Concepts
Determining the quality standard required for project deliverables is an integral part of project management and crucial for achieving project success. This is particularly vital for anyone studying for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, as it encompasses a considerable portion of the curriculum. To establish an understanding of these standards, it is necessary to identify some key concepts.
Defining Quality Standards for Project Deliverables
Quality standards for project deliverables are the defined criteria that must be met to satisfy the project goals and objectives. These standards result from a combination of external regulations, industry practices, and the organization’s internal standards. The standards can be defined quantitatively (e.g. error rate must be under 5%) or qualitatively (e.g. product must be user-friendly).
Identifying the Quality Standards
Quality standards are generally determined through a combination of customer requirements, stakeholder expectations, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies. In some instances, industry benchmarks or competitor comparisons may also be used. Instituting scorecards or performance matrices, which integrate performance indicators, can be beneficial for setting and monitoring quality standards.
The project management team should document these standards within the project plan and communicate them to all project participants. This documentation process includes defining the acceptable level of variance for each quality standard, to allow flexibility and manage realistic expectations.
Application of Quality Standards
Quality standards inform each phase of the project lifecycle, from planning to execution, control, and closure. During the planning phase, the project manager defines the quality standards based on project objectives and stakeholder requirements. These standards then guide the project team in creating deliverables and service levels during the execution phase.
Throughout the project, the control phase involves regular monitoring and controlling processes to ensure deliverables meet the predefined quality standards. Any observed deviations from these standards should trigger corrective measures to realign the project with the established quality expectations.
During project closure, the successful achievement of quality standards is assessed and documented as part of the project’s final evaluation.
Example: If a software development project specifies a quality standard that the final product should have a system failure rate of less than 0.01% in the first six months of release, this would guide the development and testing processes within the project. Any indication of higher failure rates during testing would necessitate corrective steps to achieve the quality standard.
| Project Phase | Quality Standards Application |
| Planning | Define quality standards based on project objectives and stakeholder requirements. |
| Execution | Quality standards guide in creating deliverables and service levels. |
| Control | Regular monitoring processes to ensure quality standards are met. |
| Closure | Achievement of quality standards is assessed and documented. |
Evaluating Quality Standards
Established quality standards should also be subject to regular reviews, especially in the case of long-term projects. This consistent assessment process helps to identify any potential improvements, to maintain the project’s alignment with business objectives, or to adjust to any changes within the regulatory framework.
In conclusion, while defining the project scope and objectives, it is equally important to determine the quality standards for project deliverables. An effective deployment of these quality standards throughout the project ensures that the project outcomes meet the expectations of stakeholders and comply with organizational requirements. Therefore, an understanding of how to determine and apply these quality standards is crucial for any aspiring PMP professional.
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
True or False: Quality standard helps to ensure that the project deliverables meet the requirements and performance expectations.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Quality standards are set to ensure that project deliverables meet requirements and performance expectations. They are essential to control quality and ensure customer satisfaction.
In the process of project management, which of the following is not part of quality standards?
- a) Performance expectations
- b) Customer satisfaction
- c) Team member’s job satisfaction
- d) Specifications
Answer: c) Team member’s job satisfaction
Explanation: Quality standards primarily address performance expectations, customer satisfaction, and specifications related to project deliverables. However, the job satisfaction of team members is not usually considered as a part of quality standards.
Which association provides internationally recognized quality standards for project management?
- a) PMI
- b) IEEE
- c) WHO
- d) BPOA
Answer: a) PMI
Explanation: PMI, Project Management Institute, is an association that provides internationally recognized quality standards for project management.
True or False: Quality standard is determined on a project-by-project basis and does not require consistency across different projects in the same organization.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Even though each project may have specific quality standards relevant to its scope, organizations should strive for consistency in the application of quality management principles across all projects.
Quality Standards required for project deliverables are determined in which of the following process?
- a) Risk Management
- b) Quality Management
- c) Change Management
- d) Scope Management
Answer: b) Quality Management
Explanation: Quality Standards are determined in the Quality Management process. It includes defining, planning, assuring, managing, and controlling the quality.
True or False: The quality standard required for project deliverables should only be determined by the project manager.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The quality standard required for project deliverables should be determined by the project manager in consultation with the project team, customer, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
Which of the following is not a benefit of determining the quality standard for project deliverables?
- a) Improved customer satisfaction
- b) Increased project cost
- c) Prevention of non-conforming products
- d) Effective project planning
Answer: b) Increased project cost
Explanation: Proper determination of the quality standard for project deliverables can lead to improved customer satisfaction, prevention of non-conforming products, and effective project planning, but it should not increase project costs.
True or False: Quality standard required for project deliverables are agreed upon at the start of the project and cannot be changed midway.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Quality standards can be reviewed and revised throughout the project lifecycle as necessary, although any changes should be managed through the project’s established change control process.
Quality assurance is:
- a) A way to determine quality standards
- b) A process that checks if the project deliverables meet the determined quality standards
- c) Another name for quality control
- d) A stakeholder’s responsibility
Answer: b) A process that checks if the project deliverables meet the determined quality standards
Explanation: Quality assurance is a process that is used to verify if the project deliverables meet the predetermined quality standards.
True or False: Quality standard required for project deliverables should only be based on the organization’s quality policy.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: While the organization’s quality policy will help guide the determination of quality standards, other factors, such as customer requirements and regulatory standards, should also be considered.
The main purpose of determining quality standards for project deliverables is to:
- a) Increase profitability
- b) Ensure customer satisfaction
- c) Increase employee productivity
- d) Create an administrative report
Answer: b) Ensure customer satisfaction
Explanation: Determining quality standards is primarily aimed at ensuring the project’s deliverables meet customer requirements and expectations, hence ensuring customer satisfaction.
True or False: It is sufficient to determine quality standards required for project deliverables without implementing any process to ensure they are met.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Simply determining the quality standards is not sufficient. A quality management process, including quality assurance and quality control, needs to be implemented and monitored to ensure those standards are achieved.
Great article! Determining quality standards is crucial for project success.
Can anyone suggest some best practices for setting quality standards in project deliverables?
Just passed my PMP exam. This blog post was immensely helpful. Thanks!
What methods can be used to measure the quality of project deliverables?
Appreciate the guidance provided here.
Is it necessary to adjust quality standards mid-project?
This was a good read. Thanks for sharing!
Quality standards should be clear and measurable. Any tips on making them more quantifiable?