Chapter 9 - Project quality management

Question 1

What are the three concepts involved in total quality?

Answer 1

• Defects (nonconformities)
• Schedule
• Cost
  (Zero defects can have a negative effect on schedule and cost)

Question 2

What conflict arises in total quality between defects and time/cost dimensions?

Answer 2

If all the focus is put on achieving a project end goal with zero defects, it can incur additional costs and take much longer. In addition, time and schedule management may be neglected. A balance needs to be established between the dimensions of time, cost and defect management

Question 3

What is project quality management?

Answer 3

The management processes and techniques applied to lower the risk of product defects / system not meeting requirements

Question 4

What three processes are involved in project quality management?

Answer 4

• Quality planning
• Quality assurance
• Quality control

Question 5

What is the purpose of quality planning?

Answer 5

• Guide quality of future activities
• Sets requirements and standards that should be met
• Sets actions that should be taken to meet requirements

Question 6

In which areas of project management does quality planning occur?

Answer 6

• Policies and management procedures in the organisation (High level)
• Establish quality plan as part of the project being executed (Project level)

Question 7

What are the two activities that collectively form quality planning on project level?

Answer 7

• Cost-benefit analysis on quality activities (Cost of Quality)
• Setting up the Project Quality Management Plan (PQMP)

Question 8

What is quality assurance?

Answer 8

Assure that activities are performed up to the standard or quality set out in the PQMP

Question 9

What are the two levels at which quality assurance is carried out?

Answer 9

• Making sure current project lives up to standards in PQMP

- Making sure that there is continuous improvement of the current project, for future projects

Question 10

What is quality control?

Answer 10

Ensuring that the quality assurance activities are performed and that all requirements are met. Includes planned quality control and ad hoc problem solving

Question 11

Name three quality assurance techniques

Answer 11

• Configuration management (keeping track of iterations, versions, etc)
• Design reviews
• Audits

Question 12

Describe two quality control techniques

Answer 12

• Final product testing and acceptance (verification that product/system meets specifications
• Use of tools of quality control (eg run chart, Pareto diagram, cause and effect diagram)