8 Tools And Techniques For Manage Project Quality
In my previous article, I have looked at some of the inputs for managing project quality for organisations. In this article , we need to look at some of the tools and techniques for manage project quality for projects. Follow me as we are going to look at that together in this project.
Now the tools and techniques…
#1 Data gathering
A data gathering technique that can be used for this process includes checklists. A checklist is a structured tool, usually component-specific ; used to verify that a set of required steps has been performed or to check if a list of requirements has been satisfied.
Based on the project’s requirements and practices , checklists may be simple or complex.
Many organisations have standardized checklists available to ensure consistency in frequently performed tasks. In some application areas, checklists are also available from professional associations or commercial service providers . Quality checklists should incorporate the acceptance criteria included in the scope baseline.
#2 Data Analysis
Data Analysis techniques that can be used for this process include:
Alternative analysis : This technique is used to evaluate identified options in order to select which different quality options or approaches are most appropriate to use.
Document Analysis: The analysis of different documents produced as part of the outputs of project control processes , such as quality reports , test reports , performance reports , and variance analysis , can point to and focus and processes that may be out of control and may jeopardize meeting the specified requirements or stakeholders’ expectation.
Process Analysis: Process analysis identifies opportunities for process improvements. This analysis also examines problems , constraints and non-value added activities that occur during a process.
Root Cause Analysis : Root Cause Analysis is an analytical technique used to determine the basic underlying reason that causes a variance, defect , or risk.
A root cause may underlie more than one variance , defect , or risk. It may also need to be used as a technique fr identifying root causes of a problem and solving them. When all root causes for a problem are removed, the problem does occur.
#3 Decision Making
A decision making technique that can be used for this process include multi-criteria decision analysis.
Multi-criteria decision making is used to evaluate several criteria when discussing alternatives that impact project or product quality.
Project decisions can include choosing among different implementations scenerios or suppliers .
Product decisions can include evaluating the life cycle cost , schedule , stakeholder satisfaction and risk associated with ressolving product defect.
#4 Data Representation
Data representation technique that can be used include:
Affinity diagram : Affinity diagrams can organise potential causes of defects into groups showing areas that should be focused on the most.
Cause-and-effect diagram : Cause-and-effect diagram are also known as fishbone diagrams , or ishikawa diagrams. This type of diagram breaks down the causes of the problem statement identified into discrete branches, helping to identify the main or root cause of the problem.
Flowcharts: It shows a series of steps that can lead to a defect.
Histogram: Histograms show a graphical representation of numerical data. Histogram can show the number of defects per deliverable, a ranking of the cause of defects, the number of times each process is non compliant or other representations of project or product defects.
Matrix diagrams : The matrix diagram seeks to show the strength of relatioships among factors, causes and objectives that exist between the rows and columns that forms the matrix.
Scatter diagrams : A scatter diagrams is a graph that shows the relationship between two variables. Scatter diagrams can demonstrate a relationship between any element of a process, environment, or quality on one axis and a quality one axis and a quality defect on the other axis.
#5 Audit
An audit is a structured , independent process used to determine if project activities comply with organizational and project policies, process , and procedures.
A quality audit is usually conducted by a team external to the project such as the organisation’s internal audit department, PMO, or by an auditor external to the organisation. Quality Audit objectives may include: identifying all good and best practices being implemented . Identifying all nonconformity gaps, and shortcomings; sharing good practices introduced or implemented in similar projects in the organisation and/or industry. Proactively offering assistance in a positive manner to improve the implementation of processes to help raise team productivity and highlighting contributions of each audit in the lesson learned repository of the organisation.
The subsequent effort to correct any deficiencies should result in a reduced coat of quality and an increase in sponsor or customer acceptance of the project’s product. Quality audit may be scheduled or random, and may be conducted by internal or external auditors.
Quality audits can confirm the implementation of approved change requests including updates, corrective actions , defect repair and preventive actions.
Design for X
Design for X (DfX) is a set of technical guidelines that may be applied during the design of a product for the optimization of a specific aspects of the design. DfX can control or even improve the product’s final characteristics.
The X in DfX can be different aspects of product development , such as reliability, deployment , assembly , manufacturing, cost, service, useability, safety and quality.
Using the DfX may result in cost reduction , quality improvement , better performance , and customer satisfaction.
Problem Solving
Problem Solving entails finding solutions for issues issues or challenges . It can include gathering additional information , critical thinking , creative , qualitative and / or logical approaches. Effective and systematic problem Solving is a fundamental element in quality assurance and quality improvement.
Problems can arise as a result of the Control Quality process or from quality audits and can be associated with a process or deliverable.
Using a structured problem-solving method will help eliminate the problem and develop a long-lasting solution. problem-solving methods generally include the following elements: defining the problem, identifying the root cause, generating possible solutions , choosing the best solutions , implementing the solution as well as verifying the effectiveness of the solution.
Quality Improvement methods
Quality improvements can occur based on findings and recommendations from quality control processes, the findings of the quality audits , or problem solving in the manage quality process. Plan-Do-Chexk-Act and Six Sigma are two of the most common quality management tools used to analyse and evaluate opportunities for improvement.