What can you do to improve your project quality management skills?

2 Define the quality criteria

The next step is to define the quality criteria for your project deliverables and processes. These are the specific characteristics or attributes that determine the quality of your project outputs and activities. For example, you may have quality criteria for the accuracy, completeness, usability, reliability, or performance of your project deliverables. You may also have quality criteria for the efficiency, effectiveness, or compliance of your project processes. You need to document these criteria in a clear and measurable way, and use them as a basis for your quality planning and control.

3 Plan the quality activities

The third step is to plan the quality activities that you will perform throughout your project lifecycle. These are the tasks or actions that you will take to ensure that your project deliverables and processes meet the quality standards and criteria. For example, you may plan to conduct quality reviews, audits, inspections, tests, or surveys. You may also plan to use quality tools, techniques, or methodologies, such as checklists, flowcharts, Pareto charts, or root cause analysis. You need to identify the resources, time, and budget that you will need for these quality activities, and integrate them into your project plan.

4 Execute the quality activities

The fourth step is to execute the quality activities that you have planned for your project. This means that you need to follow the quality procedures and protocols that you have established, and perform the quality checks and validations that you have scheduled. You need to collect and analyze the quality data and information that you have gathered, and compare them with the quality standards and criteria. You also need to document the results and outcomes of your quality activities, and report them to your project team and stakeholders.

5 Monitor the quality performance

The fifth step is to monitor the quality performance of your project deliverables and processes. This means that you need to track and measure the quality indicators and metrics that you have defined, and evaluate the quality trends and patterns that you have observed. You need to identify the quality issues and problems that may arise, and determine the root causes and impacts of them. You also need to implement the quality improvements and corrections that may be needed, and verify the effectiveness of them.

6 Learn from the quality feedback

The sixth step is to learn from the quality feedback that you receive from your project team, stakeholders, customers, or users. This means that you need to solicit and listen to the quality opinions and suggestions that they may have, and appreciate the quality compliments and recognition that they may give. You need to use the quality feedback as an opportunity to enhance your project deliverables and processes, and to increase your project satisfaction and value. You also need to use the quality feedback as a source of learning and development for your project quality management skills, and to apply the quality lessons and best practices to your future projects.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?