Definition of Quality in Projects
The way to achieve project quality is to make a meaningful and effective transfer of proven quality methods to the project management domain. Primarily let us understand what quality is. Quality may be defined in a number of ways by different organisations and individuals. Let us now discuss those central themes which may be common to all definitions.
- Products: Quality is often associated with products. It is defined in terms of the essential features or attributes of the product or service.
- Defects: a product is said to be as per quality if it is free of defects. For example when we buy a motor bike, we verify that there are no scratches, the headlight and indicators work fine and inspect if there are any cracks in the mirror and all parts of the bike are in correct condition and working fine.
- Processes: A product user focuses more on how the product performs, rather than how it was produced. The process that produces the product has a direct effect on the product itself. The process quality is a concern for the project manager and the project team. The product or service delivered may give the customer partial satisfaction, but when quality is considered during the process of production of product or service, it will help the project team be on schedule and budget and as per quality and also result in complete customer satisfaction.
- Customers: People who sell what they make have a product specific view of quality. This view of quality has a short-term benefit, but in the long run it may not be beneficial. What is the point, if a manufacturing industry produces the best carburetor if there is no one to buy the product? People who make what customers want to buy have a different perception of quality. In this perception, quality is defined by customers, their needs, requirements and expectations.
- Systems: A system is a group of components that work together. Quality may be viewed as arising from things that work together. The different parts of the system that generates quality are products, defects, processes and customers. Project or development team, suppliers, policies and organisations are also parts of the system.