Overview: Project Quality Management
Project Quality Management involves the processes for incorporating the organization’s quality policies into the project, ensuring that both processes and deliverables meet stakeholder expectations and agreed-upon standards.
Purpose
The purpose of Quality Management is to:
- Ensure that the project meets defined quality standards
- Promote consistency and predictability in outputs
- Prevent defects through proactive planning and process control
- Encourage continuous improvement in both deliverables and team performance
It focuses on both product quality and process quality throughout the project lifecycle.
Key Characteristics
- Emphasizes prevention over inspection
- Built on continuous feedback and learning
- Involves the whole team in maintaining standards
- Applies to both project processes and final deliverables
Core Processes in Project Quality Management
| Process | Process Group | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Quality Management | Planning | Identifies applicable quality standards and how to meet them. |
| Manage Quality | Executing | Ensures quality requirements and standards are integrated into processes. |
| Control Quality | Monitoring and Controlling | Inspects deliverables and verifies they meet quality criteria. |
Why Project Quality Management Matters
- Prevents Rework and Waste – Reduces time and cost by identifying issues early.
- Builds Stakeholder Confidence – Demonstrates professionalism and reliability in outcomes.
- Improves Processes – Encourages teams to evolve and streamline how work is done.
- Ensures Compliance – Meets regulatory, contractual, and customer requirements.
Key Tools and Concepts
- Cost of Quality (CoQ)
- Cause-and-effect diagrams
- Control charts
- Checklists and audits
- Quality metrics and tolerances
- Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen (continuous improvement frameworks)
Interactions with Other Knowledge Areas
- Scope & Schedule Management – Ensures deliverables meet defined acceptance criteria on time.
- Risk Management – Identifies quality-related risks and mitigation strategies.
- Procurement Management – Verifies quality of goods and services acquired externally.
- Stakeholder Management – Aligns quality expectations with stakeholder needs.
Project Quality Management ensures that the project delivers fit-for-purpose results while optimizing how that work is accomplished.