Project Quality Management Overview

Project Quality Management

• Project Quality Management ensures projects meet stakeholder needs.
• ISO defines quality as characteristics satisfying stated/implied needs.
• ISO 9000:2000 defines quality as degree characteristics fulfill requirements.
• Quality is also defined as conformance to requirements (meeting specifications) and fitness for use (usable as intended).

Project Quality Management Processes

• Quality management plans identify relevant standards and methods.
• Metrics provide measurement standards.
• Managing quality involves executing quality management plans.
• Controlling quality monitors project results to ensure quality standards.

Project Quality Management Overview

• Plan Quality Management: Inputs include project charter, project management plan, project documents, enterprise environmental factors, and organizational process assets. Tools/techniques include expert judgment, data gathering, data analysis, decision-making, data representation, and planning. Outputs include quality management plan and project updates.
• Manage Quality: Inputs include project management plan, project documents, and organizational process assets. Tools/techniques include data gathering, data analysis, decision making, data representation, audits, design for X, and problem-solving. Outputs include quality reports, test/evaluation documents, change requests, and project updates.
• Control Quality: Inputs include project management plan, project documents, change requests, deliverables, work performance data, enterprise environmental factors, and organizational process assets. Tools/techniques include data gathering, data analysis, inspection, testing, data representation, and meetings. Outputs include quality measurements, verified deliverables, work performance information, change requests, and project updates.

Planning Aspects of IT Projects

• Functionality: Degree a system performs its intended function.
• Features: Special characteristics appealing to users.
• System outputs: Screens and reports generated.
• Performance: How well a product/service performs.
• Reliability: Ability to perform as expected under normal conditions.
• Maintainability: Ease of maintenance.
• Stakeholders must balance quality, scope, time, and cost.
• Project managers are responsible for quality management.

Managing Quality

• Quality assurance covers activities ensuring relevant quality standards are met.
• Continuous quality improvement (Kaizen) is a Japanese concept.
• Lean maximizes customer value while minimizing waste.
• Benchmarking identifies best practices from other projects.
• Quality audits structured reviews of quality management activities.

Controlling Quality

• Main outputs of quality control include acceptance decisions, rework, and process adjustments.

Tools and Techniques for Quality Control

• Basic quality control tools include cause-and-effect diagrams, control charts, check sheets, scatter diagrams, histograms, Pareto charts, and flowcharts/run charts.

Statistical Sampling

• Sample size formula: .25 x (certainty factor/acceptable error)²
• Commonly used certainty factors are 1.960 for 95%, 1.645 for 90%, and 1.281 for 80%.

Six Sigma

• Six Sigma is a system for achieving business success through understanding customer needs, using data and statistical analysis, and managing/improving processes.
• DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) is a systematic process for continual improvement.

Testing

• Testing is an integral part of the systems development life cycle, occurring throughout, not just at the end.
• Testing aims to ensure products are error-free.
• Watts Humphrey defines defects as anything requiring change.

Types of Tests

• Unit tests: Individual components.
• Integration tests: Functionally grouped components.
• System tests: Entire system.
• User acceptance tests: Conducted by end-users.

Modern Quality Management

• Quality experts, Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, and ISO standards are integral to modern quality management.

Improving IT Project Quality

• Leadership should promote quality, and the costs of quality should be understood.
• Prevention costs are for planning and execution for an error-free project.
• Appraisal costs evaluate processes and outputs to ensure quality.
• Internal costs incur when correcting defects before customer reception.
• External costs relate to errors not detected before delivery.
• Measurement and test equipment costs are associated with prevention/appraisal activities.
• Workplace environment and organization's maturity level contribute to improved software development and project management quality.

This quiz provides insights into Project Quality Management processes and standards, including ISO definitions and quality management plans. Understand the various components such as metrics, quality assurance, and control measures that ensure project success. Test your knowledge on how to effectively manage quality in project management.