What to do

How to do it

1

Identify the overall quality objectives for the project

State t he quality objectives in terms of the project objectives and/or organizational objectives.

Determine quality objectives for the product with the customer.

There may be overall organizational quality objectives or policies that the project can reference.

What to do

How to do it

1

Identify the key project deliverables that will be subject to quality review

The key deliverables are the results that need to be delivered fit-for-purpose as identified in the project charter.

Example project deliverables:

• Project Charter
• The web application
• System Design
• Building blueprint

2

Identify the standards that will be used to evaluate the quality of project deliverables

Identify the relevant deliverable quality standards, or “measures” used to determine a successful outcome for a deliverable.

Ideally your organization has identified quality standards to be applied. If not, determine what you will use for your project.

Example industry quality standards/ methods: TQM, Six Sigma, Quality Gates, SPC, Zero Defects, quality circles, continuous improvement, ISO 9000

Example quality standards for a project deliverable:

• Project Charter format
• Web Interface Standards
• Documentation Standards

3

Identify the completeness and correctness criteria

Completeness and correctness criteria are defined from the customer’s point of view. Work with the customer to define a “complete and correct” deliverable. The deliverables are evaluated against these criteria before they are formally approved.

Example criteria for Project Charter:

• standard template was used for the project charter
• project deliverables are clearly defined.

Example criteria for a product:

• 95% defect free
• All regulatory requirements are met
• All reports and online displays tie out and balance.

4

Describe the Quality Control activities the project will use to ensure quality standards for project deliverables are met

“Quality Control makes sure the results of what you have done are what you expected. Quality control is product oriented.”

Quality control activities are associated with the creation of project deliverables. Quality control prevents and resolves errors in project deliverables. Quality Control verifies that deliverables are of acceptable quality and they meet the deliverable quality standards and the completeness and correctness criteria established.

For each deliverable, describe the quality control activities you will execute.

Example quality control activities:

• Quality control check list
• Deliverable review
• Structured walkthroughs
• Statistical sampling
• Testing process

Determine how often or when the quality control activity will be performed.

Establish the timeframe or recurring frequency for performing the quality control activity.

Examples:
Deliverable Review – at final delivery
Structured Walkthrough – at each module completion

What to do

How to do it

1

Identify the critical project processes that will be subject to quality review

Critical project processes are the activities that must be undertaken correctly and effectively to create the deliverables.

Example project processes:

• Change Management Process

• Communication Process
• Testing Process
• Version Release process

2

Identify the relevant process quality standards for evaluating the quality of the project processes

Identify the relevant process quality standards, or “measures” used to determine a successful outcome for a deliverable.

Ideally your organization has identified quality standards to be applied. If not, determine what you will use for your project.

Example industry quality standards/ methods: TQM, Six Sigma, Quality Gates, SPC, Zero Defects, quality circles, continuous improvement, ISO 9000

A written procedure is also a “standard” that defines the steps to execute a process.

Example standards for a project process:

• The Project Management Framework
• Issue resolution completed in five business days
• Change Control Procedure
• Version Control Procedure

3

Identify stakeholder expectations for project processes

Work with the project stakeholders to define what it means for a project process to meet their expectations. The project process is then evaluated against these expectations.

Example stakeholder expectations:

• Project status will be communicated monthly
• Business subject experts will participate in all requirements- gathering sessions

4

Describe the Quality Assurance activities to be used to ensure the quality standards for project processes are met.

“Quality Assurance makes sure you are doing the right things, the right way. Quality Assurance is process oriented.”

Quality assurance refers to the internal work processes used to manage and deliver the solution. Quality assurance activities make sure project processes used to manage and deliver the project’s product or service are effective and being applied. Quality assurance can be performed by a manager, customer or third-party reviewer or separate quality assurance group.

Example quality assurance activities:

• Quality Assurance Audit
• Quality Assurance Checklist
• Quality Assurance Checkpoints

Example quality audit questions:
For process to create the Project Charter:

• Has the right sponsor been identified and has the sponsor formally approved the charter?
• Did key stakeholders participate?

For Project Reporting process:

• Does each team member produce regular progress reports?

For Product Transition process:

• Did the support team receive training on the new product or service?

5

Determine how often or when the quality assurance activity will be performed.

Establish the timeframe or recurring frequency for performing the quality assurance activity .

Example:
Quality Assurance Audit –Monthly
Quality Assurance Check list – at end of each stage

What to do

How to do it

1

Identify the quality control and quality assurance roles and responsibilities for the project and actual resources assigned

The quality roles and responsibilities were identified in the project charter, and actual resources were assigned in the staffing plan.

2

Identify any quality-related tools used to support quality.

Identify the tools you will use and their purposes or uses .

Example: version control tool

3

Define the quality control and quality assurance problem reporting plan

Describe the plan to itemize, document and track to closure items reported through the quality control and quality assurance activities. 

All problems must be tracked to closure and feedback provided to appropriate stakeholders and the project team concerning the status of the problem.