Manage Quality process was introduced in PMBOK 6. This process replaced the ‘Perform Quality Assurance’ process under the Executing process group. Although Manage Quality is also sometimes called Quality Assurance (PMBOK does that too) but Manage Quality covers a broader area. Below is the PG-KA mapping for your reference,
First of all, this process is all about translating the Quality Management Plan into executable quality activities that incorporates the organization’s quality policies into the project. This process helps in increasing the probability of meeting the quality objectives as well as identifying ineffective processes and the causes of poor quality.
It should be noted that the Manage Quality process actually uses the data and results from the Control Quality process to represent the overall quality status of the project to the stakeholders. Yes, Control Quality process falls under Monitoring and Controlling process group but the processes listed in the PG-KA mapping do not necessarily follow a sequence. Also, Manage Quality is something that is performed throughout the project and falls under the conformance work in the cost of quality framework
Difference between Manage Quality and Quality Assurance
We did earlier touched on the fact that Manage Quality is also called Quality Assurance but the focus of Quality Assurance is on the processes used in the project. Manage Quality, on the other hand, in addition to Quality Assurance activities, is also concerned with the product design aspects and process improvements.
Manage Quality Process – Inputs
If you have read the previous knowledge areas, you are already aware of most of the inputs of the Manage Quality process,
- Project Management Plan
- Project Documents like Lessons Learned, Quality Metrics
- Organizational Process Assets
Manage Quality Process – Tools and Techniques
The tools and techniques of manage quality process are as follows,
1. Data Gathering
Data Gathering includes, but is not limited to, the use of checksheets. Many organizations have standardized checklists to ensure the consistency in frequently performed tasks. Note that the quality checksheets or checklists should also include the acceptance criteria included in the baselined scope
2. Data Analysis
Data Analysis is basically a combination of several techniques like Alternatives Analysis, Process Analysis, RCA or Root Cause Analysis. Root Cause Analysis is used to determine the underlying reason that causes a problem. If you could remove all the root causes of a problem, it wouldn’t occur
3. Decision Making
There could be several different kinds of decision making techniques at play here. Multicriteria decision analysis, project or product decisions and also the Group Decision Making Techniques
4. Data Representation
Data Representation involves all the seven basic quality tools
5. Audits
During the course of the project, you will encounter different types of audits, one of them is a Quality Audit. This is a process used to determine if the project activities comply with organizational policies, processes and procedures. Typically such audits are conducted by a team external to the project. For example, organization’s internal audit department, PMO or even an auditor external to the organization.
An audit report is typically generated citing any non-conformance and must then be addressed by the project team. The subsequent corrective effort results in reduced cost of quality and an increase in customer acceptance. Quality audits can be scheduled or random
6. Design for X
Design for X, also referred to as DfX, is a set of technical guidelines that may be applied during the design of a product. This will help optimize a certain aspect of the design. The X in DfX can represent reliability, deployment, manufacturing, cost, quality etc. Thus using DfX may result in cost reduction, quality improvement or better performance in general
7. Problem Solving
Problem Solving is as simple as it sounds. It is all about finding solutions for project issues or challenges. It involves defining the problem, conducting RCA, coming up with possible and alternate solutions and then choosing the best one, implementing the solution and finally verifying its effectiveness
8. Quality Improvement Methods
PDCA cycle and Six Sigma are two of the most common quality improvement tools that are used to analyze and evaluate opportunities for improvements. Quality audits can also result in quality improvements
Manage Quality Process – Outputs
The most important output of this process is the Quality Report. Let’s look at all the outputs,
- Quality Reports – This can be graphical, numerical or qualitative. The information in the report can be used for process improvement or by other departments to take corrective actions to achieve project quality expectations. The information in this report includes process, project and product improvements, corrective action recommendations and summary of the findings of the control quality process
- Test and Evaluation Documents
- Change Requests
- Project Management Plan Updates
- Project Document Updates
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