Project Quality Management Study Notes PMI, PMP, CAPM, PMBOK, PM Network and the PMI Registered Education Provider logo are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
Points to Note Please read Chapter 8 from Project Management Institute, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOK Guide) Fourth Edition, Project Management Institute, Inc., 2008 (pages 189 214). The study notes explain topics that are important for PMP exam preparation and you can expect several questions from these topics. Pay close attention to all the terms used. It is very important to understand all the discussed in this chapter. concepts Try to relate the concepts to real life examples. After reading the study notes, please answer the chapter test questions in this knowledge area. The chapter questions improve your understanding of the concepts discussed in this study notes. 2
What is Project Quality Management? Includes various processes and activities that establish the quality objectives, policies, and responsibilities so that the project satisfies the requirements for which it was undertaken. Addresses both the management of the project and the product of the project. The processes related to Quality Management are: Plan Quality Perform Quality Assurance Perform Quality Control Please refer PMBOK Guide Fourth Edition, page 191, figure 8-1. This will provide an overview of the processes related to Project Quality Management. 3
Quality Quality is defined as the degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfill requirements. Basic approach to Quality discussed here is intended to be compatible with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) norms. Also compatible with: Proprietary approaches (e.g. recommended by Deming, Juran, Crosby and others) Non-proprietary approaches (e.g. total quality management, cost of quality, continuous improvement, etc.). In order to ensure customer s satisfaction and achieve quality, the project s deliverables have to conform to requirements and possess fitness for use (must satisfy real needs). 4
Quality Policy Overall intentions and direction of an organization with regard to quality. Approved by the top management. The project team can often adopt as is use of the quality policy of the performing organization for their products. Project management team will need to develop a quality policy for the project, if the performing organization lacks a formal quality policy, or if the project involves multiple performing organizations (as is the case with a joint venture). Project Management team is responsible for ensuring that the project stakeholders are fully aware of the quality policy. 5
Flowchart Graphical representation of a process that shows how various process steps are related. They show activities, decision points and the processing order. During quality planning phase, it assists the project team to foresee quality problems that might occur. Some of the common flowcharting tools and techniques: Cause and effect diagrams (Ishikawa/Fishbone diagrams) System or Process Flowcharts 6
Quality Management Plan Describes how project management team will implement the quality policy Is a component/subsidiary plan of the project plan Provides inputs to the overall project plan, and includes quality control, quality assurance, and continuous process improvement approaches for the project May be formal or informal, highly detailed or broadly framed, based on the requirements of the project Should be reviewed early in the project to make sure that decisions taken are based on accurate information (this review would also help reduce cost and schedule overruns caused by rework) 7
Perform Quality Assurance Audits the quality requirements and the results from the quality control measurements, to ensure that relevant quality standards and operational definitions are used. May support the project team and the performing organization s management, the customer, or other stakeholders not actively involved in the work of the project. Provides continuous process improvement thereby improving the quality of all processes involved, reducing waste and eliminating processes/activities that do not add value. 8
Perform Quality Control Involves the process to monitor and record results of executing the quality activities to assess performance and recommend necessary changes. Quality control activities identify the reasons for poor process or product quality and recommend suitable actions to eliminate or rectify them. Should be performed throughout the project. Please note: Project management team should have working knowledge of statistical quality control, especially sampling and probability, to help evaluate quality control outputs. 9
Cause and effect diagrams Control charts Flowcharting Histogram Pareto Chart Run Chart Scatter Diagram Statistical Sampling Inspection Tools and Techniques used for Performing Quality Control Approved change requests review It is most likely that some questions may be asked in the PMP Certification exam on tools and techniques. So, please spend some time to understand them (PMBOK Guide Fourth Edition pages 208 213). 10