Process: Plan Quality Management
Process Group: Planning
Knowledge Area: Project Quality Management
Purpose
The Plan Quality Management process involves identifying quality requirements and standards for the project and deliverables, and documenting how the project will demonstrate compliance. It ensures the project meets stakeholder expectations by defining quality objectives, metrics, and assurance strategies early in the lifecycle.
Inputs
- Project Charter – Provides high-level objectives and product definitions that shape quality expectations.
- Project Management Plan – Especially risk, scope, and requirements management plans.
- Project Documents – Assumption log, requirements documentation, and stakeholder register.
- Enterprise Environmental Factors (EEFs) – Industry standards, regulations, and organizational culture.
- Organizational Process Assets (OPAs) – Quality policies, historical metrics, and checklists.
Tools and Techniques
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Expert Judgment – Provided by quality specialists, regulatory consultants, or engineers.
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Data Gathering – Includes benchmarking, interviews, and market research.
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Data Analysis – Cost-benefit analysis, cost of quality (CoQ), and alternatives analysis.
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Decision Making – Used to evaluate trade-offs between quality and cost or schedule.
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Data Representation
- Flowcharts
- Logical data models
- Matrix diagrams
- Mind maps
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Test and Inspection Planning – Determines how deliverables will be verified for quality.
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Meetings – Team and stakeholder discussions to align on expectations and define the quality approach.
Outputs
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Quality Management Plan – Defines:
- Quality standards and objectives
- Roles and responsibilities
- Quality assurance and control activities
- Continuous improvement strategies
- Methods for measuring and reporting quality
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Quality Metrics – Specific measures for evaluating quality performance (e.g., defect frequency, rework time).
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Project Management Plan Updates – Adjustments to the risk, requirements, or stakeholder plans.
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Project Document Updates – Enhancements to the stakeholder register, risk register, and lessons learned register.
Role in the Process Group and Knowledge Area
- Within the Planning Process Group, this process establishes the strategy for achieving and verifying quality.
- As part of Project Quality Management, it ensures that quality is proactively built into the project, not just inspected at the end.
Why It Matters
- Prevents Defects – Ensures quality is planned, not left to chance.
- Reduces Rework – Helps avoid costly corrections and delays later in the project.
- Aligns Expectations – Ensures the team and stakeholders have a shared understanding of what quality means.
- Supports Compliance – Documents how quality standards, industry regulations, and internal policies will be satisfied.