Six Sigma is a hot buzzword these days, but what is it and how does it really work? In this article I will give you a quick overview and get you grounded in the basics. In reality it takes a week long intensive course to get all the concepts, and requires several months of hands... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
For us engineers, quality is a big deal. Industry standard quality control dictates that most documents and designs require a "second stamp" i.e. a reviewer who takes as much responsibility as the designer. But what does a true project quality management plan look like? In this article, I will talk about project quality from the... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Performing quality assurance ensures that the processes are in place to produce the project deliverables at the applicable level of quality. In the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Quality Assurance is part of the Executing process group and is performed throughout the duration of the project. When quality assurance activities identify a quality problem which... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Controlling the quality of a project's deliverables can be the silver bullet that makes everything else feel easy. Unfortunately, it's often easier said than done but there are tried and true techniques that help you get there. On the flip side, a single poor quality deliverable can create a cycle of low performance, whereby an... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
It's not hard to find projects which were delivered on time and budget, with stakeholders satisfied in every other respect except for the poor quality of the project's deliverables. Usually, this factor alone causes projects to be considered a failure. Quality isn’t just a buzzword in project management—it’s the difference between a deliverable that dazzles... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
The Plan Quality Management process involves the production of a quality management plan as part of the overall project management plan. This plan determines the quality requirements, how they will be measured, and controlled. It can be a subsection of the project management plan or, for larger projects, a stand alone document. The stakeholder list... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
A single poor quality deliverable can not only create an issue with the customer, but initiate an internal cycle of poor quality culture—rippling through teams, eroding trust, and setting a precedent that’s hard to shake. That’s why project quality control isn’t just a checkbox; it’s a safeguard for reputation and morale alike. Luckily, project management... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Project controls are where the project manager makes their money. It is relatively easy to assign someone work. But how do you ensure the quality of that work? That the deadlines are met? Or that the cost is reasonable? A project manager that can control these things is worth their wage in gold. The triple constraints... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Although it isn't in the dictionary, the project management industry uses the term deliverables almost daily. I must say, I am tired of MS Word underlining it as a spelling mistake. Deliverables are the products, services, and results that a project produces. Thus, they are the cornerstone to project success. Every project has to produce something.... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer