Quality Management Processes

Practical Tips

• Build in quality from the ground up: Taking the time to develop SMART criteria for judging quality, and employing a method like QFD to systematically build quality in from the bottom up will help you avoid falling into the trap of gold plating.
• Focus on high-impact items when determining the cost of quality: Rather than trying to measure and track every possible quality-related cost, focus on the processes and activities that have the biggest potential impact in terms of cost and outcome.
• Keep team members and other stakeholders up to date on changes to scope or quality definitions over the course of the project: Effective communication is often the most critical tool for managing quality over the course of a project. Poor communication can lead to incorrect assumptions and rework.
• Be specific about quality requirements: Clearly define what is in scope and what is not in scope so it is clear to everyone involved if the deliverables meet the project requirements.