Control Quality Explained
Control Quality is a critical process in project management that involves monitoring and recording results of executing the quality activities to assess performance and recommend necessary changes. This process ensures that the project outputs meet the specified quality standards and that any deviations are promptly addressed.
Key Concepts
1. Quality Standards
Quality Standards are the criteria against which the project's deliverables are measured. These standards ensure that the project outputs meet the required level of quality and are fit for their intended purpose. Quality standards can be defined by industry regulations, customer requirements, or internal organizational policies.
Example: For a software development project, quality standards might include performance benchmarks, user experience guidelines, and compliance with industry coding standards. These standards ensure that the software is reliable, user-friendly, and meets industry best practices.
2. Quality Control Tools
Quality Control Tools are techniques used to monitor and control the quality of project deliverables. These tools include inspection, testing, and statistical sampling. Quality control tools help in identifying defects, assessing performance, and ensuring that the project outputs meet the specified standards.
Example: In a manufacturing project, quality control tools might include visual inspections of products, mechanical testing of components, and statistical sampling to ensure that the production process is within acceptable limits.
3. Inspection
Inspection involves examining project deliverables to determine whether they meet the specified quality standards. This process includes checking for defects, errors, or non-conformities. Inspection can be performed at various stages of the project lifecycle to ensure that quality issues are identified and corrected early.
Example: For a construction project, inspection might involve checking the alignment of walls, the quality of materials used, and the adherence to building codes. These inspections ensure that the construction meets the required standards and is safe for occupancy.
4. Testing
Testing involves evaluating project deliverables to determine whether they meet the specified quality requirements. This process includes functional testing, performance testing, and usability testing. Testing helps in identifying defects, assessing performance, and ensuring that the project outputs are fit for their intended purpose.
Example: In a software development project, testing might include unit testing to verify the functionality of individual components, integration testing to ensure that different modules work together, and user acceptance testing to confirm that the software meets the end-user requirements.
5. Statistical Sampling
Statistical Sampling involves selecting a representative subset of project deliverables to assess the overall quality of the population. This process helps in making inferences about the entire project output based on the sample. Statistical sampling is useful when inspecting the entire population is impractical or cost-prohibitive.
Example: For a manufacturing project, statistical sampling might involve selecting a random sample of products from the production line to check for defects. If the sample meets the quality standards, it is assumed that the entire batch is of acceptable quality.
6. Quality Audits
Quality Audits are systematic, independent examinations of the project's quality management processes to determine whether they comply with organizational policies, procedures, and standards. Quality audits help in identifying areas for improvement, ensuring compliance, and promoting continuous improvement.
Example: In a healthcare project, a quality audit might involve reviewing the documentation of patient care processes, interviewing staff, and observing clinical practices. The audit ensures that the healthcare services meet the required standards and that any non-conformities are addressed.
7. Corrective Actions
Corrective Actions are measures taken to eliminate the causes of identified non-conformities or other undesirable situations. These actions ensure that the project outputs meet the specified quality standards and that similar issues do not recur in the future. Corrective actions are typically documented and implemented as part of the project's quality management plan.
Example: For a software development project, if a defect is identified during testing, corrective actions might include fixing the code, retesting the affected module, and updating the development process to prevent similar defects in the future.