Quality

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Purpose of Quality Theme

The purpose of the Quality theme is to define and implement the means by which the project will create and verify products that are fit for purpose

Quality Theme provides a method to help specify the Quality, to do Quality control, to explain how to get approved, and to facilitate the management of Quality during the project

The ’product focus’ principle is central to PRINCE2’s approach to quality. It provides an explicit common understanding of what the project will create (the scope) and the criteria against which the project’s products will be assessed (the quality). Without this understanding, the project would be exposed to major risks (such as acceptance disputes, rework, uncontrolled change, user dissatisfaction) that could weaken or invalidate the Business Case.

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Definitions

Quality is generally defined as the total amount of features or characteristics of a product, such that it meets expectations and satisfies the stated needs. This might seem a little strange, but think about it for a moment. It is the same as saying that all features of the product have to work as expected for a given amount of time.

Scope is related to the scope of the plan, which is the sum of its products. It is defined using the product breakdown structure and the Product Descriptions. It can be clearly seen that Scope (of the project’s main product) and Quality are tied together.

Quality Management is defined as the activities to direct and control an organization with regard to quality. Some of these activities are: defining quality, quality control, quality assurance, and quality improvement.

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Definitions - Cont....

A Quality Management System is the complete set of quality standards, procedures and responsibilities for a site or organization. Most bigger companies have a Quality Management System in place, so a good first question to ask is “Do you have a QMS that can be used on this project?”

To control Quality, there must be a plan. The Quality plan will include defining the products that make up the main product, their Quality criteria, methods used to check Quality (e.g., a machine that can age the product so as to check how the product will work after 25 years), acceptance criteria and responsibilities (such as personnel responsible for checking and approving).

Quality Control focuses on the techniques and activities to inspect and test products. This would also include looking for ways to constantly improve Quality and remove less-satisfactory performance.

Quality Assurance

This is like Project Assurance but the focus is on Quality in the organization and not just quality related to the project. It is to make sure that the planned Quality activities are done. Quality Assurance

provides a way to get an independent review of the Quality process;

checks to see that it complies with company Quality standards; and

ensures that Quality processes are in place.

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PRINCE2 Approach to Quality

The PRINCE2 approach to Quality has two parts: Quality Planning and Quality Control

Quality Planning

Quality starts with identifying all the products that the project wants to control. Remember that PRINCE2 is focused on the products from the start of the project – or as soon as they can be described and agreed, and before development starts.

The next step is to write a Product Description for each product, which includes Quality criteria, how the products will be assessed, Quality methods to be used to design, develop and accept the products, and the responsibilities of the people involved.

Quality Control

Quality Control implements and tracks the Quality methods used during the project

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