quality can be attained by close supervision on the project team.
I agree with the following statements:
– Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs.
-Quality should be considered from the project’s inception.
-Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions.
– Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision.
NB. The one I agree with most is ” Quality should be considered from the project’s inception”.
Olaoluwa Oyeleye
Cohort 13
Team 10
To me I do say quality is the sincerity of a project manager in delivering a service.
The whole essence of a project if integrity is involved is to produce a qualitative outcome. This, if this is the case, from conception of the idea, to the execution and deliverance of project, quality should be the hallmark of discussion.
furthermore, no man is an island and to get a good quality, it should be subject to debate by all who has stake and interest in the project
I agree with the statements that :
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.
6. Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes.
7. Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision.
Adepoju Adesina
Cohort 13
Team 1
I agree with statements about quality.
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.
Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes.
I agree with the statement that:
Quality should prioritize the customer’s needs. Because the end result is for the customer and if the customer needs is not put at the forefront, how do we say we have created a product that likely does not meet a customer’s need.
I disagree that Quality is an internal focus. Quality is both internal and external. The customers we aim to please are external so how does quality want to focus on just the internal without considering the most important people who are external.
Yes, Quality should be considered from the project’s inception. It is from the beginning of a project that we lay the right foundation for a quality work to be done. We cannot delay till the end of the project before we consider quality of the project.
The execution phase of a project is crucial for achieving quality goals. I believe every phase is crucial for achieving quality goals. From the inception, to the testing phase to the execution phase, they are all important to achieve quality goal.
Quality issues should be openly discussed to identify corrective actions. Of course, quality issues should be discussed openly, so everyone shares ideas and their thoughts on quality issues and their corrective actions.
Quality problems should be concealed from customers and possibly managers. No it shouldn’t be. It should be openly discussed as earlier noted.
Individuals are enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes. I don’t think or believe that every individual is automatically enthusiastic about producing high-quality outcomes. I believe it has more to do with the individual work ethic and value system. However, it is important that every member of the team keys into the vision and is enthusiastic about producing high quality outcomes.
Team members do not produce quality outputs without close supervision. I do not believe micromanaging a team would lead to quality outputs. Rather, as a PM, we have to trust the judgement of our team members in producing quality. The PM should rather gice support instead of micromanaging.