Quality management: How to deliver high-quality project results

Delivering high-quality results is paramount in project management. Project managers must ensure their projects meet or exceed stakeholder expectations while adhering to budgetary and time constraints. Quality management provides a structured approach to achieving these goals, so what techniques can drive quality?

The importance of delivering high-quality results

Every project manager’s goal is to meet the deliverables, for their own satisfaction of a job well done, but also for the team, clients and customers.

Achieving high-quality results is critical for:

• Stakeholder satisfaction: High-quality results ensure that the project meets the needs and expectations of stakeholders. Satisfied stakeholders are more likely to support the project, provide positive feedback, and engage in future projects
• Project success and reputation: The quality of project deliverables directly impacts the project’s success, and the reputation of the project manager and the organisation. Consistently delivering high-quality results enhances the project manager’s credibility and trustworthiness, which can lead to greater opportunities and long-term success
• Cost and time efficiency: Quality management helps prevent defects and avoids repetition of work to improve standards, which can be costly and time-consuming. By implementing quality control measures throughout the project lifecycle, project managers can identify and address issues early
• Risk mitigation: Quality management reduces the likelihood of errors and failures, which can jeopardise the project’s success. By proactively managing quality, project managers can minimise risks and ensure a smoother project execution
• Employee morale and productivity: When employees see their efforts contributing to high-quality results, their morale and productivity increase. This, in turn, leads to better project outcomes and a more cohesive team

Techniques for executing high-quality results

Define clear quality objectives

From the project’s outset, clear quality objectives that align with stakeholder expectations and project goals must be defined. These objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Clear quality objectives provide a benchmark for evaluating project performance and ensuring deliverables meet the desired standards.

Develop a quality management plan (QMP)

A quality management plan (QMP) outlines the processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality objectives. The QMP should include the following components:

• Quality standards: Define the standards and criteria that the project deliverables must meet
• Quality assurance: Outline the processes for ensuring that quality standards are met throughout the project lifecycle
• Quality control: Detail the methods for inspecting and testing deliverables to identify and address defects
• Roles and responsibilities: Assign responsibilities for quality management to specific team members
• Documentation: Specify the documentation required to track and report quality-related activity

Implement total quality management (TQM)

Total quality management (TQM) is a holistic approach that involves all team members in improving processes and deliverables. TQM focuses on customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, and employee involvement.

Project managers can implement TQM by fostering a culture of quality, encouraging team collaboration, and continuously seeking ways to improve processes and deliverables.

Utilise PRINCE2

A methodology, such as PRINCE2®, creates a systematic process-driven approach to project management, which drives quality. The defined framework, as well as the outlined roles and responsibilities, drive strong quality assurance. Adhering to the principles and practices allows project managers to ensure their projects are delivered with high quality, meeting or exceeding stakeholder expectations.

Implement quality control tools

Quality control tools help project managers monitor and control the quality of deliverables. Common tools include:

• Checklists: Ensure that all required tasks and quality checks are completed
• Pareto charts: Identify the most significant causes of defects
• Control charts: Monitor process performance over time to detect variations
• Fishbone diagrams: Analyse root causes of quality issues

Foster a quality-driven culture

Creating a culture that prioritises quality is crucial for achieving high-quality results. Project managers should:

• Communicate the importance of quality: Ensure that all team members understand the value of delivering high-quality results
• Encourage continuous improvement: Promote a mindset of continuous improvement and innovation
• Recognise and reward quality contributions: Acknowledge and reward team members who demonstrate a commitment to quality

Focusing on quality as a project manager

Quality management is essential for project managers to deliver high-quality results. As project management demands continue to evolve, a strong focus on quality will remain key to achieving project excellence.

If you’re looking to improve the quality of your projects, following a proven project methodology can be a great place to start. The PRINCE2 methodology is known for improving quality by ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the agreed-upon standards.

Source: prince2.com