ABSTRACT
Achieving quality is no accident. Before even starting the project, project managers must understand the rigor and tolerance of the project deliverables, so quality can be planned from the beginning. Quality is sometimes obvious; for example, a widget designed for consumer use will probably have a more relaxed tolerance than a similar widget built for military use. But quality can also be more subtle such as the perfect alignment of trim on a Lexus vehicle.
This chapter focuses on understanding, designing, and planning for the appropriate quality level for project deliverables. These include both tangible products and intangible results. This chapter introduces the difference between “fit for purpose” (utility) and “fit for use” (warranty).
This chapter examines the three important questions in quality management:
Why is project quality management important?
What is quality in projects?
How to ensure achieving quality deliverables?
